Resolving to get physically fit is a common New Year’s tradition, but studies show the commitment to exercising and eating right tends to wane around the middle of January. Throw in concerns about the Omicron variant, and some may be hesitant to go to the gym.

Allison Meguro, director of Fitness & Recreation at Texas Woman’s, said fitness centers are open on all three campuses and, while it’s typically not as busy as before the pandemic hit, they are seeing steady numbers of people exercising.

COVID-19 protocols are in place at all centers.

“Our cleaning policy has remained the same throughout COVID,” Meguro said. “We have staff that clean the fitness equipment throughout the day on the Denton campus, and we offer cleaning towels and spray at all three campuses for individuals to use before and after using the equipment. We also have masks readily available for anyone who walks into the facility.”

Group exercise classes

Fit & Rec also offers group workout sessions both in-person and online for the spring semester. Meguro noted the benefits of a group exercise class, including “all the physical benefits of gaining strength, flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance as well as the social aspect of getting to know other people on campus, building a community, and having an instructor tell you what to do!

“I personally like having a plan when I go to the gym, and classes help with that,” she added.

Social distancing will be observed during the in-person classes, which will be camped at a maximum capacity for the room to ensure a safe environment.

Virtual fitness classes

If in-person classes aren’t an option, there’s a full video library of fitness classes taught by Fit & Rec instructors. Workouts include Pilates, chair yoga, cardio, meditation, and more, giving viewers the opportunity to follow along in their own home or office. Instructors began recording the videos at the beginning of COVID. More virtual fitness content will be added during the spring semester as part of the center’s group exercise offerings.

“There are a lot of options, in-person and virtual, and we hope our students, faculty and staff take advantage of all these fitness options,” Meguro said.

Fitness challenge

Fit & Rec will partner with the Health and Wellbeing Initiative for TWU Moves, a spring fitness challenge beginning Jan. 31. The six-week movement and wellness challenge is designed to keep participants motivated to make healthy choices – including fitness – past January. Participants can earn points for working out or doing certain health and wellbeing options to earn prizes.

Contact Meguro at ameguro@twu.edu for more information.