Students Provide Fitness Motivation for Staff and Peers

Jessica Diers, Staff Reporter

Jessica_Diers@csumb.edu

May 8, 2008

A large crowd of staff and students

gathered at the entrance of the

Otter Sports Center three times this

month on Wednesday afternoons

as staff waited in anticipation for

a chance to better understand the

dynamics of a gym. While students

from Doctor Kent Adams personal

training class double checked

weight lifting routines and mentally

prepared to introduce staff to the

world of weight training.

“Instead of having class we’ve

been walking over to the gym

to teach staff strength training

techniques. The three people

I’ve trained have been totally

personable and receptive to my

teaching,” explained Lindsey

McElrath, Kinesiology senior.

The program enabled McElrath

to evolve from a student in class to

a fitness trainer wanting to make a

difference in the lives of her clients.

Through this program, students

were able to have an impact on

various CSUMB staff members.

Betty Little a Teacher Education

staff member, compared her

students personal training experience

to “jump starting an engine.” Little

said that students provided her with

a spark in the right direction and

now her engine is raring to go and

build some muscle.

CSUMB Advancement

Specialist Marge Sanico said, “I

enjoyed this immensely. It gave

me great incentive to get out and

exercise in different variety. I

would recommend fitness training

with our students on campus to

anyone. This was just what I

needed to get motivated.”

Kristi McMahon, CSUMB

benefits specialist, organizes

wellness seminars for staff on

campus and said that the staff stated

they wanted to practice what they

were learning, which led them into

the gym with Kent Adams and his

physical fitness students.

“Some of our staff didn’t have

any experience with weight

training. This educated and began

to de-funk the myth of I can’t do

it,” said McMahon. “I’ve been

working with Doctor Adams to

promote healthy lifestyles for

staff members.”

McMahon stated that she has

received only positive feedback

from students and staff, as well as

an obvious desire for this fitness

outreach program to continue.

“We hope to continue this, but

right now I am still in discussion

with Doctor Adams to see where

we can take it,” said McMahon.

With a little will power and an

extra jump start from students, staff

member’s engines are raring to get

up and go for fitness. A new sense

of motivation and a glistening

sweat across faces could be a new

beginning for staff members who

never thought building muscle

would be a personal goal.