Are you a busy professional who has been putting off your fitness goals? Do you struggle to find time to exercise? Good news! The answers to these questions could be right in front of you. While it is clear that UCSD is a very busy and demanding place for students and staff alike, the ability to take a short fitness break in your day can improve your work and personal life in ways you may have never thought of…and it is all available right here on campus!   In a recent interview with Rubi Trevino, the Assistant Director for the Student Foundation in the Alumni Community Engagement department, she discussed the challenge of making wellness a priority and the ways she fits it into her hectic schedule. Rubi has been a Rec Card member at UC San Diego Recreation for the last year and a half and has taken a variety of classes in everything from ballet tostrength training for women. What steps has Rubi taken to be able to take these classes and make fitness a priority? She makes sure she takes classes scheduled either around noon or after 5pm. By doing this she can use her lunch break to take the class or go after work and still finish in time to catch the 6:45pm bus home! Rubi agrees there are difficult parts, like having to work through other lunch breaks, but she believes it is more than worth the effort. Rubi noted two major work benefits to making fitness a priority– greater work satisfaction and focus. When she has a scheduled reason to get out of the office, even just twice a week, she finds it helps her focus, stay more attentive and be more productive at work. Rubi has noticed a difference in her working abilities during quarters that she is taking classes and working out compared to others where she is entirely work focused. Physical activity has been shown to sharpen focus, possibly because it can help trigger the release of chemicals in the brain that are thought to affect learning and memory. One report from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign suggests that aerobic exercise in particular may improve immediate and long-term functioning in regions of the brain relating to attention. Classes are offered at different locations across campus including RIMAC at the north of campus and Main Gym in Muir. Other Recreation facilities on campus that can help staff increase their fitness and well-being include the pool and gym at Canyon View Aquatic Center near Warren College. With all of these different options, there are many ways for staff to increase the importance of fitness in their life. Take advantage of the fact that UCSD is wellness friendly and has many fitness options. Working out not only helps you achieve your fitness and wellness goals, it also can help increase the productivity of your mind at work!

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  Check out some of these great new classes for Spring– perfect during your lunch break or after work! Energy Barre – The latest in high energy barre workouts. Jump into this combo of ballet barre and hip hop dance moves for great toning and booty shaking. Mondays 5-6 p.m. April 6-June 1 Afro-Caribbean Dance – Poly rhythms is where it’s at. Come explore the rhythms from Africa and the Caribbean and free yourself out on the dance floor. Tuesdays 4-5 p.m. April 7-May 26 House Dance – Come vibe and shake to the sounds of underground dance music. Get your move and groove ready for the Sun God Festival. Thursdays 5-6 p.m. April 9-May 28 T’ai Chi – Go internal and find the power and energy within while learning the slow but purposeful movements of this ancient Chinese martial art. Wednesdays 12-1 p.m. April 8-May 27 Fridays 4-5 p.m. April 10-May 29 Women’s Self Defense – Develop awareness of your surroundings and learn how to avoid physical confrontations. The class is formatted to address each student’s individual concerns. Wednesdays 5:30-7 p.m. April 8-May 27 Coed Basketball – This intro class will focus more than just the fundamentals of shooting, dribbling and footwork. You will have an opportunity to beat “Brick” in a one-on-one. Priceless. Fridays 11-12n April 10-May 29 Dance Fusion – Join instructor “Firework” for an abbreviated class that will intro hip hop, jazz, contemporary and pop dance forms. Be ready for anything. Fridays 12-1 p.m. April 10-May 1 MMA Workout – Push yourself to your limits using total body movements and timed rounds based on martial arts techniques. No uniforms. No excuses! Mondays 5:30-5:55 pm April 4-June 1 The NEW Step –Looking for a workout that burns fat and tones your legs? This is what you want! Step workouts combine the cardio, fat burning effect of the elliptical or treadmill with the dance rhythms of Zumba. Wednesdays 5-5:55 p.m. April 8-May 27 Poundin’ Pedals – Beginning to advanced riders will benefit from this highly motivating and effective mash-up of interval drills, climbs, sprints and core strengthening cycle workout. The music will make the time fly by as fast as your legs!  Monday & Wednesdays 12-12:50 p.m. April 6-June 1 Pilates & Planks – Combining the best of both worlds, this 55 minute class will challenge your core from all directions! It will have a quick pace between traditional Pilates exercises to challenge your alignment and stabilization.Then when you think you’ve had enough – we will include fun and innovative ways to plank. Thursdays 7:30-8:25 a.m. April 9-May 28 Register now for Spring Recreation!