THE BATTALION
Page 3
urn
Rec Center students personal trainers,
tips on working out for health benefits
By Thomas Phillips
THE BATTALION
Whether for show, sport or survival, many
college students make staying in shape a rou
tine and indispensable part of their young
lives. Visit the Student Recreation Center at 5
p.m. on any day to learn this truth. Why might
someone want to sweat away all those hours in
a crowded weight room?
“I work out for the health benefits,” said Leah
Venable, a graduate student in the Department of
Health and Kinesiology.
Venable, however, is an exception to the norm.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise
physiology, is working on her masters in the
same field and spends her free time leading aero
bics classes. But to say Venable is too busy for
her own workout would be misleading.
“Right now, I teach aerobics eight times a
week, but I try to run and lift weights, too,”
Venable said. “Since it’s a priority in my life. I’ve
always found a way to work it into my schedule.”
The benefits of an established exercise plan
are what drive Venable through her workouts.
Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease,
decreased stress levels and increased energy are
health benefits attributed to regular exercise.
enjoy it, so it keeps me motivated,”
Venable said. “Plus, I’ve seen the effects of
inactivity. It’s a lifelong commitment, but the
benefits are worth it.”
Wade Womack, Class of 1994 and a lecturer
the College of Education, coordinates the
Applied Exercise Science Laboratory’s Fitlife
Program, located in the Netum Steed
Laboratory. He also works with students
and athletes to determine what the best
exercise plan is for their needs.
Fitlife’s Athletic Performance Test (APT),
which is available to all members of the com
munity, provides participants with in-depth
analyses of their physical performance levels.
This can then be used to design a personal
training program.
The APT includes blood chemistry analysis,
muscular strength and flexibility measurements,
body fat analysis and cardiovascular assess
ments. Students, faculty and staff members and
their immediate families qualify for discounted
rates for the testing.
For those just starting a workout routine,
Womack advises to proceed with caution.
“I tell everybody to start off slow,” Womack
said. “We see a lot of people with injuries.
When you’re in your 20s, you don’t think about
that so much.”
Three days a week is the minimum workout
amount Womack recommends, but added that even
one day each week of exercise is better than none.
“The more the better, to a point, about three to
five days a week,” Womack said. “You need to
give your body time to heal.”
Aerobic exercise makes the most immediate
impact on a beginner’s body, with the results
showing in just one to two weeks. Muscular
strength may take longer to become evident, any
where from four to eight weeks.
But working out will not have an affect if diet
is ignored.
“The main thing when it comes to diet is
calories,” Womack said. “If you consume more
calories than you burn off, you’re going to gain
weight.”
Some professional body builders and athletes
have just that in mind, though. They may sup
plement their diet with extra proteins and amino
acids — chemicals that the body uses to build
muscles. However, these additives are not
quick-fix ways to increase muscle mass.
“I’m not a big fan of supplements,” said
Jerod Wilson, a weight room and personal
trainer coordinator for the Department of Rec
Sports. “I’d rather somebody spend their money
on good food.”
Wilson matches clients with a personal
trainer, someone qualified to give instruction
on proper use of all of the equipment in the Rec
Center’s weight room and tailor a personal
exercise regimen.
“[Personal trainers] are just another form of
motivation for you,” Wilson said. “They’re really
good for just teaching people to exercise and
holding you accountable.”
The Rec Center’s Jumpstart program offers
participants a two-hour, one-on-one session
with a personal trainer that includes equipment
instruction and diet analysis for $30. Rec
Sports offers other plans with two to fifteen
sessions with a personal trainer, all of whom
are nationally certified.
Having a partner, a trainer or a group to
workout with can make or break the dedication
to the workout, he said.
“You have someone there to push [you],”
Wilson said. “It’s easier to stay at home or party if
you don’t have someone to hold you accountable.”
For those not so intrigued by sticking to a
regular workout, the Department of
Recreational Sports offers a wide range of out
door pursuits, from intramurals to canoeing to
rock climbing.
“If people are just looking for a change in
routine, we have people that can design stuff for
them that are more advanced,” Wilson said.
DIANA SUAREZ • THE BATTALION
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roadway
"A triumph!"
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"A revelation!"
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Civil Rights. Immigration. Patriotism.
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But don't let the historical references mislead you. At the heart of
this sensational Broadway musical are music and storytelling that
will, quite frankly, knock you right out of your seat. Witness
RAGTIME and see why it is one of the most celebrated musicals
of our time. Winner of four Tony Awards!
RAGTIME student
ticket prices start at
only $ 141
For yours, call the MSC
Box Office at 845-1234
or buy tickets on-line at
opas.tamu.edu.
PATRICIA 5. PETERS IAGNIAPPE LECTURE SERIES
Join us for an informal discussion previewing the music featured in RAGTIME. Led by Michael
Greenwald, TAMU professor of music, the discussions will be held prior to each RAGTIME
performance at 6:30 PM in Room 224 of the Memorial Student Center. The Lagnioppe Lecture
Series is generously sponsored by The OPAS Guild.
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