As the end of spring semester approaches and deadlines and exams naturally cause a spike in daily tension, students wanting to burn off some of their stress can make use of RCBC’s new RECWELL Center opening later this month in the Student Success Center on the Mount Laurel, New Jersey campus.
The brand-new recreation and wellness room will soon become a hub for circuit training sessions, including a variety of group instruction classes led by RCBC’s student wellness coordinator, Shannon Violetti.
“Students have asked for an on-campus fitness space and we’ve seen an uptick in student participation with our intramural sports programming the past 18 months, " said Violetti. “This center is a natural evolution for our recreation programming. The RECWELL space offers students something to do in between classes without having to leave the campus.”
NJ CUITS, part of a state-wide initiative and a division of Tobacco Free for a Healthy New Jersey, funded the college’s RECWELL Center through a grant that included the purchase of a combination of cardio and strength training equipment. Barbells and a pedal bicycle will be added sometime in the summer.
Violetti previously worked as a graduate assistant for the Department of Wellness in rec operations at Oklahoma State University. She also managed operations and customer service at Mount Laurel LA Fitness. She’s observed the trend at other universities and colleges as they move away from traditional weight rooms and towards the CrossFit space.
“A CrossFit approach is good for the novice and individuals with an intermediate level of conditioning, or a more advanced routine,” she said. “The combination of strength and conditioning not only helps with stress reduction but improves movement for actions you perform in your day-to-day life, like squatting, pushing, pulling and more.”
Preselected circuit workouts also alleviate the anxiety participants sometimes face once they enter the fitness space. The center offers students 45-minute, instructor-led circuit training three to four days per week. Students can view days and class times and register for classes here. Drop-in hours are listed and will be updated every two weeks.
“We want our students to understand the benefits of working to improve all the key areas of health–physical, nutritional, financial, emotional and sexual–in a positive setting,” Violetti said. “We’re elated to be opening another on-campus resource that supports students in their overall health journey.”
Students, faculty and staff are invited to join RCBC’s Office of Student Life on Wednesday, April 19 at Noon - 1 pm for the grand opening. The event begins with motivational speaker, The Ripples Guy, Paul Wesselmann funded by a grant from Lockheed Martin. RCBC’s president, Dr. Michael Cioce will officially open the center with assistance from the school's mascot, Barry. Representatives from NJ CUITS and Primal Nutrition will be giving away merchandise and prizes.
Viotetti’s mood boost tip of the week: “Get moving and get outside! Do a 20-minute warm-up lap around the Quad before taking one of our new RECWELL classes. The cardio push is as beneficial as a 30-minute spin and the fresh air is a win-win. There’s no better day to start than today!”
Learn more about the 5 Dimensions of Wellness and Wellness at Rowan College at Burlington County.