Fitness: reach your peak

One of the top New Years resolutions is to get fit, according to the United States government Web site. The TLU Fitness Center is doing its part to help in that pursuit with its annual Reach Your Peak Fitness Contest, to be held Jan. 20 through March 12.

"It's a fitness contest that we do every year through the Fitness Center to help people with their New Year's resolution to work out more," Deborah Roberts, director of campus recreation, said.

Students are in full support of the program.

"I think it's a good way to get the students and faculty motivated about working out," Karrah Black, senior biology major, said. "People stick to it."

There is no need to sign up for the contest. Students, faculty and staff fill out a workout card for every workout that they perform.

"We track all the workouts," Roberts said.

The likelihood of winning the weekly drawing is better when one works out more, although there is a maximum of seven workouts allowed per week. Furthermore, each workout must last at least 30 minutes, Roberts said.

To the benefit of those who enjoy the fresh air and sunshine that south Texas brings during the spring, outdoor workouts count as well.

"If you go and walk on the track or something like that you can still fill out a workout card," Roberts said. "They just need to fill their cards out the same week they actually do the exercise," Roberts said.

Workouts with an athletic team and athletic classes do not count toward the contest. On the other hand, students who partake in intramural sports can count their participation for the contest. The incentive for partaking in the contest is the chance to win prizes from the weekly drawings that the fitness center will hold, according to Roberts. That is where the cards come into play.

For those not fortunate enough to win one of the drawings, there is still reason to participate. Anyone who has at least 20 workouts during the span of the contest will receive a t-shirt, according to Roberts.

"I think we've gotten more people involved in and doing it since we started doing the weekly drawings," Roberts said.

This is the third year that the contest will include the weekly drawings.

Another encouragement that Roberts lays down for participants is the grand prize at the end of the contest, which Roberts said has been a gift card in the past.

"The top male and female faculty/staff members and top two male and female students will win grand prizes," Roberts said. Roberts' hope is that the external motivators will get more people into a workout routine. "It encourages people to exercise," Roberts said. "Get into a competition for the grand prize!"

The benefits, however, reach beyond material items.

"It's good for their health; it's good for stress management," Roberts said.

This point is not lost on students.

"I think there is always a need, whether you're overweight or underweight, you know to workout, and so I'm hoping that a lot of people come in and kind of challenge themselves," Ruth Brown, senior kinesiology major, said. "It's also good for just relieving stress, especially when you're stressed out with school."

To those who are just beginning a workout schedule Roberts divulges simple, easy to remember advice.

"Start slow," Roberts said. "It always helps to have a workout buddy because they can encourage each other to get in and do their workouts."

Students back up Roberts with advice of their own.

"Just know that you don't have to kill yourself for it to be exercise," Jackie Allen, senior kinesiology major, said. "You can have fun with it."

Allen works in the Fitness Center and says that during the time of the contest there is a noticeable increase in the number of people who come in with a workout partner, as they can motivate one another.

Brown is an example of how someone can be benefit from consistent exercise. Brown has been working out since junior high school and says that she always feels better after she works out.

"I try and challenge myself," Brown said.

The goal of the Reach Your Peak Fitness Contest is to establish a pattern in students and faculty alike with regards to working out.

"It's good to get in a habit while you're young because it's easier to stick with that habit when you're out of college and get a job," Roberts said.

Roberts' words of advice can act as a word of encouragement at the same time.

"Come in and use the Fitness Center," Roberts said.