by NIKKI ROBERTI
Lifestyles Reporter

The beginning of January marks the time of year where fad diets appear more on television commercials and people begin buying new gadgets in order to try to achieve the new them.

And yet, a couple months from now, many students will find themselves given up on their efforts.

However, there is now an affordable way for students and staff to work on their health, fitness and weight management during the semester.

Senior exercise science major and personal trainer Jared W. Skinner assists junior finance and banking major Chelsea R. Walsh with physical exercises in the Student Recreation Center Sep. 29. Photo by The Appalachian.

Michele D. Rippey, assistant director for fitness, said Appalachian State University began offering an affordable personal training program to the Appalachian family a year ago.

The personal training program offers affordable workout sessions with a student personal trainer in either a one-on-one setting or a partner or group setting.

“We give it to the students for $15 a session and $18 for staff. Specials make it cheaper than that with a $10 to $8 dollar difference per session, which could add up to be a lot of money over time,” Rippey said. “Much cheaper than the community, so you save a few dollars.”

The cost in the service is cheaper than if one were to go out into the community for a similar service, Rippey said.

“You go to another gym, expect to pay $40 to $50 a workout to some trainer,” senior exercise science major and Personal Training Programmer, Jared W. Skinner said.

Training sessions consist of an hour workout tailored to the individual based on their personal goals.

Some packages available for purchase include a body assessment, which includes measurements of weight, height, body composition, blood pressure, flexibility, endurance and muscular strength.

The assessment can be helpful in the formulation of the client’s goals as well as showing improvement by the end of the training sessions, Rippey said.

“Goals are going to change throughout the semester. Most of the clients are pretty happy if they lose weight [or] get stronger faster,” Skinner said. “We like to make realistic goals. It’s safe to lose five pounds every two weeks. They see improvement and that’s the big thing.”

There are currently seven trainers on staff, all who are well-rounded, but also specialize in some areas like power lifting.

All trainers are certified or are currently getting certified this semester.

Skinner said there are benefits for each of the different kinds of packages for training.

“One-on-one [sessions will provide] that person to push you. Exercising is [also] probably one of the best places to vent. That one-on-one kind of atmosphere makes you feel special,” he said.

For group or partner sessions, having a friend exercise with you will help provide an inner push as well as a fun, competitive edge, he said.

The program not only helps faculty and students with their health, but is also an important educational tool for the student trainers.

“For the trainers it’s really important because they get hands-on experience exercise science and health majors [may not get] in the classroom,” Rippey said.

Students can sign up for personal training packages at the Student Recreation Center.

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