By Brett Blum
For The Diamondback
Eppley Recreation Center has implemented a variety of new programs to accommodate the influx of freshmen and transfer students on the University of Maryland campus.
University Recreation and Wellness expanded the number of group fitness classes and programs and established two new intramural sports: sand volleyball and a sports medley club.
“There are now over 100 group fitness classes,” said Kate Maloney, RecWell’s assistant director of communications and marketing. “We had to even move some of the classes into the Multi-Purpose Room to make up for the increase in students.”
In fall 2015, the first-year student population at this university was 3,939. This year, nearly 4,500 new students enrolled — about 10 percent more than the university’s goal.
There are no additional fees for the expanded class offerings, Maloney said. But next year, full-time undergraduate and graduates could pay an additional $2 in student fees to RecWell.
Other new programs include a six-week runners program called “Run and Roll.”
“Personal Trainers take students to run around campus, which is followed by a foam rolling stretch session,” Maloney said.
RecWell has also joined forces with other campus programs to put on events. They teamed up with Terps After Dark to start a three-on-three basketball tournament, Maloney said, and with the University Health Center to do a Personal Training Plus program.
“The program utilizes dietetics to have 12 personal training sessions as well as six dietetics training sessions,” said senior Spencer Wyatt, a kinesiology and psychology major who works at RecWell.
By adding this PT Plus program, Wyatt said RecWell staff members can transform “traditional exercise programs into exercise and wellness programs, which will often benefit the students.”
“We are always looking for new ways to expand our portfolio and shift away from the traditional exercise classes,” said Brianne Rowh, RecWell’s assistant director of fitness. “We feel this will add a social component to working out and make these programs feel like more than just exercise.”
Senior Julz Harvey, a club sport supervisor, said RecWell prides itself on having a fitness program for all students, no matter their interest.
“Our motto is inclusion, meaning that every change is made to get students to stay active,” the journalism major said.
Freshman Abdul Malik Syed said he is excited to learn more about the new programming RecWell is offering.
“I know there are new programs at RecWell,” the chemical engineering major said, “but I am not sure exactly what they are.”
