IU staff members step into fitness

A kick-off event for the IU Campus Recreational Sports Step Into Fitness program will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the IU Art Museum.

Local wellness partners will be present, along with activities and light refreshments to promote the benefits of walking.

The Step Into Fitness program aims to help IU staff members increase their daily number of steps to follow the Surgeon General’s recommendation of 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Currently, the majority of American citizens do not meet the recommendation, walking only about 3,000 to 6,000 steps per day.

The nine-week program is free and lasts from June 1 to July 31. It includes weekly nutrition and physical activity tips, a free pedometer and incentives to stay on track, such as the opportunity to win tickets to events at the IU Auditorium or a year’s membership at the Student Recreational Sports Center.

According to the Cooper Institute of Aerobics Research, taking the 10,000 steps a day — about five miles — is the amount of physical activity needed for the average person to lower body fat, improve blood pressure and increase aerobic fitness.

Informatics Professor Marty Siegel participated in the program previously and said he agrees.

“The benefits are numerous,” Siegel said. “It helps you become aware of how sedentary we are during the day. Through movement, it improves your blood pressure and stimulates brain growth, it helps build your stamina, and it helps you feel better about yourself.”

Taking a lunchtime stroll through the IU Art Museum and looking at the collection of more than 30,000 pieces of artwork from all over the globe is one of the many ways Rec Sports is encouraging staff members to become more active.

“Staff members should definitely sign up,” Siegel said. “It’s a great way to get moving. Movement is fundamental to any health and wellness program. This program helps you take your first step towards
fitness — literally.”

— Hannah Spencer