Rec Center offering courses to help familiarize students

By Raya Tahan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
January 16, 1996

Charles C. Labenz
Arizona Daily Wildcat

Rob York, accounting freshman, works out in the Student Recreation Center yesterday afternoon.

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For those who feel daunted by the more than 130 pieces of equipment in the Student Recreation Center's weight room, the center is now offering an orientation to help newcomers feel more comfortable.

Participants will learn which muscles each piece of equipment targets and how to use the equipment properly, said Kim Clark, coordinator for facilities.

The group orientation is taught by a member of the weight room staff and lasts one and a half hours. It is available several times during the semester. The cost of signing up is $3 in the center's business office, Clark said.

"I think it's a really good idea," said finance and accounting senior Neva Sheehan. "I know some people who had a weight room tour, and it really helped a lot. They know how to use their equipment properly and get their desired results."

More intense weight lifting instruction is available through an eight-week learn-to-lift-course, starting Jan. 29. Students will learn to design a personal and effective exercise program. The cost of the course is $20, payable at the business office.

For those who prefer the outdoors to the weight room, a fitness walking class has also been added to the program. Biweekly walks through campus will be guided by Fitness and Aqua Coordinator Britt Bensen. Fitness information will be given, along with T-sh irts, water bottles and log books. This class costs $30, and sign-ups are at the business office, Clark said.

Sheehan said, "Fitness walking sounds like a good idea because it's probably less stressful on the body. It's also something you can always do, even later in life."

Clark hopes non-traditional students, faculty and staff also take advantage of these new programs.

For aerobicizers, a double-step class has been added to the line up for a second semester. Double-step participants use two platforms concurrently instead of one, said Susan Benner-Hughes, assistant director of Campus Recreation for fitness. "This class i s guaranteed to put some new life into your exercise program," she said.

Traditional classes that will continue to be offered are hi/low, step, aqua, yoga and hip hop aerobics. Additional boxaerobics classes will be added to meet popular demand. In these, techniques adapted from boxing and kickboxing are incorporated into a gr oup aerobics class, Clark said.

In the pool, a range of aquatic programs will continue to be offered. These include a lifeguard training course, beginning swimming classes for adults, a swim club designed for all levels, CPR, and first aid classes. These programs charge a fee, and sign- ups are in the business office.

A slight change in the building hours will take effect immediately. The center will close at 11 p.m. rather than midnight on Fridays, and will remain open until 9 p.m. rather than 8 p.m. on Saturdays.

Lisa Wale, political science senior, said she is happy about the new hours.

"The only times I use the Rec Center that late are on weekdays," she said. "I've been there between 11 p.m. and 12 p.m. on a Friday, and there were about two people there."

More basketball leagues and more games per league have been added to the intramural program. The sign-ups for basketball, ultimate frisbee, team tennis and crease soccer close Jan. 19, she said.

Creative writing senior Neil Malkus, an intramural basketball participant, said, "It will be wonderful to have more games. More stuff is good stuff."

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