Ansbach fitness centers allow boots in gym, 24/7 access to locker rooms

Posted by author February 19, 2025 Fitness

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USAG Ansbach fitness centers now allow Soldiers to enter the weight area while wearing Army uniform boots. Additionally, locker rooms and showers will now be available at all times. The new measures were taken to provide more capabilities for Soldiers to improve themselves.
(Photo Credit: Ianis Catalin Ionita, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs)

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ANSBACH, Germany — The fitness centers here now allow Soldiers to enter the weight area while wearing Army uniform boots, according to new guidance directed by the sports & fitness director.

The new measures were taken to provide more capabilities for Soldiers to improve themselves, said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Seelow, the Garrison Command Sergeant Major.

Additionally, the facilities’ locker rooms and showers will now be available at all times, said Chris Cornelison, the Sports & Fitness Director. In the past, they were closed outside of staffed business hours.

Prior to the change, Soldiers had to carry an extra pair of shoes to access the fitness facility.

“It was a barrier to have an additional set of footwear,” Seelow said. “One it takes time, and two it takes additional resourcing. And if you by chance forgot footwear that morning, you were out of luck.”

“The biggest beneficiary to the change with the boots is going to be the Soldiers that come in at lunchtime,” Cornelison said.

Cornelison said the expanded service enables Soldiers to hit the weight room for a quick 30-minute workout and then go grab a bite to eat before going back to work.

The new boot policy only applies to active-duty personnel in their Army Combat Uniform.

While Soldiers can now wear boots in the weight room areas, they cannot wear boots in cardio areas or on the basketball court to preserve the integrity of both the cardio equipment and basketball courts.

“It’s only for the weight room areas in both Katterbach and Illesheim facilities,” Cornelison said.

These improvements apply to Bunch Fitness Center at Storck Barracks and Katterbach Fitness Center at Katterbach Kaserne.

Soldiers and civilians who use the fitness center can raise any problems or concerns regarding locker room access on USAG Ansbach’s Interactive Customer Evaluation, or ICE, Cornelison said.

Editor’s note: Ianis Catalin Ionita is an apprentice on a 36-month apprenticeship program at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach. He will learn and work in the Public Affairs Office from January – March 2025.