New fitness program saves time, promotes healthy living

Students workout at the McLane Student Life Center on Thursday, October 3, 2013. Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor
Students workout at the McLane Student Life Center on Thursday, October 3, 2013.
Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor
By Rebecca Jung
Reporter

Thirty minutes a day could save your life.

“To stay healthy and fit you don’t need to run a marathon or even visit the gym,” said Van Davis, assistant director for fitness. “The key is to stay active.”

Starting Oct. 17, Baylor students will have a chance to do just that.

The Baylor Department of Fitness and the Baylor Department of Wellness have partnered to bring students a new program. The program called “30 on Thursdays” consists of an exercise activity and providing students with information on fitness, nutrition and overall wellness.

“This is really catered to people that aren’t already exercising — we’re going to show them and give them a workout card so they can take the activity with them,” Davis said.

This new program is only 30 minutes and provides students with ways to be active in their own space.

The class is different from the Bear X program classes which has regular attendees and is geared toward everyone.

What makes this program unique, Davis said, is that it not only provides students with an opportunity for physical activity, but it also empowers them to create a healthy lifestyle for themselves.

The first activity of the program will be a walk and tone, and later activities include yoga, Pilates and calisthenics.

The program is not just exercising in a class environment. At times, it will consist of independent or partner work.

The program is free and will run every Thursday from Oct. 17 until the end of the semester. The program is held at 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Student Life Center.

“The goal is empowering and equipping,” said Megan Patterson, director of wellness. “It is recommended that getting 30 minutes of activity five days a week is your best shot at maintaining health. We want to help students take care of one of those days.”

The 30 on Thursdays program is part of the Commit To Be Fit campaign programming for the semester.

Commit To Be Fit is the fitness theme the department adopted this semester, Davis said. It’s a commitment to be fit wherever a person is, and it’s for students and faculty.

Student groups who have 25 percent of their members sign up for the Bear X programs will get the recognition of being an “OsoFit” group. This applies to departments as well.

Students will receive a neon green and white bracelet featuring the slogan “commit to be fit,” and every class will receive a card with an exercise and wellness tips.

Students, who come regularly by the end of the semester will have a ring full of these cards with exercises and fitness guidelines they can implement into their lives, Davis said.