October 25, 2016
Hannah Harvey
Finding the motivation to get up at 5 a.m. every morning to work out is difficult, especially during the winter. If you’re paying for an expensive gym membership, it’s even more frustrating.
For UCCS students, the Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center started to offer a variety of new classes this fall for students who want to try new exercise routines, according to Brooke Freudenhammer, aquatics and fitness coordinator at the Rec Center.
Several group fitness classes have been added to the roster this semester. Barre, Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Yin Yoga are now available to attend.
The Barre class, held at 11:15 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. every Wednesday, is popular this semester. The addition of new group fitness classes is determined by student interest, said Freudenhammer.
Included in student’s tuition Rec Center fee is access to aquatics, including the pool and hot tub, fitness programs, personal trainers, the S.O.L.E. Center and club sports.
Their approach to fitness, health and wellness is a holistic view in which all aspects of a student’s life are considered for the best exercise plan, said Annette Biggs, associate programs director.
Regular exercise can benefit students in many ways, including a higher retention rate, higher GPA’s and a higher chance of graduating on time, according to Biggs.
“With those things in mind, we write out mission statement and take that very seriously. We program based on the students’ needs,” said Biggs.
The rec center pays attention to trending workouts, like Crossfit and Barre, said Freudenhammer. The center also looks at other institutions and colleges to see what they are doing with their fitness programs.
Students can purchase a semester fitness pass for $20 at the Rec Center to attend classes
For students who want to experience fitness outside of UCCS, there is a collection of workout studios around Colorado Springs that offer workouts at a discount.
Pure Barre Colorado Springs, a ballet-inspired fitness facility located on North Nevada Avenue, offers a student discount of $79 for their first month. The facility is open daily from 5:45-11 a.m. and 3:45- 7 p.m.
Barre combines ballet and rehabilitative therapy, incorporating planks, pushups, lower-body workouts and a series of core-strengthening exercises using a ballet bar and mat.
Crossfit Pandora’s Box, located off of Northpark Drive, also provides an education discount. Students, teachers, active military and firefighters can receive a service and education discount for a total of $90. This is $10 off from the individual plan.
Experienced Crossfit athletes can take classes at the facility for $15, according to the facility’s website.
Crossfit incorporates high-intensity interval training. The facility includes information on fitness, nutrition and proper body movement as part of their program to provide a more holistic experience.
Students should exercise regularly to get in the habit of working out on a daily basis, said Biggs. There a variety of ways for students to motivate themselves to exercise, including scheduling their workouts to adapt to busy schedules and going with a friend, said Biggs.
“If you don’t breed habits now then you won’t have them for your full time job,” said Biggs.
More information on the Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center’s services can be found on http://www.uccs.edu/ recwellness/campus-rec.html.