How Fitness is Helping Military Veterans

Today, more than 13 million people have posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Studies show that one in 13 people in the U.S. will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives.

We hear the term all the time, but PTSD can shape itself in many ways so it’s not always easy to identify.

Common symptoms of PTSD include:

• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Insomnia
• Avoidance of similar situations, things or places
• Feeling jumpy, tense, restless, angry and confused

However, a recent study found that 70% of respondents said fitness helped them deal with stress, even saying that “Physical fitness influences stress reactions to extreme military training.”  

Exercise can serve as a familiar coping mechanism for members of the military, who are accustomed to rigorous physical activity. By maintaining some of these habits, you can bring familiarity back to body, heart and mind and help yourself enjoy a better quality of life.

How fitness makes a difference

Fitness significantly aids in your readjustment to civilian life after service or deployment. 

Fitness and exercise have been proven to:

• Improve mood 
• Advance cognitive abilities 
• Improve sleep quality
• Increase energy levels
• Promote weight loss

Exercise is one of the best tools for veterans, with several federal programs dedicated to health and wellness for military and veteran members. 

Society of Behavioral Medicine

For example, the Wounded Warrior program heavily utilizes fitness to help veterans with PTSD, citing benefits that include emphasized peer support, consistent routine and supervisory support. 

The study shows that participants are happier and healthier from the consistent exercise, having a positive impact on issues like depression and irritability. 

Katherine Hall, Ph.D., a research health scientist at the Durham VA Health Care System, explains that fitness becomes more important as we age. “Older veterans with PTSD are showing up on our door more deconditioned and more frail than older veterans without PTSD, largely due to a lack of exercise,” she says.  

To help address this issue, the VA recommends health and wellness for older veterans.

At Gronk Fitness, we have several ways to help you step up your fitness game so you can begin living a healthier, happier life.

Let’s begin.

How Gronk Fitness can help military veterans

At Gronk Fitness, we understand first-hand the importance of what fitness can do for your life. We work with the fitness industry’s leading experts to provide a combination of whole-body machines, weights and accessories that will ensure that you get the workout you need, regardless of how long it’s been since you’ve seen the gym.

These are some of our top picks for military and veteran workouts.

Inertia Wave, Gronk Fitness Edition

The affordable solution to get you back on track without delay. Flexible and convertible, you can use these anywhere as a stationary or portable device. Either way, it’s a full-body workout with a particular focus on your core to keep you strong from the inside out. Available in blue and red to keep the patriotism flowing in full force at home.

Ab Amigo

This is the easiest, most convenient solution to core building, serving as the perfect helper to achieve that six-pack of days past while lowering lower back injuries. There are three forms:  the doorway-mounted, wall-mounted and doorway sit-up assist. Choose the format that works best for you and get to work.

Jacobs Ladder - Gronk Edition

This is a beast of a machine built to evoke the warrior within. This non-motorized treadmill uses a continuous loop that adapts to your movement for a self-paced workout that will meet you step for step.

Gronk Champion Rower

Built of solid ash hardwood, this machine offers built-in, self-regulating resistance to work all muscle groups for the hearty full-body workout that you need. It’s a no-impact machine that’s non-loadbearing, which means it’s easy on the body and gentle on those joints. With an optional heart rate monitor, you can really keep an eye on those health stats. Available in both 38” and 42” inseam. 

WaterRower Club Rowing Machine with S4 Monito

To mimic the physical and physiological benefits of rowing, use the patented WaterFlywheel that emulates the real-life dynamics of rowing on water. Plus, we incorporate special finishing touches like handcrafted Ashwood and a black and rose stain with a danish oil rub.

Gronk Fitness Cast Iron Kettlebells

Iron ore presents a solid design with single-piece casting that’s available from 4 KG to 40 KG. These weights feature color-coded rings that make it super-easy to identify weights when you’re in a hurry or deep in the zone. 

Let’s get started

Military life is something you can’t quite fully appreciate until you have lived it, but at Gronk Fitness, we make health and wellness a priority every day in everything that we do. From conditioning and weight lifting to full-body machines, we’ve got everything you need to help you get back on the fitness track.