Health has been on the minds of many and the Lethbridge College fitness centre has seen more of a focus on fitness as a result.
According to fitness centre staff, sales for gym memberships are up this year for students, staff, faculty and community members.
Second year Broadcast student, Mariah Barton, is one of many Lethbridge College students who have a membership to the fitness centre and whose attention is on fitness.
Barton engages in a variety of activities on a regular basis to stay healthy.
“I play floor hockey, run, swim, participate in a kickboxing class on campus, ride my bike around Lethbridge – not to mention I walk a lot to get around on campus,” says Barton.
For many students, such as Communication Arts student Tess Calderbank, it is essential to stay active for a variety of reasons.
“It gives me strength to do better in my classes and I also enjoy that little break from classes to focus on keeping fit and relieving any stress that I have associated with school. Working out isn’t a chore, its fun to push myself at something I love to do,” says Calderbank.
Terry Fieguth, fitness centre staff member and Exercise Science student, also feels it is imperative for people to stay active for overall health benefits.
“Staying active makes daily tasks easier and with less strain.
It is refreshment for your brain as well as your body,” says Fieguth.
There are trends right now in fitness whereby certain types of training have become more popular with people overall.
“A lot of the circuit and boot camp training has picked up,” says Fieguth.
The fitness centre has experienced some changes over the last while to improve its facility and please its clientele.
New pieces of equipment have been added to the centre including a bike, elliptical machine and treadmill. Some of the old equipment was sold at an auction, which ended last week.
The centre is currently offering a reduced rate on fitness assessments as well.
Students and staff are able to receive assessments for $35, while community and alumni members also benefit from the special at a rate of $45.
Typically fitness assessments are priced at $45 and $55.
Fitness assessments provide individuals with a large picture of their strength and endurance.
It is a perfect starting point for those who are looking to enter into a fitness routine or those who want to gauge their current level of fitness to challenge them further.
The special on fitness centre assessments will be offered until Dec. 24.