Katie Lebeda, junior information systems major, works out on one of the new exercise machines in the ESU rec center. The new equipment arrived in time for the upcoming Healthy Hornet Fitness Challenge.
Jordan Storrer/The Bulletin
Students, faculty and staff are registering for the Healthy Hornet Fitness Challenge, a six-week campus-wide health program that promotes healthy lifestyles. The recreation center will offer classes specialized for those participating.
“We do this every spring semester, but this year we’ve added a lot to the program,” said Whitney Runer, assistant director of Recreation Services.
Runer said this year’s challenge will focus on more than the diet and exercise aspects of a healthy lifestyle. She said the program also encourages students to practice healthy sleep habits and to “take time for themselves.”
“In past years, the Healthy Hornet Fitness Challenge has been more physical (focused),” said Mike Wise, director of Recreation Services. “There is an added focus on mental wellness this year.”
Yoga and Zumba are among the wide range of fitness classes that will be offered at the Recreational Center during the program, as well as pool classes such as Aqua-Blast cardio and aquatic yoga. Runer said participants can earn points for attending these classes and will have a chance to win prizes.
“The program is designed so that each week participants earn points by completing fitness goals,” Runer said. “Participants can spend points to win prizes, such as T-shirts, pedometers and track bags.”
Students, faculty and staff can register as a team or individually, but this year, there is a bigger push to get more teams involved.
“We try to encourage more people to form teams for the motivational purpose,” Runer said. “Individuals are welcome to register, though. There are separate prize incentives for individuals and teams.”
Runer said after the Fitness Challenge, students are invited to keep attending the classes for the rest of the spring semester.
Runer said some classes would be scheduled later for faculty and staff to participate in.
“We are offering free membership for faculty and staff for the duration of the Fitness Challenge,” Runer said. “As always, admission is free for students.”
Runer said the recreation center has also received new cardio and weight training equipment that will be used in some of the classes.
Steve Huntsinger, personal training and fitness supervisor, said the equipment includes new treadmills, elliptical machines and a “cable weight machine with touch screen settings for different workouts.”
The Healthy Hornet Fitness Challenge will run from Jan. 28 through March 8. Registration ends Jan. 28.