Move for Your Mood
FREE Movement Sessions
In addition to the physical health benefits of exercise, regular physical activity can positively impact your brain function, boost your mood, and help reduce stress, along with many other enhancements to mental health. Join for any one session, or attend all semester long. No experience is required!
Free Pickleball at the Student Recreation Center
- January 12 - April 26
- Fridays on the MAC Court from 11 AM – 1 PM
- Fun, social & enjoyed by all skill levels – pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports nationwide
- Equipment available for complimentary use
- Wear comfortable athletic shoes
- SRC membership not required for pickleball play during these specified times
- For more information contact Julia Adams at jthatch@bgsu.edu
Free Yoga As You Are
- January 17 - April 24
- Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:10 – 12:50 PM in the Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
- Please bring your own yoga mat or towel
- No classes on March 4 & 6 (Spring Break)
FREE Step & Tone with Demetria
- January 9 - 23
- Tuesdays from 5:30 – 6:15 PM at the Student Recreation Center, Studio B
- Registration and SRC membership is not required to participate
- No class March 5 (Spring Break)
Free Women & Weights Workshops at the Student Recreation Center
Gain knowledge and confidence in the weight room! Join other women on campus at the BGSU Student Recreation Center for free exercise and educational sessions. During these sessions, familiarize yourself with the Rec, learn how to use the strength training equipment, and build your own exercise routine with the help of certified personal trainers. This workshop includes 4 sessions and is limited to 8 participants.
- February 6 – 15, Tues/Thur from 1- 2 PM
- February 19 – 28, Mon/Wed from 8:30 – 9:30 AM
- March 12 – 21, Tues/Thur from 1- 2 PM
- March 25 – April 3, Mon/Wed from 8:30 – 9:30 AM
- Register Online: https://forms.office.com/r/k3EAATre8U
Free Martial Arts Classes
- Learn taijutsu, a traditional Japanese martial art focused on self-awareness and natural body movement for self-defense. Taijutsu involves unarmed techniques for striking, kicking, blocking, grappling, and throwing, traditional weapon techniques, and methods of evasion and escape from dangerous situations.
- Tuesdays: Ongoing beginning January 9: 6 - 7:30 PM (No class on March 5)
Student Recreation Center Classroom 188
- Open to BGSU students, faculty and staff, ages 14 and up. All ability levels are welcome! Classes are conducted in a supportive environment through which participants can improve their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Drop in to any class, advance registration not required. Wear comfortable clothing.
- Instructed by BGSU Chief Well-Being Officer, Ben Batey. Ben is a licensed instructor with over 20 years of experience in the art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu and currently holds the rank of 6th degree black belt.
- For More Information: Ben Batey: bbatey@bgsu.edu
Free Feminist Cardio Drumming
Join Dr. Sarah Rainey-Smithback for feminist cardio drumming sessions - a high-energy, fun way to enjoy your body, build community, and enjoy feminist music! Content warning: music may be explicit.
Sessions are appropriate for ALL bodies and fitness levels, no experience necessary, and can even be done in a chair.
- Wednesdays: March 13, 27, April 3, 10, 17
- 4:30 – 5:15 PM
- Student Recreation Center, Studio B
- Reserve your spot by pre-registering on the MyRec portal: https://myrec.bgsu.edu/. When logging in, select ‘BGSU MyRec Login’ and use your BGSU username and password. Select ‘Fitness’ and then ‘Free Cardio Drumming’. Register for 1 session or all 5.
Poker Walk - Go the distance of your choice (half mile, 1 mile or more) and stop at the poker walk stations to collect your five card poker hand. The top 3 individuals with the best poker hand win a prize and all who participate are entered into a raffle. No prior knowledge of poker is needed to participate.
- Wednesday, April 3: 11 AM - 1 PM | Perry Field House
- Free and open to everyone!
- Food truck
- Smoothie blender bike & free healthy snacks
- Pickleball, table tennis and corn hole
- PAWS Team Therapy Dogs – relax and unwind with furry friends!
- Mindfulness and self-care resources
- Financial wellness resources
- Giveaways & raffle prizes
All activities are FREE for BGSU students, faculty and staff. Registration is not required.
Group Exercise Classes at the Student Recreation Center
Over 30 classes a week to choose from including cycle, BODYPUMP, Pilates, WERQ Dance Fitness, various Yoga classes, strength circuits and more. BGSU students, faculty and staff can continue participate in unlimited fitness classes all semester long by purchasing a Group X membership at a discounted rate. SRC facility membership is not required. View the complete schedule of classes on the Group X Webpage.
Interested in hosting a fun movement session for your department, organization, Residence Hall, team, or class? Contact Karyn Smith at karync@bgsu.edu for more information.
Physical Activity for Mental Acuity/Cognitive Function
- Exercise can boost mood by triggering the release of feel-good hormones and chemicals, like endorphins, which can boost energy levels and promote positive feelings.
- Regular aerobic exercise can reduce anxiety by making your brain’s “fight or flight” system less reactive and it can reduce depressive symptoms.
- Exercise directly affects your brain and improves brain function!
- Exercise increases levels of a neurotransmitter called BDNF, which helps build brain cells and improves transmission of nervous system signals through the brain.
- Exercise leads to stronger, healthier, better-connected, bigger brain cells = increased learning capacity!
- Moderate physical exercise, such as walking, can also boost memory functions.
Updated: 02/27/2024 02:44PM