You At Your Best

By KarEn riCE you aT your BEsT You resolve to get fit in 2022, but don't know where to start? You'd love to have a personal trainer, but think you can't afford one? Fitness for Fun, a community-based program offered by the University of Arkansas, is a perfect solution. The goal of the program is to teach participants to enjoy exercise and learn to maintain and improve health through one-on- one personal training. And it's open to students, faculty and community members as well. "If you have never used a personal trainer before and would like to give a try in a low-key environment, this is a great place to start," says Megan Jones, an Exercise Science Doctoral Student at the University of Arkansas and the coordinator of Fitness for Fun. "If you don't enjoy it, the program ends after a few months and there is no commitment to continue. If you do like it, you are given the first opportunity to sign-up for the next session." Fitness for Fun is designed to assist individuals in developing healthier lifestyles through education and a structured exercise routine. Although the program is designed for the adult exerciser, trainers are well prepared for exercisers of all ages. Participants receive a comprehensive fitness assessment, a personalized exercise prescription and a semester of one-hour personal training sessions, 2-3 times a week. Follow-up assessments at the end of the program allow participants to chart their progress and develop future exercise strategies to fit their areas of interest. Exercise is not just important for those who are interested in "looking good," Megan points out. "Did you know your heart is a muscle?" she emphasizes. "This means that it is just like every other muscle in the body, in that forcing it to work a little harder than normal through exercise makes it stronger. You can make your heart stronger at any phase in life, which could potentially help it stay strong later in life. As for the other muscles, keeping them moving and exercising them will help you stay mobile." The same goes for resistance training. Megan says it's often viewed as something for people who want to be "jacked" or "shredded" but that shouldn't be the case. "Resistance training in younger years can help you stay mobile and independent later in life," she notes. "I have even worked with older adults who were already using walking aids, started them on low resistance training program, and have been able to get them off their walking aids and moving independently again. It's never too late to start!" When you sign up for the Fitness for Fun program, you'll get the benefit of working with trainers who are completing their Exercise Science degrees at the University of Arkansas, so they have all the knowledge necessary to create an effective program for you. Megan notes that for many of them, this is the first time they are putting their knowledge into practice, which makes them incredibly enthusiastic about working with you. They work under close guidance from a Certified Exercise Physiologist to create your personalized exercise program. Program Features • 1-on-1 personal training for a semester • 1 hour sessions, 2-3 times per week • Access to UREC Facilities — 1 semester • Final comprehensive exercise program • Pre- and Post-Fitness assessment with personalized fitness program Pre- and Post-Fitness Assessment • Maximal Graded Exercise Test • Resting and Exercise EKG • Body Composition Assessment • Blood Analysis (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Glucose) • Strength and Flexibility Tests low-cost, personal training low commitment FAQ What are the dates for each semester? • Fall: September-December • Spring: January-April • Summer: May-August When will the sessions take place? Your trainer will work around your schedule How much does it cost? Fall/Spring o Full-time University of Arkansas students — $215 o Faculty/staff/community member — $235 Summer o Full-time University of Arkansas students — $160 o Faculty/staff/community member — $160 Do you have to participate in both the pre- and post- assessment? Pre-assessments are strongly encouraged for new participants, however, both pre and post assessments are optional. Where can I train/exercise? Donna Axum Fitness Center, or anywhere else on campus. You can sign up by visiting the Fitness for Fun webpage: https://bit.ly/3obTLM3 and filling out the very short form under "sign-up for Fitness for Fun" or email your name and the semester you are interested in at fit4fun@uark. edu. There are a limited number of spots each semester based on the number of trainers available. For more information call 479-575-6762. 8 | you aT your BEsT | youaTyourBEsT.nwaonlinE.Com January - Goals for Great Health | sunday, dECEmBEr 26, 2021

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