University Recreation (UREC) and the Office of the Provost have revamped their Faculty and Staff Fitness Program and are pushing to increase membership.
Kyle Cance, marketing coordinator for University Recreation and Wellbeing, said the purpose of the year-long program is to provide accessible fitness opportunities for faculty and staff.
“That’s really our goal: to really make it more available for everyone to get out and be able to get a work out in during their busy days,” he said.
Vickie Verduzco, assistant director of Facilities and Operations for UREC, said the program has been around for 25 to 30 years. With changes in management last August, it has undergone a transitional phase.
“We’ve taken some feedback from our members on ways to improve the program to make it a little easier for them,” she said. “We’ve taken it from where it was. We’ve definitely advanced the program.”
This feedback, given in the form of a survey taken last March, asked many different questions, UREC Coordinator of Membership and Development Olga Polyak said.
In the survey, faculty and staff members were asked to judge the effectiveness of the program, rate what times would work best for faculty members and the results of changes made due to the change in management.
“The purpose was to better understand faculty and staff needs and what they wanted in the program,” Polyak said. “The main thing confirmed is that faculty and staff wanted convenient, affordable options for lunch time fitness.”
Those who are members in the program have access to facilities in the Smith Gym, the Physical Education Building and the Hollingbery Field House, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Faculty will have access to the pool, rock wall, racquetball courts and basketball courts, as well as towel services and locker room use.
“It still has many of the amenities we have here, but again, it’s centralized to campus so it’s easier for them to get over there,” Verduzco said.
Wellbeing classes and workshops will also be offered, covering topics such as improving work outs and nutrition.
Verduzco said members typically see an improvement in their day’s activities after working out.
“Your health and your exercise play into many parts of your life,” she said. “Working out can change the mood of their day by just getting that break away from their desk.”
To register, faculty members can go to the website, either through the Office of the Provost website, or at http://facultystafffitness.wsu.edu to register. An annual membership is $199 starting Aug.1 of the current year and extending to Aug. 31 of the next year. Fall and Spring specific memberships are available for $99 each. A summer membership for $49 is also available.
