Fitness Program for Associates

[SigTauJake]

Next fall as part of our Associate Education program (or pledge program, since I hate being PC) we are considering adding a fitness program. This is a time for the Associates to work out with the brothers, either go jogging, or hit the gym. We think this is an important because not only does it help you look better, but it keeps you healthier, and we all know that while pledging you eat when you can, and it is a lot of junk food. And it couldn't hurt to be in a little better shape for Greek Week feild events. I was just wondering what everyone's opinion was on this and if anyone has any ideas on how do structure it.

[Chief]

It sounds like a pretty good idea. The only thing I would recommend is don't make it too structured, and definitely don't make it mandatory. That could turn a lot of people off. There are some people (like myself, unfortunately) who just refuse to make the time and effort to get in better shape. But I think if it was optional or even strongly encouraged, a lot of pledges would think it's a cool idea. And as you said, it's good for Greek Week and especially intramural sports. And I think it would be a positive image for the brothers and pledges to put on letter T-shirts and go out jogging.

I have to laugh because I cannot picture my own chapter doing any kind of fitness regimen. My chapter was so diverse--we had a lot of really good athletes, and then some guys who were so out of shape that they couldn't run the mile in 10 minutes if you paid them. Classic example: my pledge semester, our president was well over 300 pounds and his pledge son that semester weighed about a buck-twenty. Like I said, very diverse.

[33girl]

I think it would be cool for the whole chapter to do something physical (including pledges) but definitely not mandatory. Something kind of low key, maybe a weekly touch football game? That might be more well received than jogging. I know what Chief means - I can't picture some of the guys at my school doing anything more physical than laundry.

[James]

You can do it, I was hoping to institute it down here, if you make it a goal system and announce it up front.

If its in the sylabus of your new member program and a requirement. And you allow the new member to set a physical goal, and then offer them several different programs, pair them with a lifting buddy, and make sure your active chapter is also pretty fitness conscious . . . Good luck.

Let me suggest using the body-for-life challenge as a model. www.bodyforlife.com I believe. They can win a hundred thousand dollars . . . and they get fit, and its easy.

Definitely a good idea.

Last semester we implemented a Sister Workout Night at our campus fitness center every Monday night. Usually we had our diehard workout fanatics so we knew that there'd be at least 5-6 sisters there.

Of course it was non mandatory, but we were all encouraged to go. There wasn't much structure to it, but the week before we started going we got the run down of the different policies of the gym and the kinds of fitness programs that are available to university students.

To compliment the workout night we had programs throughout the year that dealt with health and wellness issues and that really helped us understand things a lot better.

But alas, since summer started I haven't been to the gym for a long time. My workout sisters (who were usually my motivation to go work out) are gone for the summer so I haven't really felt like going...and I'm already feeling the effects of it. I tried on a cocktail dress from last year and now it doesn't zip up all the way. Now I have to get a new dress for Convention.

[PotentialPledge]

Great Idea! Think I may do something similar.

[jonsagara]

Great idea - just don't make it mandatory for your associates or it could be considered hazing. Make sure the whole house has an equal opportunity to (not) participate.