By, Kathy Williams, Staff Writer
Most people fail to follow their New Year’s resolutions. St. Bonaventure’s Spring 2020 Cardio Fitness Challenge helps students achieve wellness goals they may have set for the new semester.
The Spring 2020 Cardio Fitness Challenge is a health event on campus to inspire students to get active and healthy.
Mary Frac, assistant director for the center for activities, recreation and leadership, said, “The Spring 2020 Cardio Fitness Challenge is completing the hours it would take to drive to the A10 schools in cardio. We have two levels, so if someone is just starting a wellness journey, they can participate as well through a beginner level.”
The spring fitness challenge is an annual event open to all students, faculty and staff. The number of people that sign up each year varies, but this year there are already over 55 people signed up. It serves as motivation to get students out of their rooms.
“Typically, with the weather being nicer in the fall semester, we find campus is more active in the fall. This is an activity to keep campus motivated, even when we can’t exercise outside,” said Frac.
There are two levels to the challenge. If a person would consider themselves in physically good condition, then there is an advanced level. However, there is also a beginner level for people just beginning a fitness journey or people who are looking to being casually challenged. Each level has different criteria to be met.
Frac said, “The advanced challenge is 50 hours of cardio, with specific machines you must do two hours on. The remaining hours, individuals can choose any machine they would like. And for the beginner challenge, it would be 25 hours of any cardio they choose.” In the Richter, there is a cardio option for every liking. Cardio machine options in the Richer include treadmills, ellipticals, stairmasters, rowing machines and various biking machines.
The challenge not only promotes better health, it also rewards various items for the success. If a person signs up for one of the challenges and completes it within ten weeks, that someone has the opportunity to win prizes.
“For those who complete the challenge, we will have a raffle! For the advanced level, the prizes include an Apple Watch, sneakers of your choice up to $150 value and Bona’s gear. And for the beginner challenge, sneakers of your choice up to a $150 value and Bona’s gear,” said Frac.
Student life thrives the most when students are staying active. Annual spring fitness challenges have been occurring for years at St. Bonaventure University.
Frac said, “The Fitness Challenges were established years ago, just as a fun way to challenge our campus to stay healthy!”
williakp18@bonaventure.edu
