Specialty Programs

Looking for other ways to stay in shape? Fitness Programs continually offers a wide variety of free and for fee programs outside of Group Fitness Classes to keep your workouts exciting and to help you improve your knowledge of fitness. The classes on this page require pre-registration, and are open and appeal to a wide array of audiences.

Fall 2009

• Fitness Boot Camp
• Boot Camp: Student Special Ops
• Tai Chi
• Triathlon Training Series
• Functional Fitness for Older Adults
• Free Programs
• Special New Equipment Orientations - Nov 11 and 12
• Holiday and Travel Fitness - Nov 18 and 19

Fall 2009 Program Details

Made all the right choices and ready to check out?

Fitness Boot Camp - Fall Morning and Evening Sessions

Boot Camp is a results-driven conditioning program. It is conducted in an indoor/outdoor environment, utilizing a military-style format, coupled with the most progressive, innovative, and creative exercises in fitness.

This class will push you to your limits-and force your body to change. These fast and furious workouts are all you need to get into the best shape of your life. Dynamic and different every day, this program will keep you guessing but always give you a great workout.

Boot Camp workouts include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular, speed and endurance training, strength training, partner resistance exercises, agility work, and the old stand by: s tairs. We expand your fitness horizons with fitness games, group challenges, wheelbarrow races, medicine ball drills, plyometrics, box drills, fartleks, obstacle courses, guerilla drills, and multiple versions of the military standard - push-ups and sit ups!

All participants must be registered before the first class meeting.

There are several options to register. If you know you are ready to step up to the challenge of 12 full weeks of boot camp, register for the FULL option. If you are uncertain or know you can't commit for the long session, register for one of the two 6-week sessions.

Please be sure to register for the morning or evening session for the desired duration.

Morning sessions meet at 6:15 a.m. for 1 hour.
Evening sessions meet at 5:30 p.m. for 1 hour.
First meeting for each session will be at Field 7 (see map)

AM Session Dates and Times:

• Sub-session B: Oct. 26 - Dec. 4, 2009 (6 weeks)
• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:15 - 7:15 a.m.
• Cost:
  $50 - Students
  $100 - Faculty/Staff Members

PM Session Dates and Times:

• Sub-session: Oct. 26- Dec. 4, 2009 (6 weeks)
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Cost:
  $30 - Students
  $60 - Faculty/Staff Members
• Register by selecting an option below or in person.

Select Registration Type

Student - AM Subsession II $50.00 Faculty/Staff - AM Subsession II $100.00 Student - PM Subsession II $30.00 Faculty/Staff - PM Subsession II $60.00

Instructors

AM Session: AJ Beard

PM Session: Janel Edson

Fitness Boot Camp - Special Ops

Geared toward the night owl, this boot camp class will have you ready for to tackle the world when it's done. Students can band together in order to survive the tactics your platoon leader will provide to keep your mind sharp and your body ripped. Boot Camp workouts include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular, speed and endurance training, strength training, partner resistance exercises, agility work, and the old stand by: stairs. We expand your fitness horizons with fitness games, group challenges, wheelbarrow races, medicine ball drills, plyometrics, box drills, fartleks, obstacle courses, guerilla drills, and multiple versions of the military standard - push-ups and sit ups! Knowledgable instructors will help you to set goals, track your progress and provide encouragement to keep you at it.

Dates and Times:

• Oct. 5 - Nov. 13, 2009 (6 weeks)
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• All meet at the corner of Field 7 (see map) unless otherwise noted.
  • Cost:
    $20 - Student
• Register by selecting clicking the button below or in person.

Instructor: Pete Navarra

Secret Yang Style Tai Chi

What is Taiji?

Taiji (Tai Chi) is an ancient form of Chinese exercise based on gentle self-defense movements emphasizing relaxation and better health through both mental and physical harmony.

There is emphasis on improving flexibility, balance and coordination. You can re-learn how to walk, sit and stand the Taiji way to reduce wear and tear on the body.

• Guided practice in relaxation through the gentle movements.
• Strength building basic exercises through postures and slow movements.
• Improve mental focus.
• Improved balance and coordination will reduce the chance of injury causing falls.
• Increased flexibility helps combat joint stiffness and pain.
• Gentle strengthening exercises keep the muscles healthy and support the joints, especially the knees.

About the instructor: Greg Illich has more than 22 years experience in various Tai Chi forms with a focus on improving health. He currently teaches the Secret Yang Style which he learned under Master George Hu. Greg also has experience in other various forms including Chi-Kung, Tai Chi Long Sword, Hsing-I, Bagua, Baji, Chinese Wrestling, Northern Shaolin, Chinese Saber, and Western style epee fencing.

• Oct. 12 - Nov. 12, 2009 (6 weeks)
• Session 1: Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m.
• Session 2: Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Multi Purpose Room 3 - Recreation Center
  • Cost:
    $25 - Student
    $45 - Faculty/Staff
    Note: Minimum class registrations in both is 15 people... tell your friends!
• Register by selecting an option below or in person.

Select Registration Type

Student - Session 1 $25.00 Student - Session 2 $25.00 Faculty/Staff - Session 1 $45.00 Faculty/Staff - Session 1 $45.00

Instructor: Greg Illich

Triathlon Training Series - Wake Up and Tri - Cancelled

Never done a triathlon, but always wanted to? Come join us! We will start from the beginning and discuss and demonstrate exactly what is entailed in a triathlon. Some of the topics covered will include: swimming/biking/running mechanics, race nutrition, transitions between events, proper weight training, and most importantly how to have fun out there!

This class will consist of one lecture per week (Mondays) followed by 2 days of activity and drills (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Each week we will discuss the basics behind swimming, biking, and running. Each participant will be given a beginner workout plan to follow throughout the duration of the program.

• Oct. 5 - Nov. 14, 2009 (6 weeks)
• Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
• First class meeting will be in Classroom 101 of the Recreation Center.
  • Cost:
    $55 - Student
    $75 - Faculty/Staff
• Register by selecting an option below or in person.

Select Registration Type

Student $55.00 Faculty/Staff $75.00

Instructor: D'Ondra McGee

Functional Fitness for Older Adults

Targeted toward a previously active or older population looking for a safe, but effective return to activity. Research shows that regular resistance, cardiovascular, and flexibility training can improve the health and quality of life for everyone. However, more and more information is available that says increasing activity after age 40 can reduce the natural decline in physical fitness due to aging. This program will provide an overview of cardiovascular, resistance, and flexibility training and information to ensure each participant will be more capable of taking charge of their own fitness.

• Nov. 2 - Nov. 11, 2009 (2 weeks - 4 classes)
• Monday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• First class meeting will be in Multipurpose Room 3 of the Recreation Center.
  • Cost:
    $20 - Faculty/Staff
• Register by online below or in person.

 

Free Programs for Fall 2009

Each semester, we offer several programs, classes, and information sessions to improve the general level of fitness knowledge in the Rice Community. These programs are only available to Rice- affiliated participants but are free of charge. Note: Some events require membership to the Rice Recreation Center, so please review the information for each program before registering.

Holiday Fitness Seminar Series

The holiday season is often filled with to do lists and too little time. These sessions will help you fight the weight gain often associated with this time of the year. Our guest speakers will teach strategies to avoid the pressure to eat at holiday meals, fill your plate with more healthy foods with less effort, and you how to get in exercise on a busy schedule and when travelling.

The seminars are free to any in the Rice Community.

Fall 2009 Seminar dates:

• Wed, Nov 18 at 12:00 p.m. (1 hour)
• Thu, Nov 19 at 8:00 p.m. (1 hour)
• FREE!
• Location: East Gym of Old Recreation Center

Weight and Cardio Room Orientations

Learn the ins and outs of our new weight and cardio equipment. Knowledgable Fitness Attendants will guide you through the weight equipment available for use for all members.

The seminars are free to any in the Rice Community.

Fall 2009 Dates:

• Wed, Nov 11 at 12:30 p.m. (1 hour)
• Thu, Nov 12 at 6:30 p.m. (1 hour)
• FREE!

How to Register for Specialty Programs

To register for any of the these programs, there are several options:
Follow the link to the Online Registration Page for the program, or visit the Recreation Center Administration offices, located on the second floor of the Gymnasium Building, any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For free programs visit our free program registration website.

If you can't make it in person, you're more than welcome to send a check, along with your name, contact information (including e-mail), and which program you're signing up for, to:

Assistant Director for Fitness Programs
Recreation Center - MS-523
6100 Main St.
Houston, TX 77005