CAMPUS FITNESS GURU PUTS STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR AEROBIC PACES

by John Jones

Pull on your sweats and strap on the spandex because you are about to break a sweat: that is, if fitness coordinator Diane Blanchard has anything to do with it.

Walking into one of her classes, a student is met by a booming beat and an even louder voice pushing students to new heights of cardiovascular bliss.

You can almost smell the fat burning.

Blanchard has been coordinating several classes in aerobics. The formats are different for each of them.

The one described above was called "Aerobic Jam" because the exercises were set to the beat of dance/techno music.

Walking in on the class, you notice immediately that the exercises involved aren't very difficult -- almost anyone can do them.

On this particular day, Blanchard was leading a diverse but largely female group.

The 17 people ranged in age from approximately 18 to 50.

"Aerobic Jam" was the first fitness class for freshman Angela Gohl.

"I really liked it a lot. It's a great workout, and you don't even have to be good; it's not hard," Gohl said.

The students paused to take their pulses while Blanchard advised them that if they didn't have the breath to talk then they were not getting the proper workout.

It didn't appear that the students and faculty in the class were overexerting, but there was a fine sheen of sweat on each body.

"These classes should really be the kind of thing that people feel like they can come to," Blanchard explained. "They don't really need any special skill, talent or ability. What they need is to have the desire to move, get healthier and just enjoy themselves."

The instructor said that, for many college students, it is the first time away from home and that many of their routines from home are upset. It is Blanchard's aim to help students establish a new rhythm and keep healthy.

"Self esteem is improved as well as a general sense of well being," she said.

Blanchard explained about keeping a healthful diet and establishing a routine involving exercise.

She and her associates charge a fee for the classes. However, she describes herself and the other instructors as professionals, explaining that to take these classes elsewhere would cost more.

"We're not here to skin the cat; we're really just here to cover the cost of the program, so we offer really, really reasonably priced classes," Blanchard said.

The program will run all semester.

Classes range from those that anyone can comfortably attend, such as "Aerobic Jam" and "boot camp," to more advanced sessions that will require more complex footwork in the exercises. There is also an aquatic-based aerobics class called W.E.T. geared toward more physically challenged people.

The cost for students is $35 and $50 for staff and alumni. It is a one-time fee that allows participants to attend any class for the entire fall.

"Anybody should be able to come and get a good sweat, have some fun and try to maintain a balance in life," Blanchard said.