Submitted by admin on Thu, 2005-10-06 20:00. ::
Diet pills and crash diets may help students temporarily shed unwanted pounds, but they can be unhealthy or even dangerous. The new $8.3 million Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center offers students ways to get fit the right way, the healthy way.
Unlike pills and crash diets, exercise has many benefits besides weight loss. According to a report by the Surgeon General, exercise can increase energy and self-esteem and combat depression, heart disease and bad cholesterol.
However, before beginning a workout routine, students are encouraged to stop by the fitness assessment lab to set up a proper exercise plan. For $15, students can get a fitness assessment, which includes body fat composition, blood pressure and heart rate readings and flexibility and endurance tests. Using this and other information provided by the student, a exercise prescription can be made to help students reach their goals.
Laura Bee, a junior in secondary education, stated that she "had no idea where to start" so she headed to the fitness assessment lab. After taking the fitness assessment, she purchased a personal training package to help keep her motivated.
Bee is not the alone when it comes to needing motivation. According to the American Heart Association, only 50 percent of those who begin a workout program are still committed six months later. To help, the WRAC offers personal trainers that keep students motivated. The one-on-one attention also helps students reach their goals faster. Students can purchase one session at a time or packages that include 3 to 16 sessions.
Students can also partake in any of the nearly 20 group exercise classes offered. For a high intensity workout try a spin, power abs or boot camp class. To increase strength and toning check out Pilates, yoga and power flex. The classes run 50 minutes long and are held from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. so that all students can find something that will fit their schedule.
For a more casual workout, students can visit the volleyball, badminton, basketball and racquetball courts. Equipment for these can be checked out from the front desk. Currently, there are two basketball courts open, with an additional two scheduled to open soon.
The WRAC also has an indoor track, free weight and strength machine rooms, and cardio area. Andrew Moon, a nursing major sophomore explains "The weight room has anything you would want to work out with and it's big enough that you are not bumping into other people".
Education is a large part of getting and staying fit, so every month a wellness seminar is offered for students. The first seminar, "Become a Healthier You," was held on September 28th. E-mails are sent to students announcing upcoming seminars.
This seasons pumpkin pie and holiday cookies will leave many with an unwanted present, extra weight. However, taking part in all that the WRAC has to offer can help keep extra holiday weight at bay, making the next swimsuit season a little less stressful.
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