UGA Logo UGA Office of Public Affairs top bar image UGA Home
Columns faculty staff newspaper News Service
Contact Us
Text-Only
top bar image
SEARCH
  Columns   UGA    
 
  september 18, 2006
  In this issue
  News
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Around Academe
  News to Use
  Go Figure
  Digest
  UGA Guide
  Newsmakers
  Campus Closeup
  Retirees
  Weekly Reader
  Cybersights
  Bulletin Board
 
  Back Issues
  Publication Dates
  Contact Us

campus newS

On your mark, get fit, go!
By Matt Weeks
mweeks@uga.edu
Celebrity treatment: $90 a week.

Personal trainer Jason Ballenger helps Elizabeth Huddleston, a senior majoring in music education, work with free weights at the Ramsey Center. (Photo by Paul Efland)
That’s the price of three one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer at the Ramsey Student Center. For the fare, a trainer will create a workout system based around your goals and help you achieve them.

“It helps a lot of people who are new to working out, so they get a chance to learn how to use the machines safely and effectively,” said trainer Jason Ballenger, a senior in exercise science. “Some of my clients just want to enhance their regular workout routine or get back into a schedule.”

After an interview session to assess basic fitness goals, each client gets a checklist of various exercises with guidelines for the number of repetitions and when to boost intensity.

“Different people struggle with different obstacles. Some have difficulty maintaining a routine and making the time commitment to get or stay in shape. Others may feel embarrassed or out-of-place at first,” trainer Sarah Reagin said. “This is one area where personal training really helps. You won’t find yourself questioning whether other people are noticing you trying to figure out weights when you have a trainer showing you the ropes.”

Having a knowledgeable workout partner increases your chances of hitting goals and keeps exercise myths at bay, Ballenger said.

“We recently went through a fad here: the Atkins Diet or the no carb diet. And these diets, all diets, are designed to fail without exercise. You do lose calories, but people don’t see the results they want, so they turn to training,” he said.

The trainers are certified by national boards and have to re-take tests every two years to maintain their licenses. They also hold CPR and first aid certifications, but are not qualified to give dieting advice.

“A big component of fitness is lifestyle,” Reagin said. “I’ll refer my clients to a nutritionist if they’re interested.”

Two clients who work for the university can “share” a trainer for $140 per three sessions, and newcomers can book a one-time introduction session for $35. Alumni and students get slightly different rates. Clients choose their own trainers from a book that includes the availability, interests and biography of each trainer. The book is available at the Ramsey Center’s cashier window.

Through Oct. 1, the center is offering free fitness consultations with trainers to new members. Interested persons can sign up at the cashier’s window during business hours.
 


Columns is produced by the UGA News Service, a unit of UGA Public Affairs.
286 Oconee St., Ste. 200N, Athens, GA 30602-1999
Juliett Dinkins (jdinkins@uga.edu): editor (706) 542-8017,
Janet Beckley (jbeckley@uga.edu): art director (706) 542-8170, Peter Frey (pfrey@uga.edu): photo editor (706) 542-8086,
Matthew Weeks (mweeks@uga.edu): senior reporter (706) 542-8024, Sara Freeland (freeland@uga.edu): reporter (706) 542-8077
Questions or comments should be directed to columns@uga.edu

Back Issues | Publication Dates | Subscribe to Columns | Contact Us | Text-only Version

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2008-2009 University of Georgia. All rights reserved
The University of Georgia • Athens, GA 30602 | UGA Directory Assistance 706/542-3000
UGA Home | UGA Today | Public Affairs Directory