Fall Brings Fitness Opportunities to Every Body

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Beautiful weather and back-to-school excitement are just a few reasons why the fall season is a great time to re-examine and re-commit to exercise, fitness, and wellness goals.  University Recreation provides multiple and diverse tools for those interested in addressing, improving or simply having fun with their fitness.  In addition to drop-in exercise facilities in both the HPER Building and the Arkansas Union, UREC provides multiple programs designed to help members enjoy a specific workout program, try a new trend, or exercise with a group.

Group Fitness classes utilize an instructor who leads choreographed exercise routines to music.   Group Fitness classes are provided at no extra charge to current University of Arkansas students, faculty, and staff, and cost $40 per semester for all other UREC membership types, such as alumni and family. Classes are held in many different formats, and are modified to accommodate a variety of fitness levels.  To ensure that there is a class that fits every schedule, UREC is offering 103 classes per week in two different locations on campus.  Some exciting new Group Fitness classes offered during the Fall 2012 semester include Bigger, Stronger, Faster, which emphasizes power and agility; and Water Rhythm, which incorporates various dance styles into a no-impact workout.  Download the group exercise schedule here.

If you are looking for more of a specific type of workout with more individualized attention, try one of UREC’s Small Group Training classes.  There are several different formats, including Team Training, Cardio Conditioning, and Zero Gravity Training that offer a goal-oriented workout program with the benefits of team accountability, but with a smaller and more personally focused group.  A new program offered for the Fall 2012 semester is Private Small Group Training, which allows for your own group of 3-6 people to be led by a personal trainer in the workout type of your choice. 

If you are new to exercising, or need some help setting exercise goals, UREC offers comprehensive fitness assessments and testing.  Certified personal trainers can test several dimensions of fitness including heart rate, blood pressure, body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility.  For a more advanced assessment, try UREC’s metabolic testing software, which measures an individual’s caloric output based on lifestyle and daily activity.  This assessment can be particularly useful in determining an individual’s unique caloric needs and nutrition planning. 

Campus exercise opportunities shouldn’t just be restricted to UREC members.  This fall, University Recreation is offering some opportunities to participate in structured exercise and wellness programs without a UREC membership.  Join the UREC Fitness Walking Group on Tuesdays from September 18 through October 9. The Walking Group will navigate campus routes during lunch time, offering a great way to take a mid-day break. In addition, UREC is partnering with Fayetteville Nutrition in September and October to offer the Shape-Up Challenge, a 7 week nutrition education and weight management program featuring educational seminars about protein, labels, portions, snacking, and other nutrition topics.

One of the most exciting additions to UREC’s Fitness/Wellness programming options is our new online exercise library.  The library features a comprehensive list of exercises that can be done with a variety of equipment, whether you are exercising in a UREC facility, or in your own home. Each exercise features video and audio demonstrations to help you use proper form and get the most out of your workout. UREC will feature regular combinations of these exercises on our website for suggested workouts throughout the year. Check it out at urec.uark.edu!

For information on these and any other UREC programs, please visit our website at urec.uark.edu, or contact Katie Helms at 575-4684 or khelms@uark.edu.