Employees can try Campus Rec facilities free this month

In addition to gym access, Campus Recreation membership include programs such as yoga, aqua pilates, belly dancing and self-defense classes.

Campus Recreation will help employees achieve their New Year’s fitness resolutions this month with the “New Year, New You” campaign.

Faculty and staff who are not members or are renewing members can try Campus Recreation facilities and programs free through Jan. 31.

“Everybody has their own view of New Year’s resolutions, and my take is, if it motivates you to look at where you’re at and what can you do to either maintain or improve, then it’s a good thing,” said Lynne Thompson, associate director of Campus Recreation.

Employees can try group session classes, such as yoga or aqua pilates, or instructional programs, like belly dancing or self-defense.

“A month lets them have a good amount of time to experience the gym and see if it fits into their schedule,” said Kara Smith, group fitness coordinator of Campus Recreation.

Thursday is Campus Recreation’s annual Rec Live, an open house that highlights programs and sports clubs. The event, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Student Recreation Facility, offers rock climbing, chair massages, product samples, a health and fitness expo and more. The event is free for students, members and their guests.

Visitors can check out the Human Performance Lab, where exercise physiologists, fitness technicians and personal trainers help students and employees meet their fitness goals.

To participate in Campus Recreation’s annual Get Fit Challenge, a 12-week competition that starts Feb. 1, visit the Human Performance Lab to record pre-competition measurements.

“Our Get Fit Challenge is a program for students, faculty and staff to help them learn about different healthy lifestyles and participate in activities,” Thompson said.

The first-place winner of the Get Fit Challenge — the person who has the biggest difference in body fat percentage — will receive six free personal training sessions. Second place prize is three personal training sessions and third place is a 60-minute massage.

“These prizes are fun, but the biggest value of what they’re getting is support in a group and information about nutrition, health and wellness, and making a difference in their life,” Thompson said. “That’s ultimately a much bigger benefit than the actual prizes.”

Cost to join the Get Fit Challenge is $50 for students, $75 for members and $150 for nonmembers, which includes three-month facility access.