Rec Center Offers Virtual Workouts And Athletic Training Via Zoom

Screenshot from one of the Athletic Training Q&A’s.

Irina Barneda/ Staff Writer

During these unprecedented times, it can be easy to lose motivation and forget the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

 To help students stay fit, the FIU Wellness and Recreation Center is offering virtual workouts, live weekly classes, on-demand fitness options, and professional development. 

“As far as fitness events, we offer workout sessions and also teach healthy techniques (such as how to stretch your body out post-exercise),” said Brittany Baldwin, Assistant Director of Fitness Programs & Wellness. “On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays prerecorded sessions come out on Youtube, and then Mondays through Sundays we do fitness classes live through zoom.”

Zoom fitness class schedule:

Monday 12-12:30 Core and More

Tuesday 12-1 SoBe Buns

Wed 12-1 Power Lunch HIIT Class

Thurs 12-1 Cycle and Sculpt

Fri 6:30-7:30 Power Zumba

Sat 10:30a – 11:30 Zumba

Sunday 9:30a-10:30 Zumba

Along with fitness classes, the WRC is also offering virtual personal training.

“In these sessions, a trainer will do a virtual assessment of the student and create a personalized program. Then, through zoom, the trainer will watch and monitor the student,” said Baldwin. “So people who need more specialized workouts have a way of getting them just as they would on campus.”

Personal training is available to everyone at FIU, however, there is an additional cost. Pricing can be found on the WRC website. 

“Most trainers performing the sessions have or are pursuing degrees and fitness certifications, therefore they are highly certified and knowledgeable. You’ll be getting a quality experience,” said Baldwin.

For students interested in becoming athletic trainers and learning how to prevent injuries while working out at home, every Thursday at 4 p.m. the WRC offers a chance to speak to one of their athletic trainers on Zoom. 

“We offered this athletic trainer Q&A before the remote learning,” said Clinical Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Athletic Training, Dr. Nicolette Harris. “This is our way to keep communication with our patients and community.”

It’s important for people to stay mindful of their fitness and wellness even while self-quarantined, and the rec center is helping people do that.

“The WRC gives people something to look forward to,” said Baldwin. “People know that we do these zoom sessions weekly, so the sessions become a priority in their schedules in order to keep normalcy and routine in life.”

So far, the programs have proven successful, according to Baldwin.

“It has been really good,” she said. “We’ve been getting attendance upwards of 80 people in each class and really good feedback from the participants.”

For some, the quarantine has been an opportunity to focus on themselves.

“Quarantine has actually improved my fitness level,” said Baldwin. “I now have more time to focus on my fitness, explore things, and try new modalities that I traditionally wouldn’t. It can be seen as an opportunity if you look at it with a positive mindset.”

For others, it has taken away opportunities.

“We are very tactile, very hands-on,” said Vaughan. “I haven’t been able to be hands-on in over a month, so I am worried about my skills because now that I can’t use my hands, it’s forcing me to shift my skill sets to other areas. It’s not easy, it’s just figuring out how I can use my abilities in other areas.” 

Baldwin shared some tips on how people can stay motivated while they self-quarantine. 

“This is the time to explore things you’ve always been interested in. Time to check Youtube, speak to professionals and discover. Now is the time to try everything so when things return to normal, you can have a new hobby or passion.”

For more information on how to register for fitness sessions, visit the WRC website https://studentaffairs.fiu.edu//health-and-fitness/recreation/the-virtual-wrc/index.php

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