Story by Jessica Bostick, Contributing writer.
The Wellness Center is the place to be for students seeking a healthier lifestyle, a common concern for students headed to college for the first time is the dreaded “freshman 15.” This refers to the amount of weight commonly gained during a student’s first year at college.
It is easy to fall victim with Winslow close by and instant food that can be made from the comfort of a bedroom with just the zap of a microwave. There are, however, ways to avoid this weight gain and to stay in shape.
The Susan E. Bauernfiend Campus Recreation and Wellness Center lies just beyond Springer Residential College. According to their website, the Wellness Center is “a facility dedicated to providing an environment that promotes and enhances wellness in the lives of Murray State students, faculty, staff and members through the use of our facility, equipment and programs.”
The Wellness Center houses three basketball courts, an aerobics studio, free weights, a swimming pool, two racquetball courts, treadmills, elliptical trainers, cross trainers, bikes, steppers and rowing machines. There are also men’s and women’s locker rooms, as well as a one eleventh mile track.
Honesty Staggs, senior from Madisonville, Ky., is a regular at the Wellness Center.
“My health is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to live my life to the fullest,” Staggs said. “It’s funny how everyone says they just want to sit around, eat pizza and watch Netflix, but the truth is we all have big dreams. I would like to climb mountains and walk across the Great Wall of China, all of which would be impossible without my health. I need my health to reach my goals.”
The Wellness Center offers free group workout classes in yoga, Zumba, spinning, pilates and many other classes. A full list of the group workout classes that are offered can be found on the Wellness Center website.
There are courses offered about every day at various times, so there is a workout group available for everyone whether you are a morning bird or a night owl. Anyone interested in these courses must call in advance to reserve a spot.
“My favorite program is definitely Total Body Spin,” Staggs said. “I have a blast in the class and the rhythm of the music always goes with the routine on the bike so I forget that I’m even working out.”
For those that are serious about their health and want to get into better shape than ever before, personal trainers are offered through the Wellness Center.
Sessions with personal trainers are not free, unlike most services offered through the Wellness Center. Students are charged $20 per session.
Students can also rent a number of items from the Wellness Center. Rentals offered include bath towels, basketballs, exercise videos, racquet balls, racquetball racquets and safety goggles. Equipment for camping and recreation are also available. This includes tents, canoes, fishing tackle and other things. Rental rates are by the day or week.
It is important to remember that while most services are free, the Wellness Center does ask that students always have their student IDs ready to show when entering the Wellness Center.
The Wellness Center also asks that students are respectful to the facility and to the safety of other individuals. Any questions about the services offered by the Wellness Center can be asked at their office in person or by phone at (270)809-6000.