Growth in fitness enrollment

Landa McClure/Pioneer
Nick Pinkerton, liberal studies major, spots Samuel Ballinger, kinesiology major, as he bench presses. Students can use the Wellness Center free of charge with their student ID.

Patti rogers
News Writing Student

The number of students using the Wellness Center is up this semester, said Roxanna Butler, Recreation and Fitness director.

Butler said OCCC added a greater variety of fitness classes in the day and evening, targeting every age group, in an effort to get more people involved.

“There’s rarely a time when you can go by the facility without seeing several students in there working out or in using the gym playing pick up volleyball or basketball,” she said.

Butler said she feels “it’s increasing, so it’s a good sign.”

According to records, she said, enrollment in land aerobics classes has doubled compared with last year. Participation in water aerobics classes is up as well.

Students and visitors can now enjoy early morning strength-training classes, Zumba and an Active Kids Fitness program on Saturdays, Butler said. They’re all new this semester.

“The noontime aerobics and Pilates classes are really popular,” she said. “And Zumba, because it’s the latest rage.”

Zumba is a dance class that combines Latin-style dance steps with body sculpting movements for a fun cardio workout.

In addition to a traditional high-energy class, which is offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons, a Zumba Gold class is available for active older adults or beginning exercisers.

Fitness instructor Kathie Hibbs said she enjoys the mixture of student faculty and staff participants who join her Tuesday and Thursday Pilates classes.

“Pilates is a great cross-training activity for all athletes,” Hibbs said. “It strengthens your core, which enhances performance in other sports like running and baseball.”

Pilates is considered a form of resistance training; however, she said, it does not tax the cardiovascular system enough to provide an aerobic benefit.

“Some people don’t feel like it’s a workout because they don’t always sweat in class,” Hibbs said. “It’s nice to take mid-day when you don’t have time to shower before heading back to class or work.”

A longtime participant in the aerobics and Pilates classes at the Wellness Center, OCCC history professor Ron Gray takes noontime classes when his schedule allows.

Gray said he enjoys the benefits each class offers.

When Gray is stressed and needs an outlet, he said, “in aerobics I can take my mind off any distractions and concentrate on exercising to the sound of music that makes your pulse beat.

“After class I feel tired, but relaxed and I know that I have done something that has been good for both my heart and lungs.”

Of Pilates, he said, “The music is soothing, the movements and positions are challenging. The atmosphere is peaceful and serene.

“I leave feeling I have better balance, more flexibility, and a calm frame of mind.”

Butler said classes generally are small, with 10 to 12 participants per class.

“It’s a good class size for us right now,” she said.

“We want to get them upwards to about 15 to 20, but just don’t want to get them too packed.”

Students can use their college issued IDs to access the Fitness and Wellness Center.

In addition, the general public can purchase daily passes, 20-visit punch cards or annual memberships to use the facilities. Memberships include use of the weight room, gymnasium and aquatic center.

However, Butler said, you do not have to be a member to participate in a class.

“This way, if you’re a student and want a family member — a parent, a spouse or a sister or brother — or a friend to take a class with you, they can join,” she said.

Class costs range from $20 to $40 a month. Students, however, receive a reduced fee of $20.

The fall schedule lists class times. It is available online at www.occc.edu/rf or in the Recreation and Fitness office just outside the Wellness Center.