2008 Woodie Awards
Faculty, staff join Boot Camp program
Ryan Rossback
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
In an attempt to improve general health all around campus, Pacific University's Wellness Committee, along with the Exercise Science department, organized the Staff Boot Camp.
There won't be any 4 a.m. wake-up calls or fiery drill sergeants in this program.
However, the 29 participating staff and faculty members have each been assigned a student personal trainer to help them devise and execute a specific dietary and exercise regiment over the next nine weeks.
Several staff and faculty members applied to partake in the program. However, the number was limited to 29 due to the limited amount of students, who will earn independent study credit for their efforts.
At the beginning of the Boot Camp, participants underwent group measurements of things such as body composition, strngth, endurance and girth dimensions.
Progress will be tracked weekly in a non-competitive manner.
"Group motivation is one of the cornerstones of the program," said Brian Jackson, exercise science professor and head men's tennis coach, who was one of the organizers of the course.
Participants can create their workout schedules with their student personal trainers, which can then be posted on Blackboard to be reviewed by other members.
Partakers can use the system to either find a work out buddy among other staff or faculty, or to schedule one-on-one time in the weight room with their students.
"I think it's really important these programs get tailor made for the individual," said Jackson.
The name Boot Camp refers to how the program is designed to create something that participants will continue after the 9 weeks.
Jackson stresses the importance of a lifestyle change to keep the participants motivated and not regress to old habits.
Jackson hopes to expand the program in the future by attracting more students to become personal trainers, possibly increasing the number of participants to nearly 50, and by maybe offering it as a full course.
In addition, the Pacific University Human Resources and the Wellness Committee is sponsoring the "Health & Wellness Brown Bag Luncheon Series," where guest speakers will give one-hour presentations on a variety of topics ranging from nutrition to flexibility & strengthening.
Speakers will present each Wednesday at noon until April 9 in Taylor Auditorium in Marsh Hall.
There won't be any 4 a.m. wake-up calls or fiery drill sergeants in this program.
However, the 29 participating staff and faculty members have each been assigned a student personal trainer to help them devise and execute a specific dietary and exercise regiment over the next nine weeks.
Several staff and faculty members applied to partake in the program. However, the number was limited to 29 due to the limited amount of students, who will earn independent study credit for their efforts.
At the beginning of the Boot Camp, participants underwent group measurements of things such as body composition, strngth, endurance and girth dimensions.
Progress will be tracked weekly in a non-competitive manner.
"Group motivation is one of the cornerstones of the program," said Brian Jackson, exercise science professor and head men's tennis coach, who was one of the organizers of the course.
Participants can create their workout schedules with their student personal trainers, which can then be posted on Blackboard to be reviewed by other members.
Partakers can use the system to either find a work out buddy among other staff or faculty, or to schedule one-on-one time in the weight room with their students.
"I think it's really important these programs get tailor made for the individual," said Jackson.
The name Boot Camp refers to how the program is designed to create something that participants will continue after the 9 weeks.
Jackson stresses the importance of a lifestyle change to keep the participants motivated and not regress to old habits.
Jackson hopes to expand the program in the future by attracting more students to become personal trainers, possibly increasing the number of participants to nearly 50, and by maybe offering it as a full course.
In addition, the Pacific University Human Resources and the Wellness Committee is sponsoring the "Health & Wellness Brown Bag Luncheon Series," where guest speakers will give one-hour presentations on a variety of topics ranging from nutrition to flexibility & strengthening.
Speakers will present each Wednesday at noon until April 9 in Taylor Auditorium in Marsh Hall.
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