Allison Kerr, far right, leads an aerobics class, one of many group fitness classes offered by the Macon State Wellness Program. (Photo: Bruce Radcliffe)

Fit for College

Macon State's Wellness Program Promotes Good Health for the College Community

By Allison Kerr

Going to class, studying for tests, writing papers, holding a job, eating, sleeping and getting regular exercise?

There are so many things to do and so little time for today's college students. Is it really possible to fit in exercise, recreation and health into such busy schedules? Thanks to the Macon State College Wellness Program, the answer is yes.

The MSC Wellness Program, which began in 1998 with the support of then newly arrived President David A. Bell, includes a fitness center, health clinic, swimming pool, outdoor excursions, intramural sports, health promotion, group fitness classes, incentive programs and much more. These programs are based at the Wellness Center on the Macon campus and are among the student perks supported through their activities fees. The College hopes to expand Wellness Program facilities to the Warner Robins Campus when space is available.

“We had a couple of goals in mind for the health and wellness program,” said Lynn McCraney, Macon State's dean of students. “Healthy students are more likely to be successful students, so we wanted to give them a convenient opportunity for regular exercise and other wellness activities while they are enrolled at Macon State. A wellness program also gives students more chances for positive interaction with faculty and staff outside the classroom, which is a proven way of increasing their chances for academic success.”

MSC student Reanna Fogal gets a workout in the College swimming pool, part of the Wellness Program. (Photo: Bruce Radcliffe)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff take advantage of the various Wellness Center opportunities, with some participating on a daily basis. This semester, more than 100 students are taking part in "Burn & Earn," an incentive program that awards prizes such as water bottles, T-shirts and ball caps for points accumulated by taking part in different Wellness Center programs.

Senior information technology major Dana Danson takes nearly all the group fitness classes available, including kickboxing, Pilates, total body and tone and ab workouts. “It's convenient to have access to all these classes while here on campus because I can fit them into my class schedule,” she said.

The link between wellness and a more satisfying college experience was documented in a study conducted by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. The study found that students who participated in recreational sports, outdoor recreation, intramurals or worked out at a college-based fitness center had less stress, felt more a part of the campus community and felt better emotionally and physically.

Edward Assad, a public service major, can attest to these findings. He trains at the Macon State fitness center four or five days per week. Assad is a cyclist who recently joined the United States Cycling Federation and may begin competing this spring.

“Exercise clears my mind and decreases stress,” he said. “Maintaining my fitness level gives me focus and discipline in all other areas of life.”

By making a comprehensive wellness program available to students, Macon State provides yet another drawing card for recent high school graduates and mature adults who are getting ready to go to college.

When searching for a college, potential students not only look at academic offerings, but also at recreational/wellness programs. A telephone survey of college students, published in the research publication Student Poll, found that recreational sports (including a fitness center, outdoor recreation and intramural sports) have a much greater influence on college choice than intercollegiate athletics.

“We're proud of how much the Wellness Program has helped make health, fitness and recreation more convenient and more fun for our students,” McCraney said. “We want students to be successful inside and outside the classroom, and the Wellness Program is an important part of making sure that happens.”

The Macon State Wellness Program's fitness center, located between the gym and the Student Life Center, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the regular semester. Hours and days of operation for the health clinic, adjacent to the fitness center, are posted at the beginning of each semester. Organized fitness classes and outdoor recreation activities are available each semester. For complete details of Macon State College Wellness Program activities, visit maconstate.edu/studentlife/wellness.

Allison Kerr is Wellness Program coordinator at Macon State College.