2008 Woodie Awards
ARC provides place to work out, stay active
By Jessica Rupell
Rocket Focus Editor
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Focus
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In a country where flat stomachs and bulging biceps are the standards for being beautiful, where new health and fad diets come out every other week and health and fitness seem to be so important, the contradiction stands that obesity rates in the United States are soaring far higher than in many other countries.
In fact, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly one third of U.S. adults 20 years or older are obese.
So how can these numbers be lowered?
"Strong body, strong mind," said Brian Mortimer, the Coordinator of Wellness at the Russell Wright Fitness Center.
Mortimer, whose main duties include member services, being in charge of the fitness center staff and being in charge of the equipment and managing group fitness, got his bachelor's degree in physical education with an emphasis on exercise science from SRU in 1994 and his master of science in physical education with an emphasis of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation from SRU in 1996.
"I think being active and trying to keep yourself healthy and well is a very important part of life," Mortimer said. "One constant in life is health and if you don't stay healthy, what's the point?"
On SRU's campus, the main place students can do this is at the Aebersold Student Recreation Center.
The ARC, which opened to the public in January 2000, is now the hub of nearly all student recreation.
The 82,000-square foot center houses the Russell Wright Fitness Center, a six-lane pool and aquatic center, a 44-foot tall climbing wall, a three-lane mondo-surfaced indoor track and Gyms A and B, used for various activities.
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