Student Rec Center offers many exercise options

One of the many aerobics courses that Western Michigan University offers to help students get into shape and stay in shape.

By Fritz Klug

News Editor

The University Recreation Center is more than a place to try and live up to the ridiculous bodies associated with Hollywood stars and pro athletes.

Chris Voss, associate director of facilities and programming, said that the SRC offers anything someone wants, which includes squash, badminton, rock climbing, basketball, soccer, personal training, yoga, water polo and ping-pong.

A Bronco ID is required to get into the SRC. Part-time students can go 10 times, but can upgrade their option to an unlimited plan for $37.50.

Chrisanna Colletta, a graduate assistant, said the best times to come to the SRC are from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“You can make time if you want it,” she said. “There are no excuses in the morning.”

Voss said that the beginning of the Spring semester is the busiest time of the year, bringing in 15,000 to 16,000 visitors a week, compared with 12,000 visitors in the fall.

“Everyone has those New Year’s resolutions and are getting ready for spring break,” Voss said.

Yes, spring break.

“We start off strong for the first two weeks,” he said. “Then people feel like they are meeting their goals, and we’re down for three weeks. Then two weeks before spring break [our numbers] are back up again.”

For a first time workout, Voss recommends doing 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercises, a half an hour of weights, and another 15 minutes of cardio. More muscle can be built up once the  heart rate rises. 

Cardio exercises include running on the track and using one of the various machines, including treadmills (which build endurance) ellipticals (which work the knees), stair steppers, which work legs and gluts, or the butt, and cycling machines.

There are a wide variety of free weights and weight machine. During the Spring Semester, the Seeyle Center Weight Room is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday to accommodate the rise in users.

“Combination [in exercise] is key,” Coletta said. “Fat mobilizes in the whole body.”

Coletta added that classes are a great way to workout in a group setting. Single class passes cost $2, and a 15-class pass is $25.

The SRC offers free lockers for the day. If someone wants to keep their items overnight, lockers can be rented out for $25 a semester, and $35 for larger lockers.

Voss pointed out the intramural sports are a good way to exercise with other people and Voss said that there is wide variety of skill levels, depending on the sport. 

“You have people who still think they are playing in their high school championship,” he said.

No matter how many machines and programs the SRC offers, someone’s experience depends on their own choices. 

“You get out what you put in,” Coletta said.

For more information on the SRC, programs, times, and options of working with a personal trainer, go to wmich.edu/rec or go to the front desk of the SRC.

Front desk hours are  between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

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Posted by heraldstaff on Jan 13 2010. Filed under Special Issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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