Delta State University’s Healthy Campus/Community Initiative will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of the DSU Outdoor Fitness Stations at the Delta State University Fitness Trail at 2 p.m., Friday, May 17, following Delta Council events on campus.
Dr. Leslie Griffin, Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences invites community members to the ceremony, which will include a welcome from Delta State University President William N. LaForge and remarks from Shelia Grogan, Director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, as well as other Delta State and Cleveland officials.
Demonstrations on how to use the new ENERGI Prime Total Body Fitness System equipment will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony. Attendees are encouraged to bring athletic shoes for a nice stroll around the walking track and to try some exercises on the fitness equipment.
What started as a half-mile grass track for Coach Doug Pinkerton’s Delta State University women’s cross country team has been transformed into approximately a $300,000 fully equipped paved walking trail which includes strength and conditioning training for members of Delta State University’s campus and the Cleveland community.
A shared vision of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation board and members of the Healthy Campus/Community Initiative team at Delta State University produced the 24-hour outdoor fitness center that is safe and fun, and provides equipment for a total body workout.
The half-mile paved fitness trail includes complete lighting along the trail, benches, and five fitness stations. A water fountain with a water bottle filler station will soon be added.
Campus and community members are enthusiastic about the addition of the outdoor fitness lab; Facebook friends have posted fitness challenges to engage and motivate one another. “I do the DSU Fitness Trail challenge — eight exercises at each station with a full lap in between each station,” said Kevin Tripp, physical education teacher at Bell Academy. “I do a total of 3 miles and 36 exercises. I’ve done this three times and it’s pretty awesome if you push yourself to go fast with little rest.”
The complete fitness system features 120 exercises, with a suggested three-day workout schedule designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercisers:
• Station 1 – static and dynamic stretches.
• Station 2 – pulling, back, angle bar and hurdle exercises.
• Station 3 – squat, dip, push-up and balance exercises.
• Station 4 – power and agility step exercises.
• Station 5 – core, torso, and balance disc exercises.
Users can download a free Mobile Personal Trainer (Microsoft Tag) app at http://gettag.mobi on their mobile phone browser; or search for “Tag app” or “Tag Reader” for the Microsoft Tag app in their mobile app store. Each station is equipped with an easy-to understand sign that instructs users on proper form and includes a 2D code for each exercise. Smartphone users may scan the 2D code and watch an instructional video on each exercise.
Fitness program guides will soon be uploaded to Healthy Campus/Community Initiative’s website for those who would like to print them for personal use. Sample programs include:
• Advanced Boot Camp Programs for fitness instructors and activity directors: http://playworldsystems.com/files/images/product_lines/ENERGI_Advanced%20Boot%20Camp%20Program.pdf.
• Athletic programs for coaches: http://playworldsystems.com/files/images/product_lines/ENERGI_Athletic%20Program.pdf
