MindGym strengthens mental readiness for airmen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE - Soft, peaceful sounds fill the room as reflective walls glow with calming light. Guided prompts encourage focus while a biosensor monitors cognitive performance. Inside the MindGym, airmen step away from the demands of the mission for a few minutes to strengthen one of their most important assets: their minds.

Located at the McAdoo Fitness Center at Minot Air Force Base, the MindGym is an immersive cognitive training system designed to help airmen regulate stress, improve focus and develop mental fortitude. Developed by Lumena Inc., the virtual mental fitness trainer combines mindfulness exercises with advanced technology to provide users with personalized feedback on their mental performance.

Each 10- to 20-minute session takes place inside a 7-by-7-foot reflective cube, where low lighting, calming music and guided exercises create an environment designed to promote relaxation and concentration. Participants wear an electroencephalogram (EEG) biosensor headband that assess brain functions, providing insight into areas such as task management, mental clarity and relaxation.

"Mental readiness is just as important as physical readiness," said Senior Airman Matthew Chan, 5th Force Support Squadron fitness center specialist. "The MindGym gives airmen a dedicated space to strengthen their ability to manage stress, improve focus and build the resilience needed to perform our mission.”

The MindGym is divided into three phases: peace, mental training and performance enhancement. This allows users to practice mindfulness while tracking changes in stress levels and cognitive performance throughout each session. Results are provided at the end of the training, giving participants actionable insights to help improve focus and resilience over time.

As part of a partnership between Lumena Inc. and Air Force Global Strike Command, the MindGym supports the command’s commitment to developing mentally strong, mission-ready airmen through mental fitness training.

"After a session in the MindGym, I feel more relaxed, focused and prepared to take on whatever challenges come next," said Airman 1st Class Luke Mazoch, 5th Force Support Squadron fitness center specialist. "It gives me a chance to reset, clear my mind and return to the mission with a stronger sense of focus."

According to Lumena, studies conducted at Hill AFB, Utah, found that military members who used the MindGym improved task completion by 29% and stress management by 61%.