8 jayplay.
thursday, august 21, 2003
EXTREME EXERCISE
If the thought of exercising to the sounds of treadmills, clinking weight machines and the latest Christina Aguilera single evokes a nauseating feeling, perhaps outdoor activities with an extreme edge sound more appealing.
When thinking extreme, rugby often comes to mind. The University offers this club sport for men and women.
"There is more camaraderie in this sport than any other," says KU women's rugby coach Sarah Ratzlaff.
The practices are open to anyone who is interested. The men's team practices at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Westwick Rugby Complex. The women's team practices at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays also at Westwick.
The KU Rock Climbing Club is about to become more extreme this year with the upcoming opening of the University's new recreation center.
"The new wall has so many possibilities such as lead climbing, overhanging sections, crack climbing, hanging belays and amazing boulder," says KU Rock Climbing club president Evan Kay. "Besides that, we venture all over the place, including extreme places such as Moab, Utah, and this year possibly Yosemite, Calif."
Centennial Park, 600 Rockledge, has a 12,306 square-foot skating facility. This skate-boarder's delight features street courses with halfpipes, quarter-pipes and a plaza.
When the new Recreation Center opens on Sept. 15, the club will meet from 7:30 p.m.to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.Open climbing time for all KU students will be available on multiple days and times.
The park is also home to an 18- hole disc golf course that is free for public use. Maps and scorecards are available at all Lawrence Parks and Recreation centers and at Bucky's Drive-In, 2120 W. Ninth St. Edgewood Park, 1245 E. 15th St., has a figure-eight BMX track where motorized vehicles are prohibited. Racquetball courts, basketball courts and tennis courts are also available for the public at select Lawrence Parks and Recreation facilities, but require reservations.
Julie Jantzer
Robyn Flohrschutz, Topeka senior, does a biceps curl as Rachel Trible, Russell senior, reaches for a dumbell at Body Boutique, 925 Iowa. They said they have worked out at Body Boutique for about two years and enjoy the environment. Trible said she was more motivation to work out because she pays for a membership.
SIZE MATTERS
By Julio Jones
jiones@kansan.com
Jayplay staff writer
With the exception of at-home workouts, KU's facilities are the cheapest way to get in shape. However, because of Robinson's limited space and the new Student Recreational Fitness Center not opening its doors until mid-September, some students are looking for a gym away from campus.
Whether it's because of an aspiration to live a healthy lifestyle or the desire to look appealing for that delicious enticement in math class, students seek facilities that will help them stay fit.
The choices of where to become able-bodied are many and students need to understand the options available to them to find facilities that correspond to their needs.
That's why Jayplay has broken it all down for you.
Students should consider taking advantage of the offers at Lawrence Parks and Recreation's facilities. The Community Building and the East Lawrence and Holcolm Park centers contain complete public weight rooms and are expecting $15,000 worth of new equipment in September.
Lawrence Parks and Recreation offers a wide array of inexpensive fitness classes: aerobic, boot camp, cardio combat, dance, yoga, aquatic, gymnastics and martial arts.
All aerobic and cardio classes range from $30 to $42 for eight-week sessions. All other classes are of comparable prices.
or comparable price If you are willing to drop a little more cash to obtain that rock-hard body, Lawrence Athletic Club is a
popular choice among KU students.
It advertises that the club is the most comprehensive fitness center in Lawrence. And that's no wonder considering its north branch, 3201 Mesa Way, is 30,000 square feet complete with two cardio theaters, mirrored aerobic room, Paramount weight room, free weight room, racquetball court, basketball court and an indoor-outdoor pool.
When members join the North Branch they are able to utilize the facilities at their two other locations: the South Branch, 2108 W. 27th St. Suite C, and the East Branch, 1202 23rd St, Suite D.
"LAC is a nice getaway from the campus," says Blair Barr, Lawrence Athletic Club sales representative.
Lawrence Athletic Club is the only fitness club in Lawrence that offers a cycling class. Muscle-up,
yoga, pilates, boot camp and yoga booty ballet classes are also offered.
Unfortunately, Barr would not give Jayplay the rate information requested. LAC wants prospective clients to see its facilities first-hand before talking money. However, Blair said membership prices were affordable and, if used frequently, amounts to less than a dollar a day. It sometimes offer specials for students, sorority and fraternity members and corporations.
A smaller, more intimate environment can be found at Therapy Works Wellness Center, Sixth and Maine streets. The 600-member gym has all the machines needed, just not in vast quantities.
Therapy Works does have some student members, but it is used primarily by therapy patients and seniors. Because of this, its classes feature low-impact aerobics and