The holidays are upon us and 2016 is just around the corner. If you haven’t done so already, now is a good time to get a jump start on the new year by setting some health, wellness, and fitness goals. Why wait until the first of the new year to get started? Exercise has been shown to relieve stress. We can all use that with upcoming exams and holiday hustle and bustle.​ You don’t have to commit hours and hours of time to make improvements in the way you look and feel. Every time you get moving, you are doing incredible things to help improve your health and fitness. Consider taking a group fitness class. Our instructors are ready to welcome new comers into classes. For those of you who already take classes, stay focused and keep up the good work. Faculty and staff: Take note of the information below regarding CSI’s Shape Up program, which is sponsored by the School of Health Sciences. For a limited time, you can take group fitness classes for free.

A copy of the group fitness schedule for December 2015 is online for your reference. For those of you who have never taken any of our classes, if you are interested in getting in shape and improving your health but don’t know where to start, we can help.

The Sports and Recreation Group Fitness Program offers opportunities to exercise and have fun at the same time. Classes include aqua aerobics, step aerobics, body sculpt, yoga, resist-a-ball training, tone and stretch, Pilates-style mat workouts, and ZUMBA! Individuals of all fitness levels are welcome in classes. Instructors will provide special assistance for those who may be new to exercise.

CSI students: Why not start the holiday season off right by being active and taking a group fitness class? They are free for students. You do not need to sign up ahead of time. You can go to any and all classes that interest you. Just be sure to bring your student ID card.  Remember, beginners are welcome in all classes.

Take note:  Starting in December, free Personal/Weight Training classes are being offered for CSI students. These classes, which are funded by the intramural/recreation program with Student Activity Fees, are aimed at helping students to learn about weight training and how to use the weight room. Give yourself a treat. Broaden your workout repertoire by adding weight training exercises. If you’ve never used the weight room before, this is the place to start. Bring along another student to join in the fun. Classes will take place in the weight room. Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. Be sure to bring your student ID.

CSI staff, CSI faculty, and members of the community can take advantage of the program by purchasing a Sports and Recreation membership, which includes access to all the Sports and Recreation Center has to offer (e.g., group fitness classes, cardio room, weight room, racquetball courts, pool.)

Those who want to participate in group fitness classes only can purchase tickets for group fitness classes. Group fitness tickets are sold in books of five for $40. More information about membership fees and the purchase of group fitness ticket booklets is available at the membership desk in the Sports and Recreation Center (Building 1R), Room 204 or by calling 718.982.3327. Membership desk hours are:

  • Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00am to 8:00pm
  • Fridays from 9:00am to 5:00pm
  • Saturdays from 8:00am to 3:00pm
  • Sundays from 9:00am to 3:00pm

 

CSI Faculty and Staff – TAKE NOTE:

As a special initiative to encourage faculty and staff to be proactive about their health and wellness, for the second year in a row, the College’s School of Health Sciences will be offering its eight-week SHAPE UP CSI program, which will run through Friday, Dec. 11. During that time, faculty and staff will be able to take group fitness classes for free.  Now is a perfect time to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and to consider trying out group fitness classes. No sign up is necessary–just bring your CSI ID card and sign in as a Shape Up participant for any and all classes that interest you.

If you are still a little hesitant about getting started, give me a call at 718.982.3084 and we can talk about your goals and what might be an appropriate place for you to start. If you have ideas about fitness classes or services that you would like to see offered, feel free to send suggestions or questions about the program to marianne.mclaughlin@csi.cuny.edu.

Note:  The schedule for January will be posted on the College’s Website at the end of December.