Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division fosters holistic health through group exercise
The Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division, or OKFRWD, is pioneering the way for first responders’ holistic well-being, using group fitness as a catalyst for deeper transformation – and BeaverFit equipment to conduct it. At the core of their mission lies one word: resiliency. Encompassing body, mind and spirit, the Division uses structured workouts and communal activities to not only promote healthier lifestyles, but to provide a platform for building trust and camaraderie. Danny Long, director of OKFRWD, called group fitness a bridge-builder. “It builds trust when you’re spending that amount of time together. Even if you’re not talking, even if you’re just there suffering through a workout together, it’s one of the best bridges for trust I can think of.” As a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, Long experienced firsthand the challenges faced by the first responder community, which extend far beyond physical dangers. While leading outdoor workouts with his team during the pandemic, he began noticing that physical fitness wasn’t the only thing coming out of the group exercise sessions. “I started keeping track of all the follow-up conversations post-workout,” he said. “What is counseling? What else can we do to improve our home life? Where can we get help financially? All these questions started coming in, and I knew it all had to be tied directly into one wellness program.” How a unique approach went beyond an equipment purchase A significant milestone in OKFRWD’s journey was the acquisition of 12 BeaverFit Performance Lockers and four Beyond Trailers, funded through the Department of Public Safety, making functional fitness more accessible for first responders throughout the state. The Performance Lockers create an outdoor training environment with a fully-loaded container gym, and the mobile fitness trailers bring a gym on wheels wherever it is needed – whether that be an event, a training, a conference, or a deployment. While enhancing physical fitness is indeed a primary objective, the ultimate goal is to foster a sense of community and connection among first responders, Long explained, which then opens the door for meaningful conversation and assistance in other areas of overall well-being. Along with the increased physical fitness component, OKFRWD integrated mental health seamlessly into its program, offering an hour of mental health training alongside prescribed workouts. This creates a unique opportunity for first responders to complete their state-mandated mental health training outside of a traditional classroom setting. Moreover, OKFRWD incorporated sleep treatment beds, neurological stimulation, financial classes tailored for first responders, and more, to their comprehensive approach to wellness. “What we’re really about is preventative maintenance versus needing a rescue when your house is on fire,” Long said. “The byproduct is a healthier, more capable first responder.” The impact of the initiative is palpable. Counselor workloads have quadrupled in response to increased demand, signaling a growing acceptance and utilization of mental health services among first responders. And the deployment of mobile fitness trailers has not only facilitated physical training on-the-go, but also served as a platform for mental health awareness and support. Planting a seed for future growth “Being able to help OKFRWD push this initiative and impact lives for the better goes right along with our mission at BeaverFit,” said CJ Kostranchuk, director of key accounts, BeaverFit. “Our motto is ‘Winning Matters’ – what matters here is the human life, and winning means being able to get them the resources they need. We’re excited to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves.” Now, other state agencies are reaching out to OKFRWD for guidance on how they can start similar initiatives, and how they can receive funding for their own BeaverFit equipment. “The holistic approach – that’s the funding right there,” Long explained, noting there are government grants focused on health and wellness for the first responder community. “Focus on health and wellness. Yes, BeaverFit is a huge part of this and why it’s working, but it’s not just about working out.” “What we’re doing here collectively is planting a seed, and over the next few years we’re going to see that seed grow and replicate elsewhere,” he added. “It’s going to be a game changer,” Kostranchuk agreed. Learn more about the OKFRWD mission or get in touch by visiting their website, and see how they’re putting their BeaverFit units in action by following them on Instagram. Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter
UCSD, Clemson expand campus rec offerings with BeaverFit
The University of California San Diego is the latest college campus to get Dam Strong with the addition of a BeaverFit Performance Locker to their outdoor fitness space. Just several months prior, Clemson University expanded their own campus recreation offerings with the purchase of a Beyond Trailer. These two schools join dozens more who have upgraded their programming with innovative outdoor and mobile solutions by BeaverFit. “We continue to see colleges, universities and even high schools lead the way with outdoor fitness, as they seem to really grasp the value it provides to their students, faculty and community,” said Nick Vay, VP of commercial sales at BeaverFit. “Not only does it solve a common problem – growing student populations but limited and often aging recreation space – but it brings students together and forms connections, having an impact on their health and wellbeing.” Clemson University Beyond Trailer Benefits of campus recreation According to a report compiled by NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, student participation in campus recreation activities is linked to: + Higher grade point averages than nonparticipants + Favoring a healthy lifestyle after college + Greater benefits to overall wellness including physical/psychosocial health and learning outcomes Additionally, campus recreation programming has a positive impact on student retention. University of San Diego: Performance Locker UCSD found BeaverFit through Advanced Exercise, commercial fitness facility provider and trusted distributor for BeaverFit, while searching for a weatherproof integrated storage solution and rustproof squat racks able to withstand the outdoor elements, especially for a campus that is just miles from the ocean. “What we found in the Performance Locker checked all the boxes,” said Alexia Cervantes, associate director of recreation, fitness and wellness at UCSD. “The ability to customize the color and add our logo was another big factor in choosing BeaverFit.” UCSD Performance Locker The solution for UCSD includes a 20’ Performance Locker with custom rigging on three sides providing the ability for both standard strength training and functional training. The Locker features a roll-up door for easy and secure access to equipment stored inside. The custom rigging creates dedicated spaces for squats, bench press, pull-ups, dips and more. “The Performance Locker meets our storage and training needs and looks amazing. People are drawn to it. Our usage at the Triton Fit Park has increased since installing it,” Cervantes said. “If you are considering developing or refurbishing an outdoor fitness space, I recommend you consider BeaverFit. They have many customizable solutions and a great team of dedicated professionals.” Alexia Cervantes Associate Director, Recreation, Fitness and Wellness, UCSD Previous Next Clemson University: Beyond Trailer Clemson University opted for a mobile solution, the Beyond Trailer, to meet students wherever they are on campus. The Beyond Trailer “gave us an outlet to provide fun fitness programming across our community, complementing our efforts to engage students in diverse ways,” said Kelly Bardusk, director of external relations for Clemson University Campus Recreation. “We can go to them and provide them an opportunity to learn and connect,” added Tabitha Cooper, wellbeing coordinator. “Our focus is to increase and improve the wellbeing on our campus. Here, we pair the outdoors with physical activity.” Previous Next The Beyond Trailer 12’ trains 30+ individuals at once with fold-out strength racks, adjustable pull-up bars and roll-up doors for easy equipment access. Superior weatherproofing including hot-dip galvanized racks and powder coating means the Beyond Trailer may be used outdoors in any element. “The quality of the product, the support and resources that are included with the purchase, and the overall excitement around being active and outdoors is amazing.” Tabitha Cooper Wellbeing Coordinator, Clemson University Campus Recreation “Whether it’s one of our Performance Lockers, Shred Sheds or Beyond Trailers, we really value and love the work we get to do with campus rec programs,” Vay said. “It’s ultimately about getting more people healthy, moving and outdoors, and by working with schools to expand and bring their fitness offerings outside, or on the road, we can help them bring these visions to life.” Looking to expand your offerings into the outdoors? Check out our most popular outdoor solutions. Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter
BeaverFit introduces Beyond Trailer 8’ to mobile training line
The new Beyond Trailer 8’ is here from BeaverFit, the leaders in outdoor fitness. This innovative mobile solution allows fitness professionals, clubs and facilities to expand training to new locations without expanding their real estate footprint.
BeaverFit supports Hurricane Ian recovery teams with mobile training
FORT MYERS BEACH, Florida – When an incident commander reached out to see if a portable gym could be provided for first responders assisting with recovery efforts in the town of Fort Myers Beach, BeaverFit answered the call. After Hurricane Ian ravaged the town in September 2022, incident management teams belonging to the Federal Emergency Management Agency were deployed and set up camp to begin the ongoing recovery process. Working long days and nights, many away from home and their families, firefighters and contractors had an additional obstacle to tackle – the hurricane destroyed the two local fire stations, leaving no place for physical training. “I saw a need for the first responders, the contractors, and the people who had been through a disaster,” said Scott D’Angelo, incident commander for the Hurricane Ian recovery process in Fort Myers Beach. “I saw a need to workout, because that helps with stress, fatigue and establishing a normal routine.” As a retired firefighter himself, D’Angelo said he viewed this as an opportunity to give back to the community of first responders. He knew about BeaverFit because of previous support to the firefighting community, but he was shocked when they actually approved his request. “The island is completely destroyed. We have a command post set up with local, state, federal and fire rescue personnel. Could BeaverFit donate a portable gym so some of the members living in our camp can get a workout in? We are working 12-18 hour days and this would help a lot of people out,” D’Angelo’s request read. When the request reached Nick Vay, vice president of commercial sales at BeaverFit, he was excited about the prospect of supporting the mission. In an effort to find the quickest and most efficient way to support the request, Vay proposed the Beyond Trailer 12′ – a “gym on wheels” that provides an innovative mobile training solution combining training rigs and equipment storage. One week later, BeaverFit shipped a trailer from Nevada to Florida for a 90-day lease at no cost. “When we received the original request, we immediately went into action to figure out how we could assist, and quickly, as time was of the essence,” Vay said. “We obviously do quite a bit of work in this community, so it was super important to our team to step up and support all the great things they’re doing down there.” Featuring two folding strength racks that can be set-up by a single user in a few minutes with no tools required, the 12-foot Beyond Trailer creates a fully mobile training center for up to 30 people. The Beyond Trailer unit was also fully stocked with Grey Man Gear equipment and accessories, providing barbells, bumper plates, medicine balls, kettlebells and more for the first responders to use during their group workouts. “The people who used it enjoyed it,” D’Angelo said of the trailer. “It’s a huge hit with this population. It’s like candy – everybody who sees it wants it.” Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter