by Jeremy Hunt
Daily Lobo
If you have always wanted to learn ninja techniques and salsa dancing, this week is for you.
Recreational Services is sponsoring March Madness Fitness Week, where students, faculty and staff can participate in any of the service's classes for free.
Fitness Week coincides with the NCAA Tournament because it gets people excited about exercising, said Erin Quinn, events coordinator for
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Recreational Services.
"People get hyped up with the basketball, so they go to the gym," Quinn said. "It's great to try new things before spring break, too."
Participants receive rewards, such as Red Bull, tea and
beef jerky.
It is important for students to find time to exercise,
Quinn said.
"Once you get into college, you get so caught up in homework," she said. "Time management is the biggest problem."
Recreational Services tried to accommodate students' busy schedules by keeping Johnson Center open until 11:45 p.m., Quinn said.
Student Rob Carew said he works out in Johnson five times a week.
Carew said most people don't see exercise as a priority.
"They invest their time in other aspects of their life - family, career, sloth," he said. "They don't see the potential."
Carew said more people work out at Johnson Center as spring break approaches.
"Since our culture is driven by sex, it's going to be important," he said.
Evangela Oates, a library employee, said she works out three times a week.
"I feel better when I exercise, emotionally as well as physically,"
she said. "It helps me clear my thoughts."
There are a few reasons why people don't work out, Oates said.
"They're lazy," she said. "Some people don't understand how easy it is to fit into your schedule."
Quinn said exercise is not beneficial to only the body.
"It's a good release and a good stress reliever," she said. "You need balance in your life. A good balance will create an environment for success."
Fitness Week activities:
"Ask a Personal Trainer," Johnson Center Weight Room, Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m.
"Psychedelic Lobo Cycling," SUB Cycling Room, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 to 9 p.m.
Abbreviated list
of free classes:
Belly Dance for Fitness, Johnson Center Dance Room, Wednesday and Friday, 10 to 11 a.m.
Hip-hop Dancing, Johnson Center Dance Room, Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m.
Salsa Partner Dancing Level 1, Johnson Center Fitness Room, Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m.
Ninjitsu Self-Defense, Johnson Center Wrestling Room, Wednesday, 6:15 to 7:45 p.m.
Yoga, Johnson Center Fitness Room, Wednesday, noon to 1 p.m., and Friday, 5:45 to
6:45 p.m.
Precision Pilates, Johnson Center Wrestling Room, today and Thursday, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Personal trainer tips:
Drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
Sleep six to eight hours a night.
Do 30 minutes of steady exercise a day, keeping your heart rate above 125.
Have each food group represented in your meals.
Stay away from high-fructose corn syrup.
Tips for beginning
an exercise regimen:
Work out with a friend.
Start slowly. Don't overdo it the first time.
Start with cardiovascular machines before moving up to free weights.
Do a full-body circuit with the Selectorized machines
(in Johnson Center), working out opposite muscles, such as the chest and back.
Source: Erin Quinn, personal trainer and events coordinator for Recreational Services
