Just in time to meet the demand of students seeking to fulfill
their New Year’s resolution to become more physically fit, a
section of the Wooden West addition has opened.
On Jan. 6, the Strength and Conditioning Zone opened with over
250 pieces of new equipment.
According to the UCLA Recreation Web site, Wooden West features
strength and conditioning zones with new state-of-the-art equipment
and video entertainment, an Outdoor Adventure Center and an Energy
Zone convenience store.
With Wooden West opened in time to accommodate larger crowds,
the popular New Year’s resolution to improve one’s
physical fitness is bringing more people to the Wooden Center to
work out.
Physiological Sciences Professor James Barnard said that
exercise is important because it prevents all types of health
problems.
“People should do exercise on a regular basis ““
aerobic exercise five times a week and resistance and strengthening
exercise two times a week,” Barnard said.
Some students have taken advantage of the new equipment to get
started on their resolutions.
“I just started going to the Wooden Center this quarter,
about two to three times a week, because I have more spare time.
… And it’s my New Year’s resolution,” said
Vivien Yu, a first-year Japanese Studies student.
In addition to the New Year’s resolutions crowd, the new
equipment has enticed all students and recreation members to
workout at the Wooden Center.
Julie Gough, a second-year microbiology, immunology, and
molecular genetics student, says that she went to the Wooden Center
about five times all of last quarter and has already gone twice
this quarter.
“I hope to utilize the new equipment. I really like the
new televisions on the stationary bikes,” Gough said, adding
that “the equipment is way more challenging and more useful
because they have more features.”
Despite the addition made to the Wooden Center, many students
still find themselves waiting to use the different exercise
machines.
Yu said nearly everytime she goes to Wooden, most machines are
occupied, and the big exercise rooms are usually filled.
“It seems like more people are going because all the
equipment is being used even after the addition,” Gough
said.
Perhaps in anticipation of many other students, like Yu, seeking
to fulfill their New Year’s resolution to be more physically
fit, the UCLA Recreation Web site has posted advice for physical
fitness success.
The site suggests finding a balance between work and play by
setting attainable fitness goals, scheduling workouts to fit you,
working out with friends and making other health improvements, such
as a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep.
“With the opening of the west addition of the Wooden
Center … take advantage of our new equipment and renovated
facilities with friends, co-workers and teammates,” the UCLA
Recreation site says.