Wellness Center officials target students mental and physical health from MWSU Campus Watch on Vimeo.

To get students involved and to help them work on their physical and emotional wellness, staff members of the Wellness Center hosted the Fall Fitness Kickoff last Wednesday.

“We care about not just their physical health but their overall wellness here, but also more importantly engaging with other students. As you can tell there are a lot of students in here right now and faculty and staff and it’s a way for people to meet one another here in the wellness center,” Randy Canivel, director of rec sports said.

Students were able to experience all fitness classes’ available. A showcase of abs, spin, cardio fusion, yoga, and step class gave students the chance to try something new. Free t-shirts and food from the Kiowa cooks were available during the social part of the event.

“The best part about this event is that there is food and that always helps for college students you know, definitely struggling sometimes there. But you get to mingle with people, it’s a lot of fun, it keeps my mind off thing,” exercise physiology, Colton Spikes said.

According to a study in the American Journal of Health Promotion, college students who exercise are less likely to report to poor mental health or undergo stress. Canivel says that he encourages students to work out to reduce stress levels.

“At least three to five times a week, moderate exercise but more is actually better,” Canivel said.

Since the wellness center’s opening in 2009, staff members have continued to the host the event aimed at increasing student’s involvement in exercise, engagement and overall wellness.