An acai bowl from Juice 2 inside the RPAC Credit: Madison MacEachen | Lantern reporter.
The RPAC is taking strides in the new year to encourage students to keep up with 2017 fitness resolutions.
The fitness center introduced a new workout area, several new fitness classes and new food items in its cafe this semester.
A recent study by iQuanti showed there was a rise in Google searches for fitness-related terms compared to last year, including a 315 percent increase in searches for the word “gym” alone.
To get students through the door and keep them coming back, Abby Whaley, Director of RPAC Operations, said the staff is focused on maintaining a user-friendly environment for gym novices and offering more challenges for RPAC regulars
In order to keep up with this trend, Whaley said an update to the second-floor highlights the RPAC’s effort to offer more space for functional fitness. This type of workout typically involves “activities and movements that transition to your everyday life, like reaching down to pick up a heavy box (translates to) flipping a tire,” Whaley said.
The area near the raquetball courts on the second floor was transformed into an open area with room for high-intensity exercises and sprints. Old cardio equipment was replaced with tires, battle ropes, and turf flooring. This space now gives students who frequent group fitness classes like Cross Training and Buckeye Bootcamp the opportunity to do similar exercises on their own, Whaley said.
It took a year to transform the first floor balcony, which now has new cardio machines, Whaley said. The equipment was also rearranged to allow more room for floor exercises as well.
For students who prefer a group setting, but are crunched for time or intimidated by full-length classes, the RPAC now offers express versions of the full body challenge and pilates classes. Alice Adams, RPAC fitness coordinator, said these classes — shortened by 10-15 minutes compared to a typical hourlong class — give students even more options of class times to select from based on their availability.
Adams also recommended the new 50 minute cardio barbell class for weightlifting beginners or those wanting to focus on strength training.
“(It)incorporates basic barbell movements and nonstop reps with quick changes in tempo to keep the class fresh and moving,” Adams said.
In addition, Juice 2 inside the RPAC now offers smoothie bowls. The new Acai bowls have two choices for flavor bases topped with granola, coconut shavings, chocolate chips or fresh fruit, among other toppings.
