The Bellevue College Wellness Center offers activities, classes and events for not just students, but faculty as well. This quarter, the center has a myriad of things for students and faculty to choose from. With lots of different times and programs, the center is guaranteed to have something for anybody interested in getting involved with fitness.
As far as the rest of this quarter goes, there are quite a few events hosted by the Wellness Center for BC students and faculty to sign up for. On Feb. 13 and March 13, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. there will be a snowshoeing trip up in Snoqualmie Pass. Participants will meet at various trailheads along I-90 and will be provided with “basic snowshoeing information, snowshoes, route selection and views” according to the Wellness Center Web page. This, as well as other Wellness Center events, will cost only five dollars.
On Feb. 25, there will be an introduction to rock climbing course at Redmond Vertical World from 3:00-5:00 p.m. On March 6-7, there will be an overnight snowshoeing and camping event. Those planning to attend will have to go to a meeting on March 5 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in order to plan and go over what needs to be packed for the trip. The camping trip will take place at Source Lake Basin. The last event for this quarter will be a guided hike at Poo Poo Point in Issaquah, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Participants are required to bring a head lamp for this hike. Similar to the snowshoeing trips in February, these events will cost five dollars as well.
For Wellness Center program coordinator Peter Prescott, the overnight camping trips are amongst his favorite events:
“Our overnight camping trips are always a blast and fill fast. We provide an education session in the classroom and gear rentals to be sure that students have a great experience. Participants range from first time backpackers to others just looking to meet new people and share a great experience.”
For those who are just getting involved with outdoor activities and are not sure what activity to choose, Prescott advises beginners to participate in a Friday hike or snowshoe outing as they are “easy and low commitment.”
The Wellness Center offers daily free fitness classes for staff and faculty on Mondays. In G164 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Xpress Fitness is offered. This class is a “lunchtime exercise routine designed to increase strength, endurance and reduce body fat,” according to the Wellness Center web page. Pilates is offered Tuesdays in R014 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. This class will only be offered until Feb. 17.
Another class for staff and faculty to participate in is Zumba. The Zumba classes are held in G164 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. The class is led by a licensed Zumba instructor with aerobic dance routines set to salsa, merengue, Bollywood and hip hop music. On Thursdays in G164, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Body Art is offered. Body Art is a class that focuses on endurance, strength training, and flexibility.
Lastly, yoga classes are offered in R014 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. This class will only be offered up until Feb. 20.
Besides the open gym activities, the Wellness Center does not extend these free fitness courses to students. Also, Prescott said on occasion open gym is the only traditional offering and is open to all students. “On occasion we do offer tournaments, I think the next one we will be hosting is a table tennis tournament with ISP in the spring,” said Prescott.
In order to participate in any of the Wellness Center events or find out more information, visit the BC Wellness Center website, or inquire at the gym.