Find Your Movement

Students

WKU Campus Recreation and Wellness provides a diverse array of programs and events that allow all students to find their movement. No two programs are alike, which is why it is important to find which one works best for every student to stay active and healthy on the Hill.

The programs offered by Campus Recreation and Wellness extend far beyond the fitness center and are all unique and beneficial in their own ways.

For students who like to be held accountable and work well with others, intramural sports will be a great fit. Intramural sports provide an opportunity to engage in physical activities within a controlled, fun and moderately competitive environment, while also providing social engagement with fellow peers, said Danville sophomore Coleman Clark.

Clark loves the intramural sports offered, with his personal favorite being pickleball, which he participates in every Tuesday.

“There is no better time to be a student who enjoys intramurals than this spring. There is a plethora of new sports to participate in which allows students to either try something new or compete in their passion,” Clark said.

The aquatics program is a perfect match for those who like a full-body workout but may not enjoy going to the gym. Swimming builds muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance in a non-traditional workout setting. In addition to all of these benefits, aquatics also aids in maintaining a healthy heart, weight and lungs, said Aquatics Coordinator Kate Comley.

The aquatics department has several events coming up. Registration is open for a lifeguard certification course being held April 14-16. Private and group swim lessons are held throughout the spring semesters. Registration for April’s group swim lessons opens on March 20.

For lovers of the great outdoors, the Outdoor Recreation Adventure Center, also known as ORAC, is the perfect program to suit those needs. ORAC provides numerous opportunities to experience the beautiful forests, wildlife, trails and waterways of Kentucky, Tennessee and beyond.

Louisville sophomore Ashton Hoelscher is the student program assistant of ORAC. Hoelscher knows all about the many benefits students gain from ORAC, such as skill development, as well as strengthening participants’ mental, social and physical health.

“Being outside can boost your mental health, and making new friends while on trips can strengthen your bond with your peers,” Hoelscher said.

ORAC offers many events throughout the semester that students can register for on the WKU Campus Recreation and Wellness app or in person at the Preston Center.

Some of the upcoming events include a Full Moon Float at Shanty Hollow, which takes place on April 8, as well as rock climbing at King’s Bluff on April 15.

For students who like to work out but don’t know where to begin, GroupX classes will be an ideal match. GroupX offers many classes to choose from so that everyone can find a class that best suits their taste. Zumba, indoor cycling, pilates and yoga are just some of the classes offered through GroupX.

Classes are held daily; registration can be found on WKU’s website, under Campus Recreation and Wellness, then GroupX.

For those experiencing tension and stress from a tough semester, check out the massage therapy program at the Preston Center and look into all the services they offer, such as Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone massages. Appointments can be made by calling 270-745-6531.

Massage therapy has many mental and physical health benefits, such as decreasing anxiety and muscle stiffness, as well as improving restorative sleep and flexibility, said Sabrina Pate, the massage program coordinator.

GroupX allows students to experience a variety of workouts, under proper guidance from certified instructors, with many benefits, from physical, to social, intellectual and more, that can help them achieve a more balanced lifestyle, said Alissa Arnold, the assistant director of health and fitness. Joining a GroupX class is fun and can help participants discover new abilities, while also finding a community of people on a similar journey, Arnold said.

“Often we think of massage only in a ‘spalike’ sense, picturing a serene and romantic vibe,” Pate said. “While it certainly can be that, massage is a great resource to aid our bodies in reaching their full range of motion potential.”

Health Education and Promotion hosts numerous events for students to attend throughout the semester.

Free HIV testing will be held on March 28 from 1-4 p.m. and April 28 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Grocery Bingo will be held on March 22 and April 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Veronica Portillo, a graduate student from English, Indiana, regularly attends grocery bingo.

“My favorite thing about grocery bingo is being able to meet new people and win some free groceries at the same time,” Portillo said. The options are almost endless when it comes to programs offered by WKU Campus Recreation and Wellness. Try something new this semester and find your movement!