Radical Rec Fest, held last night at the Peters Recreation Complex, brought tie-dye back in fashion while staff promoted all the Rec had to offer.
Melissa Copp, assistant direct of fitness recreational services, said every semester, the night before group fitness classes start, the center sponsors Rec Fest with a different theme each semester.
With a drawing containing prizes like free canoe and kayak rentals, T-shirts, free cycle classes and free personal training sessions, and a push-up contest containing a prize of a free five-week session of the bootcamp class A.M.P.E.D., students and Rec members had reason to stick around from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Also provided was personal training testing, which included body-mass-index readings, push-up strength test, sit-up endurance and flexibility.
The Rec set up 15-minute sessions of the group fitness classes in different rooms and areas so people could preview them.
“Tonight they can try a variety of classes and get the feel for the future,” said Molly Emert, group fitness teacher and fall 2009 K-State graduate. “This is especially great for freshmen and transfer students to see what the Rec offers.”
Freshman in nutrition sciences, Kayla Zimmerly, said “Armz & Abz” in the East Multi-purpose Room was alright. She wanted to try out the class because she plans to take some and wanted to know what interested her. Zimmerly said the 15-minute session was good because she was not out of breath but still got a feel for what it would be like.
One example class was “Cardio Funk.” It started with two warm-up songs and then three routines based on hip-hop, Latin and salsa styles of dance.
Janelle Williams, Jardine staff member, said she liked the high energy. Williams said she came to Rec Fest because it was the only way to get her freshmen students in the Guide to Personal Success program, or GPS, to go.
“My friends did the cycling and felt the burn,” said Emily Boardman, senior in public health nutrition and treasurer of Sensible Nutrition and Body Image Choices. “It would be fun to actually participate; I wish I could do some classes, but I love supporting S.N.A.C.”
Boardman, along with a number of other representatives, stood beside stands promoting their organizations, including intramurals, K-State Challenge Course, Sexual Health Awareness Peer Educators, and Lafene Health Center, to those who attended the event.
“I think this is one of the biggest Rec Fests we have had in a long time,” Copp said. “We had really good involvement from the student staff as well.”
Copp said she is excited for everything to get started.
Classes like “Hip Hop For All” cost $25 for K-State students and $35 for Rec members and “Just Dance” costs $20 for K-State students and $30 for Rec members, whereas, group fitness classes are free and start today.
Group cycle classes are $1 per session and the class “Pedal Hard” is $12 for K-State students and $15 for Rec members.
For a full schedule of classes, go to the Rec website, www.recservices.k-state.edu.