Police often get a bad rap for being out of shape after eating too many doughnuts, but the Fort Worth Police Department is helping its officers lose weight and build muscle.
The police academy developed a program this year to help veteran officers shape up. The short, high-intensity workout combines everything from strength training to cardio.
Sgt. Ann Gates, a motorcycle officer, is tacking the new "metabolic conditioning" class.
"As I've gotten older, I've kind of let myself go," she said.
But Gates said she is determined to get back into shape.
"There was a time when I was very physically active," she said.
Gates, who joined the Fort Worth Police Department 28 years ago, said she wants to be healthy and live longer.
The police academy developed Met-Con this year to help veteran officers shape up. The short, high-intensity workout combines everything from strength training to cardio.
Officer Buck Wheeler said just about anyone can do the workout.
"Quite a bit of this stuff is done just with body weight alone, a lot of functional movements," he said.
He said much of it can be done in short periods of time and at home.
Fort Worth's program is modeled after fitness program CrossFit, which has become popular among police and fire departments and military units.
The daily training involves rapid fire exercises with few breaks. The exercises include free weights, kettle-bells and old-fashioned calisthenics.
Gates said she often struggles to finish.
"Sometimes you want to give up, and when you have someone telling you to keep going, that makes a difference," she said.
But she said she has already seen amazing results after just a few months.
"I've lost some weight; I've lost some body fat," Gates said. "I feel much better -- more energetic."
She said the program has improved her life, which is why she keeps going.
More information on CrossFit can be found at www.crossfit.com.
