One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is weight loss by starting a new exercise program, both of which are conveniently available through services offered by UW’s very own Half Acre Gym.
By February, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions have failed according to U.S. News. These statistics may seem grim, but Half Acre has ways to circumvent this through its facilities as well as class and personal training option.
“Campus Recreation offers a huge variety of state-of-the-art cardio and weight training equipment, including treadmills, step mills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, free weights and weight machines,” Sarah Luke, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, said.
Half Acre is open 96 hours a week, giving UW students and patrons alike opportunities throughout their weekly grind to attend to their fitness goals.
For those looking for something other than just athletic equipment there are options.
“We also have a 1/8-mile indoor track, aquatic facilities, 38’ climbing tower with an extensive bouldering wall and indoor courts for racquetball, basketball, volleyball and badminton,” Luke said.
The current group fitness schedule has 51 classes that are available to all gym-goers. Some of the classes options include yoga, swimming, cycling and Zumba.
Head Group Fitness Instructor Lauren Elliott feels that the classes offered by Half Acre have great potential for those in attendance. Enthusiastic teachers leading patrons in upbeat activity creates a positive environment in which people can thrive in their fitness goals.
“For those who are new to exercise, the group fitness instructor breaks down the components of each movement, emphasizing in their instruction good, proper form,” Elliott said. “This allows new exercisers to learn lots of effective movements quickly that they can then do on their own outside of class and provides motivation.”
Classes such as the ones that are offered at the gym give students opportunities not only to improve their personal fitness level, but they can make friends and connections with others in attendance.
Having friends and other people as motivators may lend themselves well to helping students follow up on their New Year’s Resolutions.
“I did sports all throughout high school and it’s definitely something I miss, having not just practice and someone forcing you to work out, but working with the people that you like,” Alicia Zaragoza, a secondary education major, said.
Outside of the classes at Half Acre, there are also intramural sports that foster an environment of fitness and inclusivity.
Zaragoza is an active participant in both volleyball and basketball intramurals. Having a community with which she can participate in fast-paced fitness and games has a positive impact on her personal goals, even though she doesn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions.
“I say the saying, ‘New Year, new me,’ all the time, but I’m not kidding because I start all the time,” Zaragoza said.
Zaragoza opinion on starting all the time to be effective in goal setting is also shared by Business Administration major Sterling Baker.
“I think it’s great to be able to start fresh, but I prefer to be able to start fresh more frequently, so instead of starting fresh each year, I prefer to see each day and each week as an opportunity to start fresh,” said Baker.
Reevaluation of resolutions is a positive trend in the way these two students approach their fitness goals. Half Acre does its best to accommodate all patrons seeking a way to improve their health.
“In my opinion, Half Acre is a great place to exercise,” Elliott said. “I love that it is in the middle of campus so I can exercise between classes or before I head home for the night. The huge variety of equipment, services, classes and activities makes it a great place for anyone, regardless of skill or expertise.”
Having Half Acre as a place that offers support and venues in which students can work at getting fit and sticking to exercise programs makes it a viable and essential part of campus. This Feb. there are still ways to say that it’s a New Year and you can become a new you.
