Photo courtesy of Annette Boose
Students need to learn. Faculty members need to stay in shape. And for almost a decade, Otterbein University has been combining the two to top-notch results.
Nine years ago, the school started up the OtterFit program.
As part of OtterFit, students majoring in health promotion and fitness gain practical experience by working as personal trainers, teaching free group classes or one-on-one sessions to Otterbein faculty and staff. Classes offered include yoga, Pilates, strength training circuits and a ball class. The department recently incorporated a Fitbit incentive program and will add a behavioral component in the spring.
“It’s a great learning tool,” says Erica Van Dop, program coordinator. “Students are observed and instructed and gain professionalism.”
Being an OtterFit instructor helped senior Kasey White complete her personal training certification and decide on her plans post-graduation. More than that, though, she says it helped her build relationships with – and celebrate with – her clients.
“I had a client who had never worked out before, ever, in her entire life,” White says. “She was a band director and an amazing pianist. She wanted to lose two pants sizes because she was struggling to fit into the pants she had been wearing for the past 12 years. Now she looks great, is doing great, and has kept up with all her goals.”
Van Dop has witnessed the program’s positive effects ripple across the entire campus community.
“People are living healthier lives in terms of social well-being,” she says. “They have better cardiovascular health, they’re losing weight and they’re active and engaged in the community.”
White agrees that seeing clients improve is the best part.
“My favorite part is when you see them finally start to get it; they understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it,” she says. “You’ve really impacted a person’s life and I think that’s pretty amazing.”
Jaya Pillai is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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