ISU Bengal

Issue date: 11/19/05 Section: Life

Media Credit: Lavanya Vasudevan and Stephanie Oloff Katie Clegg teaching a spinning class for campus recreation get fit program.

Reed Gym has many places to work out this winter such as the Climbing wall, swimming pool and weightroom.

Midterms were absolutely brutal, thus you're now wincing during your visits to WebCT. Your unexcused absences in eight o' clock English have your seething professor staring down his nose at you, red pen at the ready, has the withdraw date already come and gone? Your Bio lab research project is breathing down your neck, the petre dishes are mocking you, you just know you'll be laughed out of the place. What's more is the frost and ice now greeting you in the morning, your second-hand car trudging on unwillingly, and the sunlight seems to be dwindling just like your spirit.

As Pocatello now chills to its most uninviting condition, ISU students find them selves doubly haunted, by both their tiresome academic pursuits and the ever growing hindrance of an Idaho winter. To some, the natives and regulars, the setting is familiar. To others, freshman and out-of-staters, it is a traumatizing discovery. But for each and all the winter months are an obstacle to either traverse or surrender to, results may vary.

But with the plethora of activities available to students and non-students alike, there is no reason to fester in bitter Pocy misery this winter.

"I've worked in colleges for twenty-five years. I've always heard 'there's nothing to do here'". Says Bill Mclachlen, Director of Campus recreation. "No matter how big or how small the town is, some people will be bored wherever they are. You have to make your own fun, your own activity. You have to explore."

The Office of Campus Recreation oversees the organization and use of the facilities at Reed Gym, the respective sports clubs, and the multitude of intramural sports available to all students. The increasingly popular program offers healthy competition in both individual and team sports, from light workout activities to the elevated challenge of high-end competition. The variety of opportunities makes the intramural program a prime resource for the active student.

Some of the individual sports include: table tennis, air hockey, rock climbing, badminton, and tennis among several others. While the team sports include: Basketball, volleyball-beach/indoor, flag football, softball, indoor soccer, ultimate Frisbee, as well as several other team sports that allow students to come together with friends for a much-needed release from the daily grind.

"Intramural offer a lot of sporting activities to be involved in," said Mclachlen. "You're given the opportunity to compete, meet people, to get involved with the college experience. You never have a better time in life to try new things in the realm of activity. What better time to learn new things? And it's become cheaper, more accessible."

Mclachlen also notes the benefits for students in staying active during the school year. A 2003 study performed by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association suggests that participation in Intramural builds character, teaches team building skills, aids in time management, improves emotional well-being, reduces stress, as well as improving the academic performance of participants.

"Studies indicate that people who are physically fit seem to be happier and to do better in school." Said Mclachlen.

Mclachlen says that new activities are instituted through noting national trends in university activities as well as by observing modern fitness in general.

"We're thinking that if we can get people involved it gives students one more choice in what to do. There are all kinds of opportunities. And you don't have to do it everyday."

Mclachlen notes that much of ISU's students do not have the time to take part in extensive work-outs through out the week, but feels that given the number of times and activities available, that students should find no trouble in staying active.

"Students get pulled in a lot of directions. And when these things build up, the first thing to go is the me-time". Says Mclachlen. "Some because of their distance from campus, some because they're occupied with growing families. We'd like to see more people involved, but it's hard."

In addition to the intramural program, there are also vast other courses being offered through the school year on a credit-earning basis by the Physical Education department. Among the over one hundred activity courses available are fun and leisurely classes such as bowling, billiards, and Dutch-oven cooking; as well as more cardio-active classes that include varying levels of aerobic exercise and also more concentrated activities like kickboxing and spinning, which is new to ISU this spring semester. Though spinning has been offered previously at Reed, this spring will be the first time students will receive credit for their time, sweat, and effort. Instructor Sara Marshall is excited for the work to begin.

"If you try it once, you'll be hooked," says Marshall, a senior health education major and a Pocatello native. "It's so good for you, it'll become an addiction."

Marshall insists that her spinning course will suit students of all levels of fitness, from the novice to the avid cyclist.

"Spinning can be one of the most intense cardio workouts", says Marshall. "But it accommodates every one from serious cyclists to those just beginning to exercise. You can go at your own pace". Marshall also notes that this spring the class will be taught using brand new equipment, which adds an extra incentive to endure the feverish pace of the course. "The equipment is so nice; it's good because it's not hard on the joints."

Marshall says that she began exercising as a child through her mother, who was a fitness instructor. It also provided her family and friends something to do together that was both healthy and fun.

"Exercise makes me feel good about myself, and I do better in school. It's opened up a lot of doors for me, it's my passion," says Marshall. But the benefit is not strictly a personal one. "I want to help people meet goals. It's what I love to do."

Marshall is hopeful that there will be a good response to the course. The turn out in the past has been great and she anticipates heightened enthusiasm now that credit is being offered. But her interest is not solely an academic one; it's for the love of exercise and well-being that drives her. Not to mention fun.

"We have a blast in class. It's just so fun."

With all of these opportunities available to ISU students, none of us have a valid cause to grumble on the lowly couch of the frosty winter.

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