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Fitness services
If you have fitness questions or would like help in reaching your fitness goals, the Wildcat Personal Trainers are the way to go! Enjoy a one-on-one workout in our private personal training studio and challenge your body to achieve goals you never thought were possible.
Choose from a variety of packages when you sign up! Packages range from a simple quick start to 18 one-hour training sessions. All initial sessions require a fitness assessment to aid your trainer in creating an adequate fitness plan specific to your individual goals. There is no time like now to start practicing healthy lifestyles that will prevent the diseases of tomorrow. Catch the "health bug" TODAY!
Rec Fest, Sep 2, 6-8 pm, at the rec complex
Join Rec Services and their wellness crew of instructors and trainers for an evening of energy, enthusiasm, and exercise in its most enjoyable forms -- personal training and group fitness classes!
You'll be able to sample one or all of the featured group fitness sessions in a speedy 15-minute class or have your fitness level and body composition tested while viewing the improved personal training studio. Prepare to be entertained and recharged for a triumphant year of health and fitness!
Fitness facts
Fitness and exercise importance
by Melissa Haug, assistant director of fitness
You've read it before, either in my column or perhaps from a different media source, but it should come as no surprise; a physically active lifestyle is the latest trend. It's one tendency worth copy-catting; come on, everyone's doing it!
Researchers predicted last Wednesday that if sedentary lifestyle continue as the American norm, thus causing weight gain to continue, "fat" will be the norm by 2015; with 75 percent of US adults overweight and 41 percent obese.
Studies show that 66 percent of US adults were overweight or obese in 2003 and 2004. Sixteen percent of US children and adolescents are overweight, and 34 percent are at risk of becoming overweight, according to federal government figures.
Studies suggest that obesity is likely to continue to increase, and if nothing is done, it will soon become the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
That being said, preventing obesity and becoming physically active should be at the top of your priority list, or at least be included on your daily to-do's in all capital letters, bold writing, and an exclamation mark!
Not only do we know that exercise prevents future disease states and disorders, as well as decreases the aging process, but recent studies have also shown that regular activity can improve symptoms of depression in people who've failed to get better with antidepressant medication.
Several other studied proved that those individuals involved in daily exercise routines are less likely than couch potatoes to even suffer symptoms of depression. Exercising makes you feel better, not only mentally, but physically too!
The new findings suggest that exercise can even help people whose symptoms have been resistant to medication
In one particular study, the exercisers did moderate-intensity physical activity two times a week for just one hour, using cardio-fitness machines. The results were astounding, just proving that even the most minimal amount of exercise can provide you with health perks.
There are several theories on why exercise might improve depression and mood. Researchers suggest that physical activity seems to affect some key nervous system chemicals, such as norepinephrine and serotonin. These specific bodily chemicals are the targets of antidepressant drugs, which help protect nerve cells from injury and transmit signals in brain regions related to a feel-good mood.
Besides for the perks of being physically active on your own, individuals participating in group exercise of any kind tend to feel better from simply being with other people during their exercise experience. Basically, having an exercise buddy helps not only in the motivation aspect of physical activity, but also in the celebration of success and goal achievement.
Don't let yourself slip into an obestiy statistic, if anything, strive to make "physically fit individuals" the majority in the American population. Find a friend and get active today, not tomorrow; it just might change your mood on exercise.
Working it out
Fall 2008 is a perfect time to incorporate cardio & strength into your daily workout routine! Don't want to create a workout yourself? This semester let one or all of our group fitness classes inspire! Try new classes such as:
Step Energy: Enjoy a heart pumping cardio workout stepping up and down a platform. Moderately challenging choreography will be utilized (All levels)
Kwik Kick: Love kickin' it and getting your workout done early in the day? Then this is the perfect class for you! It is a high-intensity kick class that will keep your heart pumpin' and your feet movin'. It takes only 45 minutes out of your morning!
Shape & Sculpt: Strength training workout for all the major muscle groups of the human body. Involves the use of free weights, barbells, and body weight. (All levels)
Resistance Toning: In a time crunch? Get toned quickly with a 40-minute balanced workout geared towards sculpting and toning all muscles, while utilizing resistance tubing, resistance cuffs, and body stabilization. (Low impact, all levels)
Body Boot Camp: An alternative to choreographed classes, bootcamp offers hard core drills and challenging athletic movement. Burn calories, build strength, and increase stamina. A great class for men and women of all fitness levels. (All levels, intense)
Aqua Sculpt: A great workout that utilizes water resistance and aqua dumbbells while minimizing the impact on all joints, including the spine. (All levels)
Shallow H2O Circuit: Enjoy circuit training with high energy exercises in chest-deep water. This is a great way to sculpt your body while getting a cardio workout.
Deep H2O Aerobics: Combines water buoyancy and resistance for zero impact. (All levels, high intensity)
Cycle & Abz: A balanced workout providing 45 minutes of riding and 15 minutes of intense core training. (All levels)
BOSU Bootcamp: An integrative workout utilizing BOSU balance trainers. Workout will consist of cardiovascular training, strength training, agility and balance. BOSU is a very functional way of training, providing a total body workout with a special emphasis on core training. (All levels, intense)
BOSU Mind & Body: A 40-minute ride followed by 20 minutes of deep yoga-based stretching to release and relax tense muscles. (All levels)
BOSU Butz & Gutz: Just like it sounds, but more challenging when done on top of a BOSU! Come prepared to make your booty burn and your abs ask for more! (All levels)