The Harold J. Callais Recreation Center is prepared to help faculty, staff and students get in shape for the New Year.

This Monday, group exercise samplers started for students and faculty to test the different group workouts the recreation center provides, this includes classes in kickboxing, barre, Yoga and Insanity.

“The samplers are 10 to 15 minutes of each group exercise class that we offer,” said Kat Slosarek, fitness and wellness coordinator. “So if somebody wants to see what they are like, they can come and try them out.” There was also an intro to Yoga workshop.

“This is for anyone interested in Yoga and doesn’t know what things like ‘Downward Dog’ are. We’re going to go over the basic core of what poses the instructor uses. It’s in a workshop form where we get to talk and just try out a few of the different poses,” Sloserak said.

On Saturday, there was an intro to the strength room with personal trainers available. Slosarek said the room can intimidate a lot of people. It was made available for people to come in, get to know the equipment and ask any questions they might have.

Macus Fox, a senior in marketing, has worked at the recreation center for the past two years and says that there are usually more students using the recreation center this time of year.

“There are always more people around this time to workout and try to lose their holiday pounds,” Fox said. “We try to add new classes all year to get more people coming in. We always try to get feedback from the students on how the classes are going, what needs to be changed and what they like and dislike so we can better accommodate them.”

Raymond Nichols, a senior in athletic training, uses the recreation center often.

“I’ve been playing football most of my life. I’m done now, but I’m just trying to stay fit,” said Nichols.

Nichols has heard of the new classes and has thought about joining one, but just never got around it.
“It’s the thought that counts,” said Nichols.

As far as keeping New Year’s resolutions, the best thing anyone can do is find a partner and make a schedule.

“Try to find someone who can workout with you… Someone who will hold you accountable,” Slosarek said. “Plan your week out. It makes you more likely to go.”