“If people keep gaining weight at the current rate, fat will be the norm by 2015, with 75 percent of U.S. adults overweight and 41 percent obese.” This startling prediction, recently posted on http://www.msnbc.msn.com /id/19845784 as a full news story, was formed by U.S. researchers after a thorough analysis of weight-related studies.
News stories focusing on overweight and obese Americans are becoming redundant and, quite frankly, I am starting to find them a little depressing.
What does interest me is why America has become such an overweight nation. I cannot allow myself to believe that it is simply because we are all too lazy.
A common excuse for being overweight or obese is that a membership to a fitness club is too expensive, or that driving somewhere to work out is time consuming.
Luckily, for ETSU students, we have both of those problems solved. The Basler Center for Physical Activity is a fitness facility for students and is conveniently located on the main campus of ETSU.
The CPA, which opened in 2002, is a massive building large enough to cater to the unique needs that students have. Yet, interestingly, of the 13,000-plus students that attend ETSU, it is roughly estimated that only 2,200 actually use the facility.
Jon Kroll, the assistant director of the CPA, provided a lot of information that could possibly be helpful and encouraging to students that are interested in the CPA but are somewhat hesitant.
The reasons and goals students have for going to the CPA differ from person to person. Some want to lose weight and get in shape, while others merely want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The staff is friendly, approachable and ready and willing to help show a student how to use a particular machine or where something is. If you are a student that has never worked out before, there are personal trainers that can show you how to operate the equipment and even show you a basic program regime to follow. There is no charge to work with a personal trainers, but because of the high demand, it may take some time to see one.
The fitness classes are among the most popular offerings at the CPA. A class that is particularly interesting is the boot camp class. The boot camp class, which is led by instructor and graduate assistant Nani Wilemon, is being offered for the first time at the CPA.
The interval-based class is high intensity and focuses on cardio and weight-training. The words boot camp and class may steer many students away, but Wilemon insists that the boot camp program can be tailored to what an individual’s fitness level is.
The main goal Wilemon had in mind when coming up with the workout regime was a “more bang for your buck” method. Wilemon explained that the workouts are designed for agility and balance.
In addition, the class is designed in such a way that instead of focusing on one main area of the body, the whole body benefits from the workout. The class meets Thursdays from 6-7 p.m.
If the boot camp class does not pique your interest, there are numerous other classes to choose from. The most popular classes for the mind and body are the yoga and pilates classes.
If you enjoy a cardio intense workout, Kardio Kickbox or step aerobics may be for you. All the aerobics classes are designed with the idea that someone new may join at any time, and that is what the instructors want and encourage.
The facility itself has a 15,000 square-foot weight room, which holds the 30 cardiovascular machines, as well as the weight machines. Besides the main workout area, there is a 40-foot indoor pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a 40-foot indoor climbing wall, aerobics studio and many more amenities.
For students that seek a bit more action, the CPA also offers intramural sports such as: basketball, flag football or volleyball.
If you enjoy being outside, the CPA has an outdoor program where students can participate in kayaking, mountain biking or weekend backpacking.
The CPA, located across from Lucille Clement dormitory, offers just about anything and everything a student could want in the form of physical activities. With a swipe of your student I.D., you can enjoy the benefits the CPA has to offer.
The days and hours of operation are as follows: Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Peak hours usually run from 3-8 p.m.
The cost of going to ETSU isn’t cheap, and you should take the opportunity to use some of the amenities. The CPA has so much to offer ETSU students, and considering the fact that it is convenient to go there, we all should take advantage of the facility.
Yet more than using an ETSU amenity, we should use it to maintain or gain a healthy lifestyle, to make us feel good about ourselves and to adopt a routine that is good for our body.
If you have any additional questions about the CPA you can call 439-7980, or visit the CPA Web site at www.etsu.edu/rec.

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