Nobody gonna break my stride!

Got a case of the Mondays? Grab a Jax Pass and join Fitness and Wellness graduate assistant Alissa Underhill for her 6 p.m. cycling class. You’ll be sure to have a great time and sweat out any tension you may have picked up throughout the day.

Last Monday I had my first cycling experience.

Small class sizes are the reason I came to SFA and that’s exactly what this class delivers.

The cycling room holds a maximum of nine people, allowing Underhill to communicate easily with participants.

“It’s fun for me to teach because I am able to interact with the patrons, and many of the people return to my class every week,” said Underhill.

Cycling is a self-paced class that offers the opportunity to increase or decrease resistanceat ones own comfort level. Underhill put it best when she said, “You get what you put into it.”

While coaching the cyclists Underhill plays a unique combination of calm alternative music that really got me in the zone.

Artists on her play list include Passion Pit, Coldplay and The Killers- all music I wouldn’t normally listen to, but have a newfound appreciation for. When I was trying to find personal focus during the class the music is what got me there.

Underhill refuses to play typical perky work out music. “I pick music I listen to when I work out, and hope others will like it too,” she said.

And they definitely do. Patrons that had been in her class before even requested songs!

Underhill told me cycling is her favorite class to teach because she loves cardio workouts. Like most of us, she likes the way she feels after an intense workout as well as the health benefits.

I always knew cardio was important but after taking the class I decided to do research and find out why. According to the American Heart Association website, cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in the United States.

Healthy.net claims the main process resulting in cardiovascular diseases is atherosclerosis, or clogging and hardening of the arteries. The narrowing and hardening of the arteries increase their resistance and pressure and makes the heart work harder, which can then wear down this vital muscle.

Obviously arteries may easily become clogged by a repeated diet of saturated fats and cholesterol. The great part about cardio workouts is they get your blood pumping and actually help push out the bad stuff! Not that I’m suggesting to eat a Big Mac and then attend cycling class, but cardio workouts can definitely help the cause.

I don’t think I’ve sweated that much since I played sports (three years ago)!

YOUR inside connection to Campus Rec- Steph

Shaking it up in Zumba!

It seems to me that I get the Group X blog assignments. I think it’s because our student staff likes to see the crazy stuff they can get me to do. In early spring, I covered the Hip Hop Group X class and last week, Zumba.

I started taking the Campus Rec Zumba class last semester with two members of my promotions team, Kelsey and Lauren. We definitely are not the Latin vision of dance, so it was quite entertaining. We had our little corner in the back of the class. I had the perfect spot where I couldn’t see myself in the mirrors of MP2 and no one could see me through the windows. Throughout the semester, we all seemed to get farther and farther away from our corners toward the center of the floor. Bear with me, I have a point.

So Monday, I confidently walked to the front of the class, stood in front of the mirror, looked at my reflection and thought, “let’s do this!” It is at this point I notice, Shay, the NEW instructor. She definitely had Latin flavor and when she asked if anyone had taken Zumba before, I raised my hand like the inner nerd I have been trying to hide for years. I wanted her to know I was a veteran and I was here to have fun and shake it A LOT.

Five seconds into the warm up I realized this was not the same Zumba class. I was sweating and catching my breath before the warm up was even finished. Shay made the warm up fun and hard core all at the same time by incorporating Top 40 music hits and scooting her way throughout the class versus sticking to the front.

So after a quick water break, it was time to begin the workout. We shimmied, we shook, and we broke a sweat. But the best part is we had FUN! It was not the Richard Simmons dance workout we saw our moms or grandmas (hello freshman) do. The class veterans were excited to get a full body workout and do some of the same moves we loved from the last class. Shay was very interactive with the class, she moved around the room, sang, and talked to the class. We definitely were disappointed for the class to be over and elated to come back on Wednesday.

What I have noticed about the Campus Rec Group X program is the closeness of the instructors. They attend each other’s classes and promote others like they were teaching it. We have had Trish (teaches Trim N’ Tone) in our class and she was wonderful. She has tons of energy and she helps out by doing modified steps. After class, she runs down to MP1 and teaches her Trim N’ Tone class.

Wow!!! Wish I was that in shape…maybe I will be at the end of the summer from my AWESOME Zumba class!

Session I Group X classes run until July 9 and Session II is July 12 through August 13. Session I Zumba is Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Session II Zumba is Tuesday and Thursday at the same time. Group X schedules can be downloaded off the Campus Rec website, www.sfasu.edu/campusrec, or picked up at the Rec Center.
Til next time…….Liz Ross

Massages to-go?

After last week’s rock climbing excursion, I felt as if I needed a refresher. That’s when I remembered Campus Rec has a Wellness Service Center with its very own masseuse.

I visited Therese Hosteller of California, for a 15 minute combination of massages.

For students and members, 15 minutes with Hosteller is only $12! Not to mention the convenience of stopping for a quick massage at your very own Student Rec Center!
Hosteller has been practicing the art of massage therapy since 1988, and her primary focus has been on enhancing athletic performance.

“Sports massage is my thing! said Hosteller, “I like working on people with injuries because you can actually see them heal.”

Hosteller has an extended massage education from working for an orthopedic surgeon for three years focusing on injury recovery for athletes.

I was informed that Swedish massage simply means to stretch the body. Maybe it’s just me, but based on the name I always assumed it meant something much more complex. Wrong. When performing the Swedish massage, a masseuse will use a kneading motion to increase the blood flow, and follow with techniques designed to stretch the body’s muscles and tendons. Simple huh?

When I was through asking questions, Hosteller sat me down in a chair and stretched my neck from side to side. She even showed me a simple technique I can do at home!

Next, I laid down on the table while Hosteller checked my legs for tension and unevenness.

“Most people have uneven legs, and I can fix it,” said Hosteller.
Apparently, people tend to put pressure on one side of their body resulting in leg unevenness. If you are right handed you tend to be left leg dominate and vice versa.
My legs were fine, but my thighs had tension in places I never knew existed. She showed me where most rock climbers carried bodily stress, and it turned out I was sore in those places!

Hosteller offers a variety of massages including chair, reflexology, table, Swedish, sport, trigger point and deep tissue. You can even have a focused massage and information session on a specified trouble spot.

Prices range from $12 to $50, beating out any salon massage as far as I know.

Before I leave you, I want to share one last tip I learned from Hosteller. Salt has natural healing agents, so taking a bath with it or even mixing it with warm water and rubbing it on a sore area with a towel can help tremendously! Sea salt is preferred, but table salt will work too.

I will be away for the next two weeks soaking up the summer sun. But don’t worry, my promotions’ team, Lauren and Liz, will be posting and making sure you have your weekly dose of Campus Recreation.

YOUR inside connection to Campus Recreation- Steph

I made it to the top!

In the three years I have had access to the Rec Center, today is the first time I have attempted to climb the 34-foot rock wall that stares at you no matter where you are in the rec. In other words, it is an epic day. I have admired the purple tinted wall in the past, but have never stopped long enough to get strapped up in a harness. I don’t know if it was laziness, fear, or intimidation, but it has just never happened until today.

When approaching the rock wall, I was greeted by Ohio grad student and rock wall staff, George Giavasis, and Nacogdoches Jr. and belayer-in-training, Nathan Rector.

Giavasis shared with me his enthusiasm for the sport and assured me of its safety.

“This is a cool place because you can come climb and hangout with people,” said Giavasis.

Due to forewarnings about the intense work out I was about to experience, I began with a thorough body stretch.

Next, I was secured in a harness, signed a precautionary waver, and just like that Rector said, “climb away,” and I was off!

Never having rock climbed in my life, I definitely started off slow. The wall looks way different when you’re in the air attempting to balance on it. The higher I got the smaller the foot holes seemed to appear.

On my first attempt the fear of height set in quick. I felt paralyzed for a moment and asked to be let down.

“Don’t get discouraged, come back a few times and you’ll be surprised how quick you pick it up,” said Giavasis.

Giavasis then asked me my shoe size and walked away, returning with a pair of shoes that reminded me of the water shoes my mom used to make me wear on family vacations.

“You can stand on things with climbing shoes that you could never stand on with normal shoes,” said Giavasis.

I put on the shoes and attempted the wall a second time- this time choosing a section I found more appealing.

I moved quickly and made it about half way up the wall. I paused for a moment, and it became very apparent that I was at the same height as the second floor of the rec. Panic set it and I began to shake. Feeling unable to go any further I asked to be let down once more.

Giavasis and Rector continued to encourage me- apparently fear is not uncommon.

“You can definitely make it to the top. You’re physically capable of it,” said Giavasis.

I collected myself and got a few drinks of water, as if to stall the inevitable.

Somehow, I got the courage to get back on the wall. I have never been a quitter and wasn’t about to start today. I wanted a success story to report on and almost doesn’t count!

“Come on Stephanie,” I thought to myself, “just do it.”

I climbed, and climbed, and when I was over half way I felt like there was nowhere else to go. All the foot holes seemed so small, and I was almost out of arm strength.

I let go of the wall and sat floating in the air for a minute. I could feel my hands sweat.

“You’re so close,” I heard a voice from the ground say.

I took a deep breath and kept climbing. Eventually, I made it to the top! My adrenaline was at an all time high, and the feeling of accomplishment was unbelievable.

I have to say, I am now over what ever it was that caused me to shy away from the rock.

The rock wall is sure to shake things up if you’re bored of your normal workout and looking for some excitement. I recommend bringing a friend for support, a bottle of water, and a positive attitude- especially if it’s your first time.

Even if you can’t find a brave enough friend, the rock wall staff is friendly and loves new comers! I’d even be happy to join you if you’re up for the challenge!

If I can do it, you can do it. See for yourself!

YOUR inside connection to Campus Recreation- Steph

Campus Rec blog revamped!

Summer is upon us so why not use the extra time to get moving? I don’t know about you but the summer heat gets me motivated to come to Campus Rec and break a sweat. My name is Stephanie and I am a senior at SFA. You may recognize me from my starring role in the job fair flyer. I will be taking over the blog and giving you a VIP pass to Campus Recreation. I will dive head first into the events and activities Campus Rec has to offer and report back to you on my experiences.

You might see me around campus in my usual athletic attire- but don’t let my Nikes fool you. I haven’t played a real sport since I lost in the first round of regional tennis doubles my senior year of high school. Therefore, my ventures in Campus Rec activities promise to be interesting. Don’t get me wrong, I work out now and then but my maybe-once-a-week workout is nothing compared to what Campus Rec has in store for me.

This summer I will attend group exercise classes such as “boot camp,” that I have previously avoided based on the title. I will also explore the Outdoor Pursuits division of Campus Rec, and participate in adventures I never thought I would have the guts to attempt. In the fall, I will be making my first ever intramural sports appearance. Luckily, my co-worker and accomplice, Lauren, will be accompanying me on activities I am too chicken to try alone. She will also be filling in for me while I am on vacation in June. Below are the Campus Rec Maymester hours just to keep you all in the loop.

Expect to hear from me once a week throughout the duration of the summer, and twice weekly beginning in the fall. Remember, I am YOUR personal pass to Campus Rec- so laugh at my experiences, gain information, and feel free to leave comments or ask me questions! If I can’t answer it, I will find someone who can.

Check me out next week to discover an unconventional workout that rocks!

YOUR inside connection to Campus Recreation- Steph