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by Jason Nemcosky '07
A new fitness program has arrived at Virginia Wesleyan, and the driving forces behind it are to motivate people to try it out and live a healthier lifestyle.
"We want to help folks get motivated to get into wellness," Director of Aquatics and Fitness Willie Harrell said.
The program, titled "NEW U-NIVERSITY," is a 12-week program established this year. It is based on a university theme, which incorporates a wide variety of workouts including stretching, running and swimming.
"It's a 12-week program that focuses on all aspects of health and wellness, especially health and nutrition," Fitness Coordinator Courtney Butowicz said.
Each participant will receive a file folder with their name on it. Inside the folder are different workouts based on "years." Like a university, the first level is freshman, and it goes on to sophomore, junior and senior, depending on the individual's level of fitness. The program is open to students, faculty and staff.
"There are four general levels of workout," Butowicz said. "Each workout is geared toward each person and where they are with fitness. We sit down and discuss with students their goals for the program as well as their familiarity with a fitness program." Nutrition and diet are also topics of discussion.
Participants will then be placed into one of the four levels.
"Depending on your level of fitness, Courtney designs a program based on which level you fall into," Associate Dean for Campus Recreation Doug Kennedy said.
The main priority in creating this program is to promote a healthy lifestyle among participants, and to educate them about how to stay healthy by tailoring exercise and diet plans to meet their individual needs.
"People get study groups and study buddies," Kennedy said. "We're trying to do the same thing."
One unique aspect to this program is that everything that is accomplished, and the pacing of the program, is entirely up to each individual.
"They're making the decisions," Harrell said. "It's you wanting to change your lifestyle and creating a better you. I would encourage anybody to do it. This program is for anybody, not just one particular person."
Butowicz meets with the participants constantly. "We discuss what they like and dislike," Butowicz said. "We are working together in this."
The individualized nature of the workouts also allows participants to change them if they feel like the workouts are too demanding for them.
"We design the program around them," Harrell said.
Anybody who averages 3.25 workouts a week will get on the "Dean's List." Those who make the list will have a chance to win a LifeFitness computerized Lifecycle, which is priced at over $1,500.
To sign up, stop by the fitness center in the Batten Center. Participants will be given a form with basic contact information and demographic questions. Trainers will also ask some basic questions about personal fitness and lifestyle levels.
"There is no deadline," Harrell said. "When you start is when you start."
The program currently holds 55 people, three-fourths of whom are female. One-third are faculty and staff.
"So far, it's very well received," Kennedy said. "They like the workouts. They like that people help them out as they go. We want to make this fun enough so people will keep doing it."
"All levels of experience are welcome," Butowicz said. "We'll work together to help anyone who wants to become more physically fit or healthy."
"There are few schools in Virginia that have this kind of staff and this kind of program available," Kennedy said. "We've never had a program like this. We're really unique that we can provide this."
Harrell says this program will continue throughout the years, and they hope to make it better by evaluating how effective the program was this year, as well as listening to feedback from the participants, and make adjustments based on them.
"We are going to make it a great program," Harrell said.
For more information, stop by the fitness center or call Harrell at 757.455.3105.