Monday, August 11, 2008
The “freshman 15” can be a harsh reality for new students. However, that doesn’t have to be a concern if students take advantage of workout options provided by the Student Recreation Fitness Center.
The $6.3 million expansion to the recreation center, which began in May 2007, is slated to be completed by mid-September. New additions include four multipurpose courts, a martial arts room, two racquetball courts and a virtual golf course.
“What’s really fun about it is it’s all student initiative,” said Mary Chappell, director of the recreation center. “Students are here wanting to make the University better.”
The expanded portion will open on Oct. 24, which is the Friday of Homecoming weekend. The recreation center will also be formally renamed the David A. Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center at a naming ceremony the same day. Ambler was former vice chancellor of student affairs. He held the position from 1977 to 2002.
Another addition to the recreation center was provided by the 2008 senior class. The senior class gift, a “KU” inlay, will be placed in the sidewalk in front of the center.
“Overall people think it’s a nice symbol for students to give back to the University,” Lori Reesor, associate vice provost for student success and senior class adviser said.
Students pay $74.50 in student fees for the recreation center. Chappell said students should take advantage of the recreation center because they were paying for it.
“Every student has ownership in it,” she said.
The recreation center will continue to offer its past programs. One of the most prominent features in the recreation center, the rock wall, is part of the outdoor pursuits program. Backpacks, tents, canoes and kayaks are all available for rent.
“It’s pretty cheap to go on a canoe trip for the weekend,” Chappell said. “During the Wakarusa Festival all the inventory was out.”
The KU Fit program offers more than 40 aerobic exercise classes, all taught by students. Lexi Childs, Wichita senior, teaches a Pilates class and a cardio dance party class.
“It’s a blast helping other people work out and helping them work out in a fun atmosphere,” Childs said. “It gets bored working out at the same level on machines. When you’re in a group setting it makes it a little more fun.”
Stacey Pope, Topeka junior and kickboxing instructor, agreed that exercising in a group provided a different dynamic than working out alone.
“There’s a sense of solidarity within all the girls in the class,” she said.
Forty free personal training sessions are offered every two weeks. All the personal trainers are also students and are health, sports and exercise majors or have certification. Childs said she recommended students take advantage of the personal training sessions to help them develop a workout routine.
“A lot of times people aren’t motivated because they might not know what to do,” she said. “You have an instructor motivating you instead of you motivating yourself.”
Chappell said that no matter where students exercised, it was important that they get in the habit of working out.
“It’s a lifestyle hopefully everyone can engage in,” Chappell said.
— - Edited by Matt Hirschfeld
Rec center addition to be dedicated today
New spaces include golf simulator, extension of running track and more rooms ...
Student Recreation Fitness Center addition to open ...
The add-on will feature a virtual golf simulator, martial arts studio, four ...
Rec center expansion delayed
The four multi-purpose courts, an expanded 2,000-square foot free-weight area and two ...
Completion of renovations delayed
Addition, originally scheduled to be completed by spring, pushed backed due to ...
Student Rec Center nears completion
The University rec center is being renovated to keep up with national ...
Rec center expansion will begin Monday
Construction at the Student Recreation and Fitness center will add more courts ...
Williams: Work out on campus
Take advantage of all the fitness opportunities at the University.
Kickoff event at the Rec will show ...
Thursday’s night’s ‘Rock the Rec’ will also help students find out about ...
Students find fewer options at rec. center
Ongoing renovations have reduced space and limited equipment at the Student Recreation ...
Recreation center addition opens
The $6.3 million addition to Ambler recreation center has extended indoor track ...
Student Recreation Center experiences upgrades, repairs
Thieves target unattended rec center items
Thirty percent of all campus crimes this semester have occurred at the ...
Recreation Center offers lockers for $40
The Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center has 40 of 100 reserved for ...
Frustrations arise from campus overcrowding
Students express their annoyances about the recreation center and The Underground being ...
Students in the Big 12 play hard ...
Kansas ranks 9th when it comes to fees for facilities; Missouri and ...
Changes proposed for student parking
Students without yellow parking permits may be allowed to use parking spaces ...
Fitness options abound for the summer
Anyone looking to get or stay fit during the summer have plenty ...
Off your butt, into the rec
The Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center's outdoor pursuit program offers alternatives to ...
Recreation center will honor retired administrator
Upon its completion this Spring, the Recreation Center expansion will be named ...
One-on-one fitness
Exercise your way to better grades
Cardiovascular exercise - like running - can help build a better memory.
Fitness classes’ turnout increases
Turbo Kick and other exercises help students get in better shape thanks ...
Jobs of all trades exist for students
Employers for campus, off-campus jobs are looking for students who want to ...
Recreation center roof leaking
Rec Center celebrates grand opening
Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center celebrates its new addition.
Recreation center offers trial cycling classes
KU Fit’s three cycling classes officially begin on Valentine’s Day.
Rain garden by recreation center to prevent ...
Native flowers and grasses will allow the $40,000 garden to manage the ...
Recreation center makes parking easier
A parking program began Thursday to make it easier for students who ...
Pickleball rediscovered by Lawrence residents
USA Pickleball Association provides demonstration to new players.
Students find the best places to exercise
The Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center isn’t the only available option.
Rain garden completed on Earth Day
More than 200 volunteers plant 2,500 native Kansas plants.
Recreation center offers new classes
Students will be able to participate in a six-week boot camp class ...
Rec center adds new programs for fall
Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center will introduce group training and three new ...
Kick your semester into gear
Try a variety of martial arts for empowerment, health and self-defense
United Students propose pool for Recreation Center
One coalition said the addition, estimated to cost about $20 million, wouldn't ...
Website helps prepare students for finals
Students should take into account their physical and mental well-being in addition ...
Student Senate discusses plans for KU aquatic ...
Student Senate is looking at three different plans for a possible aquatics ...
Spotlight on Organizations
Judo Club allows students to practice a modernized version of the ancient ...
Students help minimize damage in rec center ...
Students made make-shift levee to lessen flood damage to The Rec Center.
Students find time to work out
Making exercise priority while managing school.
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID