As tryouts for winter athletics and sports approach, students looking to make a team, or simply keep a New Year’s resolution, can head to the John W. Hart Building for a tune-up.

To start off, students can visit the Wellness Center, located on the north side of the Hart Building near the Fitness Center on the bottom floor. Here, students can undergo several tests to see where they stand physically.

A first-visit test takes about an hour, said Megan Rinke, a Wellness Center Staff member and a senior from Rexburg. Most people really don’t know what kind of shape they’re in, Rinke said.

These tests, which include blood pressure, body fat composition, cardiovascular (stationary bike or treadmill), muscular strength (push-ups, crunches, bench-press) and flexibility tests, provide a clear view of someone’s physical fitness.

After the initial testing session, students or faculty can schedule a second visit to meet with a staff member and go over their results.

Some students are just curious to see what their results are, Rinke said, but the staff gladly works with those who want to use their results to develop a plan to improve in specific areas.

The plan can include an additional Nutritional Analysis that uses a computer program to show how a diet should be adjusted to make it balanced and to ensure proper nutrition.
As a part of their plan, students can be referred to a physical trainer in the Fitness Center.
The trainer can then develop a workout program with them that will improve the areas they want to work on.

While feeling and performing better don’t come without effort, these services are free to BYU-Idaho students and faculty. The Wellness Center is open Mondays and Wednesdays 1 - 6 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 - 11 a.m. and 3 - 6 p.m.