Photo taken in the RecPlex’s Multipurpose Room. Left to right: Christina DeBlasi, Ryan Moynihan, Jennie Chieco
Many can agree that the goal of all college students is to defeat the freshman 15 that we know all too well. With a busy schedule it is sometimes hard to fit in a designated time for exercise each day. As we approach the holiday season, don’t wait until the New Year to start up a diet and exercise plan. Now is the perfect time to ease your way into working towards your healthy lifestyle.
The Fairfield University RecPlex provides students with all of the necessities to meet their fitness needs. You will find a variety of exercise machines, racquetball courts, and weight rooms filled with diverse equipment. Each semester the RecPlex posts a fitness class schedule so that you don’t have to face the gym alone. You will be able to work alongside your peers with the guidance of trained, encouraging instructors in classes such as Yoga Flow, Core Yoga, Zumba, Abs & Sculpting, Total Body Conditioning, Pilates, and Boot Camp.
Senior, Carly Ciambriello, teaches both Zumba and Boot Camp at the Rec Plex and brings an enthusiastic, positive energy to each class. She will not only motivate you, but she will push you to your limits allowing you to reach your full potential. Carly describes Zumba as a “dance fitness class based on Latin and international rhythms in which you will burn between 500-1000 calories per hour”. On the other hand, Carly explains that Boot Camp is “a high intensity, interval training class in which you will do high impact exercises for shorts amounts of time”.
For those who struggle to make it to the gym and simply need a guided, structured routine, one Fairfield University student stands out among the rest. Sophomore, Ryan Moynihan, is a film major with a unique interest and talent for fitness and exercise. When Ryan is not on the film set, you will most likely find him at the gym or on the basketball court. He first became interested in his physical well being going into his freshman year, and he has continued to test his strength and accomplish new personal goals. Ryan dedicatedly goes to the gym everyday, except Sunday, which is reserved for rest.
Recently, Ryan discovered a new interest and is expanding his knowledge of exercise into personal training. I was lucky to essentially become Ryan’s “guinea pig” and first official personal trainee alongside his best friend, John. With Ryan’s help, I can already see an improvement in my own strength and John, for instance, has lost almost 20 pounds in two and half months of personal training. I think I can speak for John and myself that Ryan has not only pushed us past our limits into achieving our personal goals, but he has taught us how to become independent exercisers as well. I had the chance to sit down and chat with Ryan and he was thrilled to share some of his workout tips with Her Campus Collegiettes.
Here are some of Ryan’s recommended exercises:
Cardio: If you are just starting out practice cardio every other day until you are able to exercise every day. Running is great, either on a Treadmill, track, around campus, or striding on the elliptical. If your are up for a challenge, cardio lifts will put your strength and endurance to the test as you will be lifting a small amount of weight at a fast pace with no breaks in between. This seems scary and intimidating at first, but will definitely pay off in the end.
Strength: Small amount of weight, and a lot of repetition. This is a trick geared towards girls that want to build up their upper body strength without adding on bulk to their arms. This will add a toned and defined look to your muscles.
Abs: Everyday is abs day. Abdominal exercises range from slow leg raises, v-ups, Russian twists, frog crunches, heel touches, sit ups, toe touches, and side crunches just to name a few. All of these different exercises will strengthen your core and eventually you will be able to master the dreaded, yet anticipated plank.
When it comes to diet and exercise, we are all searching for instant results, but patience is key. Consider diet and exercise as a dynamic duo, you cannot practice one and not the other. In reference to dieting, the goal is to eat right by not abusing food and keeping in mind portion control. Indulging in your favorite sweet treat every once in a while is fine, do not deprive yourself but instead take everything in moderation. Last but not least, do not look at exercise as a chore, have fun with it. Ryan’s tips may be intimidating and a lot to digest at first, but like always, relax, stay positive, and don’t forget to breathe.
If interested in 2 day a week personal training sessions, Ryan is available by appointment on a first come first serve basis.For additional information contact Ryan Moynihan at: ryan.moynihan@student.fairfield.edu