Fitness is often labeled as one of the easiest afternoon programs on campus. However, it does not deserve this reputation.
Williston offers Fitness as one of the options for the afternoon program. This winter trimester, there are 13 members, all of whom are girls, though the program is open to everyone. They spend one hour, under the guidance of Sue Michalski, every weekday in the muti purpose room to train their strength. Each Wednesday, they also join a Pilates class at Embodymind Wellness: Pilates & Yoga Studio in Easthampton.
A typical Fitness class includes a variety of exercises designed to challenge different muscle groups and improve overall physical health. It starts with a warmup of 30 sit-ups, 30 squats, and 30 push-ups, and moves on to cardio exercises like running on a treadmill or burpees, and strength training, including squat or bicep curls.
Michalski plays a central role in shaping the program. Rather than allowing students to avoid the hard workouts or heavier weights, she encourages them to push themselves and take the program seriously.
“I would like fitness to be more accessible for everyone, and I want them to realize that it’s an important part of a lifetime of being fit,” she said. “Even if you are not athlete and you’re training towards a goal, it is a good part of just keeping yourself healthy both mentally and physically. I like being able to have a time and space to remind busy kids to feel a little bit better physically.”
She has already noticed significant progress among participants.
“In the progressive overload that we’re doing, I see everyone doing things that were harder before. Push-ups are really measurable ones,” she said.
The weekly Pilates sessions also motivate students to challenge themselves even further. The Pilates studio filled with calming aromas creates a focused and relaxing environment that encourages students to engage more fully in their workouts.
Cora Lieberman, a freshman from Longmeadow, Mass., is excited about the program.
“I really like the program; I think it lets people of all strengths join and be able to get stronger,” she said. “The program is harder than I expected, a few people who did it over the fall made it sound easy when I asked them about it”.
While many students find the structure and variety of the fitness program rewarding, experiences differ depending on individual goals and workout preferences. Some students claimed that open lift is a better alternative because of its focus on weights only.
Regardless of differing opinions, the program encourages students to stay active during the winter season, when it can be especially easy to lose motivation to exercise. These opportunities not only promote physical health, but also help students maintain consistency in their routines.
According to the National Library of Medicine, physical activity reduces many major mortality risk factors including arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer. All-cause mortality is decreased by about 30% to 35% in physically active as compared to inactive subjects.
Whether viewed as a challenging workout or one step towards the healthier lifestyle, the fitness program continues to play an important role in supporting students’ well-being at Williston.
