Leslie Bayers will teach Pilates and Barre yoga classes this summer.

Shelter in place have you feeling cooped up?

Lack of contact with others causing virtual fatigue?

Pacific Recreation has summer options for students, faculty, staff, alumni and emeriti. From an overall health challenge to specific fitness classes, there are offerings to keep you active and upbeat.

“We know these have been difficult times,” said Amber Kavehkar, assistant director of fitness. “Our courses are designed to keep people active and to engage them physically, emotionally and socially.”

Summer Healthy Habits Challenge
The challenge, sponsored by Pacific Recreation and the Office of Human Resources, focuses on three to five tasks each week to support personal progress and sustainable steps to a healthy life. 

Three-session courses are set for June 1–22 and July 6–27.

“There are physical challenges, but we also will do such things as assign a Ted Talk to watch,” Kavehkar said. “One example is they must come with a recipe to share that has five or fewer ingredients and can be made in less than 15 minutes. We try to change things up and be creative. Those who do the tasks are entered into a raffle for Pacific Recreation swag.”

The challenge focuses on helping people make intentional choices while developing healthy habits.

“The challenge has been virtual in the past, even before shelter in place,” Kavehkar said. “It is usually spread out over more weeks but we condensed it to three. We try to make it comfortable for everyone, regardless of ability or experience. They can choose to enable their video or not.”

Tiger-X Virtual Group Fitness Classes
The Tiger-X classes offered at the Baun Fitness Center in the past have been adapted into virtual offerings. “We have a good mix of classes that will cater to different desires,” Kavehkar said.

There are two classes each weekday, held at 12:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. The first set of courses runs from June 1 to July 3. The July dates will be announced at a later date.

Classes offered are Pilates, core and cardio, yoga, Zumba, sculpting and barre.

Pacific Recreation has Instagram and Facebook pages for class log in information and more on the summer programs.

Intramural sports
Traditional competitive intramural sports halted once distance learning began and most students left campus in March. However, Pacific Recreation has created summer activities such as E-sports or other gaming so that students can compete and collaborate, said Laura Whiteley, assistant director of competitive sports and facilities.

“There already is an active gaming community that we were able to tap into,” Whiteley said. “The big question is what will happen in the fall. Will we have traditional intramural sports such as flag football or soccer? Or will we have to adapt?”

Whiteley said sports that naturally have more social distancing, such as badminton, are possibilities.

“Of course, we would like to have a full offering of intramural sports, but we have to see,” Whiteley said. “Much of our goal is to get people together in a safe and fun environment.”