Reinhardt College helps students and staff get fit

Professors who stand in front of a classroom spewing information about science or one of the liberal arts can look rather intimidating to their young students. But when those same professors extend their bodies onto a mat and try to grab their feet with their hands, they can appear rather common — even comical.

“It’s kind of weird,” said Britannica Washington, a sophomore at Reinhardt College who takes a yoga class with several biology professors and staff members. They try very hard, she says, but often struggle to perform the moves.

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Reinhardt College

Reinhardt College students are taking advantage of on-campus exercise course, such as zumba classes.

REINHARDT COLLEGE, CHEROKEE CAMPUS
Reason nominated: Group fitness program
Who benefits: Students, faculty and staff
Lesson that can be learned: Fitness should be a part of campus life.

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“To see them in yoga makes you realize that they’re normal people and don’t do science all the time,” she said.

Washington’s yoga class is among six free, on-campus group exercise classes offered by the private Christian institution’s Cherokee campus in Waleska. The program began this fall after more than 70 percent of the students responding to a survey voiced a desire for group exercise classes on campus.

Their wish was Walter May’s command.

“When students express an interest in something, I go out and try to put it together,” said May, assistant dean of students.

That’s exactly what he did, by delivering a fitness program in conjunction with the local YMCA where the college’s 1,028 students, 65 faculty and 140 staff members can enjoy on-campus classes free of charge. Four days a week, participants can work their bodies in Pilates, yoga, core-conditioning and zumba classes taught by certified instructors from the G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA.

Two years in the making, the exercise program is part of the college’s commitment to lifelong learning and healthy living, said May, also director of student activities. More than $3,600 of student activity fees was allocated to renovate the weight room where the classes are held and outfit it with a portable sound system. Activity fees also secured yoga mats, resistance balls, step platforms and dumbbells and the YMCA’s coordination and instruction.

The classes allow students, staff and faculty to mingle together outside the classroom, and also attract prospective students looking for campus resources and services offered, May said. Reinhardt also offers trails for mountain biking, hiking and running.

Washington enjoys the time to forget about her studies and focus instead on her body and fellowship with friends in the class.

“When I leave, I just feel totally relaxed,” said the early childhood education major, who plans to take a body sculpting and toning class next semester.

Executive assistant Kirsten Mazur, who takes Pilates and core conditioning, has lost five pounds since beginning the group classes.

“There’s a lot of things about our health we can’t help, but [my weight] is something I can control, ” Mazur said.