By Giselle Cancio/Staff Writer
The Recreation Center is offering new PantherFIT classes this semester and will be approving bids for the architecture of the expansion.
“There will be an added gymnasium, an expansion of the cardio and free weight room and two group fitness rooms added with one specifically for spinning,” Director of Recreation Services Rob Frye said.
In addition, there will be an expansion of locker rooms and a revamped office for the trainers.
The trainers, which are all undergraduate or graduate students, are currently working out of a storage closet equipped with office furniture. The plans include a more spacious office in order to make working more comfortable.
Bids are currently under review for the architecture of the expansion and the projects are expected to start construction in Spring of 2015 with completion in Summer of 2016.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be an enrolled student when the expansion is completed, but I think it’s great that they are adding needed space in the cardio section and an extra gym,” Senior Health Administration major Stephanie Suarez said. “Sometimes I walk into the rec center and have to walk right back out from the congestion of people.”
While they plan for the future, the Recreation Center always tries to add new activities or services for the students to engage in.
PantherFIT group fitness classes have become a popularity amongst the students.
“I’ve made it a habit to include PantherFIT classes in my weekly schedule because they are a fun and diverse way to get my exercise done for the day,” junior Communication Arts major Kristen Gonzalez said.
According to the Recreation Centers website, PantherFIT group fitness classes are a fun, motivating and challenging way to fit exercise in your daily schedule. Generally an hour in length, the cardio/strength and mind/body classes reflect the latest trends in group fitness.
The classes are separated by categories, and the following areas are offered: Group Strength, Cardio, Dance Fitness, Mind/Body and Specialty. With over 80 classes offered weekly, three of the additions this semester are Spin Energy Zone, Bollywood BodyWork and Power Yoga.
Spin EnegryZone is a five component spin class focused on training the body, mind and willingness to keep pedaling. Half the class is on the bike and the other half is off the bike, providing the participants with total body training.
Bollywood WorkOut is indian cultured cardio. It is a dance class that is constant moving and burning fat with eastern jams in the background.
Power Yoga offers continuous movement from one position to the next creating an effective aerobic workout. There is a combination of stretching and strengthening moves and it is effective for beginners and/or experts.
There is a consistent schedule throughout the semester and they are posted online at recreation.fiu.edu. Depending on the time of the day, the classes are either free or $2. Most afternoon classes have the added cost and most morning and weekend classes are free. Students need to register before the class starts since there is a maximum capacity per session.
Aside from the PantherFIT classes, the recreation center is trying to enhance the front desk check-in station.
“With the possible funding from the technology fee, we are looking to get a system at the front desk that allows the staff to see the students face when the ID is swiped. We currently only have a card reader that says if the card is invalid or valid, but the checking of the identity is manual,” Frye said.
In order to implement this system, research needs to be completed because it needs to be compatible with the current systems. This would allow the recreation center staff to make sure students aren’t using other students Panther IDs. There is currently no timetable on the possible launch of this system.
The Recreation Center is also working on adding online payments for the adventure recreation trips and facility rental fees so that students and/or faculty staff can save the trip to pay in person.
About Post Author
