Archive for ‘Philosophy’

A diagram showing one of Techno Gym's newest machines, the Crossover, which will be included in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center

Students will get a taste of Italy in their new wellness center — though it will be felt in the presence of aerobics and weight equipment, not pasta or pizza.

Technogym, an Italian company that markets itself as a high-tech, whole-wellness equipment manufacturer, will provide most of the workout machines featured in the new Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center on the Abilene Christian University campus.

“They’re truly a wellness company, not just fitness,” said Dr. Kerri Hart, soon to be the SRWC director of training and fitness programming.

Central to Technogym’s work in installing its equipment in the wellness center will be the inclusion of a wellness key — a device similar in appearance and function to a USB flash drive that will allow students to “log in” to the center and each machine, coordinate workouts and receive credit for classes. [See a brochure describing the key.]

More »

Dr. Nicki Rippee

Dr. Nicki Rippee feels your pain.

If you’re gymphobic, if you feel intimidated by the sight of perfectly toned bodies working out on machines you barely understand, or if you simply don’t know where to begin, Rippee’s been there.

“This is what I do,” says the Abilene Christian University professor of exercise science and health, “and there are some fitness centers I’ve been in, and I feel intimidated.”

That’s why, as she both began and ended an interview about the overall wellness philosophy embodied in ACU’s new Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center, she emphasized five words:

“This is not a gym.

“This is not a fitness center,” Rippee said. “That’s not our goal. We have a much broader path. This will be a place where people could integrate all the parts of what we call wellness.”

So what is wellness?

More »