Category Archives: Fitness

Being physically active in college is a great way to manage stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Adventure Recreation

#HealthyPSU, Fitness, On Campus

Do you enjoy adventures in the great outdoors?  Maybe you’ve never been the outdoorsy type, but would like to give it a try.  Penn State’s Adventure Recreation makes outdoor adventure fun and convenient by including transportation, equipment, food, and lodging for their all-inclusive adventure trips.  Adventure Rec instructors provide guidance and teach participants how to use safety gear.   This summer, Adventure Recreation trips include climbing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting.  Visit the website for descriptions.  Check the HPS blog for updates about trips during the 2016-2017 academic year.

adventure rec

Tips for Being Active at Penn State

#HealthyPSU, Fitness

Being active is one of the most important things you can do for your health and happiness. Staying physically active doesn’t have to mean long, grueling hours at the gym. It can be as simple as taking a walk while having your weekly phone call with Mom or your best friend from home. You can be physically active regardless of your lifestyle, fitness level, or interests. Select activities that fit best in your life. Here are some tips to get you started.

Tips for Being Active at Penn State:

1. Walk to class instead of taking the bus
2. Play frisbee with your friends
3. Take the stairs, not the elevator
4. Take a walk in the Woodlands Trails at the Arboretum
5. Join a dance club with a friend. Go to http://bit.ly/1hYqxLE and search under “Music/Performing Arts”

Visit this link to learn more about the benefits of being active

Get Fit & Win with the Penn State Fitness Challenge

#HealthyPSU, Fitness, On Campus,

Getting regular physical activity can lead to better grades, improved physical and mental health, more restful sleep, and now, a chance to win some seriously great prizes.

HealthWorks, a peer education team in University Health Services, is proud to present the 2015 Penn State Fitness Challenge. Whether you’re a regular at the gym or just starting out, any student with a valid PSU fitness membership can participate. The steps are simple:

  1. Pick up a free punch card today while supplies last at White Building, Rec Hall, or IM Building fitness info desks.
  2. Between Monday, March 23rd and Friday, April 17th, work out at least 20 times at White Building, Rec Hall, or IM Building fitness centers or classes. Be sure to present your punch card to receive a punch (limit 1 punch/day).
  3. If you’ve earned at least 20 punches on your card by April 17th, return your card to the White Building, Rec Hall or IM information desks to be entered to win prizes.

Every student who completes the challenge will receive a Healthy Penn State pack and will be entered to win prizes, including:

  • $75 gift certificate to Rapid Transit
  • Prize pack from Appalachian Outdoors
  • Yoga mat, block, and carrying strap from University Health Services
  • Yoga mat + 10 class pass  from Yoga in State College
  • Body composition tests from Fitology
  • Heart rate monitor and watch combo kits from Campus Recreation
  • Trader Joe’s snack pack

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates. The Challenge is co-sponsored by University Health Services and Campus Recreation.

Penn State Fitness Challenge 2015

 

Steroid Abuse Not a Healthy Shortcut to Fitness

#HealthyPSU, Fitness, Healthy Eating, On Campus, , ,

steroidLance Armstrong. Marion Jones. A-Rod. Almost everyone has seen headlines exposing famous athletes caught in illegal steroid abuse scandals. While less commonly discussed, steroid abuse is also a concern for the “regular Joes” of the population.

Steroids (full name anabolic androgenic steroids) are substances that mimic testosterone. They are used medically for their ability to stimulate the development of muscle tissue and male sexual characteristics.1 Some individuals abuse these substances, using them not for medical purposes, but to quickly increase muscle mass. Luckily, steroid abuse appears to be relatively uncommon—research estimates that 3-4% of men abuse steroids at some point in their lives. However, the prevalence of steroid abuse is estimated to be higher among regular gym-goers.2

Individuals who use steroids without a prescription and those considering it should be aware of the negative consequences of steroid abuse. The Drug Enforcement Agency classifies steroids as a Schedule III controlled substance; the penalty for possessing steroids without a prescription is a minimum $1,000 fine and maximum of one year in prison for first drug offenses. Additionally, steroid abuse has been linked to many negative health consequences. Short term effects can include acne, baldness, breast development in males, and shrinking of the testicles. Long term effects can include infertility, heart problems, and liver cancer.1

Gains in fitness don’t happen overnight— getting in shape requires patience and dedication. If good old fashioned hard work and sweat alone aren’t cutting it, here are three resources that Penn State University Park offers to help students get fit naturally:

1. Fitness Center Orientations- Learn what the Rec Hall, Intramural, and White Building Fitness Centers have to offer with a free Fitness Center Orientation! Whether you just need a lay-of-the-land or want to learn how to use equipment, fitness center members can sign up for one free session per facility. See a fitness training or desk attendant for details.

2. Personal Training- Stay motivated and reach your fitness goals with a personalized exercise program designed by Campus Recreation’s qualified Personal Trainers. Single sessions, as well as 5 and 10-session packages are available. An initial fitness assessment is included in 5 and 10-session packages. Each session is 60 minutes one-on-one with your personal trainer. You must have a fitness center membership or purchase a day pass in order to use training sessions. Sign up at the Rec Hall, White Building, or IM Fitness Centers. Contact Erin Raupers at eeg5005@psu.edu with questions.

  • 1 session: $25 (Student), $33 (Faculty/Staff)
  • 5 sessions: $112.50 (Student), $150 (Faculty/Staff)
  • 10 sessions: $200 (Student), $280 (Faculty/Staff)

3. Nutrition Counseling- Healthy eating and exercise go hand-in-hand, and individual nutrition counseling at UHS can help. You’ll meet one-on-one with a registered dietitian who will tailor your diet to meet your personal health needs. Make an appointment on the UHS website or by calling 814-863-0461. Costs vary by insurances.

Sources:

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2006
  2. Rahnema et al., 2014

Cut back on spending without cutting back on fitness

Fitness, On Campus, ,

It’s no secret that as college students, we’re often short on cash and need to save whenever possible. However, one area that we should never cut back on is our physical fitness. Regular physical activity benefits both body and mind—it can reduce your risk of many chronic diseases and stimulate areas of the brain associated with memory and learning.

If purchasing a fitness membership is tough on your wallet, there are still plenty of options around campus for getting a great workout. Check out some of the best free resources in the area, including some hidden gems:

1. Running:

Running and walking around campus is a great, easy way to work out. Did you know there is a free indoor track above the volleyball court in Rec Hall? There are also beautiful running trails north of the Arboretum in Hartley Wood to enjoy during the warmer months.

2. Yoga:

In addition to improving your flexibility and fitness, yoga can help you to relax. University Health Services offers free yoga in 205 Student Health Center. Classes are taught by local instructors and are appropriate for all skill levels. Yoga mats, straps and blocks are provided.

3. Sports:

Our campus offers many fields and courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, football, and soccer. Stop by a commons desk to check out equipment, and get a game started! Bad weather? No problem– basketball, racquetball, squash, and volleyball courts are available in Rec Hall and the IM building. Stop by the equipment office to borrow gear or bring your own.

4. Open Space:

Ever notice how big our recreation facilities are? Turns out not everything requires a fitness membership. As long as the rooms aren’t reserved, you can find a room full of mirrors perfect for dancing in the White Building. In addition to the free indoor track, Rec Hall also offers mats, pull up bars, monkey bars, and stahl bars under the bleachers of the volleyball court. This is a great quiet place to do stretches and core work.

Photo of Emma

About the Blogger: 

Emma is a senior majoring in Nutrition. She is a physical activity team leader for HealthWorks, a peer health education program within University Health Services.

#LoveYourBody Week wraps up!

Fitness, On Campus,

Thanks to everyone who participated in Love Your Body Week’s events and helped to spread the message of self-love around campus.  Here are some photos of the week’s festivities, including submissions from students about what they love best about their bodies.

Recap: Students push themselves at Extreme Stater adventure race

Fitness, On Campus, ,

What did YOU do this past Sunday?  These brave and adventurous students made a day out of pushing themselves to the limit.  From scaling hay walls, to running close to 4 miles, to flipping a giant tire with their teammates, they helped to make Extreme Stater’s inaugural race a huge success.

Let’s hear it for all the teams and this year’s winners:

1st place-Crossfrat with a winning time of 1 hour, 1 minute

Members: Tom Nichols, Shannon Greenbaum, Kayla Susko and Niall Hannagen 2nd place-

Pick Up with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes

Members: Anthony Shank, Chaniece Tarpley, Travis Ritter and Elisabth Polanco

3rd place-Midnight Slayers with a time of 1 hour, 12 minutes Members: Dan Warnaka, Nathan Brockett, Rachel Denny and Allison Powers.

 

Hula Hoops and Health: Over 250 Students Participated In ‘Fall Into Fitness’

Fitness, Healthy Eating, , ,

Living a healthy lifestyle as a college student doesn’t have to be a challenge. Over 250 students stopped by the “Fall Into Fitness” event on September 13 to learn about healthy resources available to them as University Park students.

The event, which was held on the East Quad, featured a niche resource fair, where students could learn about fitness and health-related resources on campus, including: Rec Sports (IM Sports), Food Services, Stone Valley, Strength & Fitness, and the HealthWorks peer education program at University Health Services.

Thanks to the following HealthWorks volunteers for helping us with the hula hooping, music, giveaways, and more!

  • Katherine Haar
  • Paige Becker
  • Brittany Truscott
  • Emma Beidler
  • Shelly Squire
  • Krystal Roseboro
  • Kelly Concannon
  • Rayna Herskowitz
  • Kayla Kirschner
  • Dayna Ukwuoma
  • Diane Ukwuoma
  • Tim Chiang
  • Sharon Cheung
  • Molly Grove