Message

from the
Director
Welcome to The Bench Press newsletter!
The Wellness & Recreational Sports
Complex has been instrumental in the
transformation of campus life since opening its doors on August 27, 2007. We take
a lot of pride in our facility and feel fortunate that we have the resources to help
you fulfill your recreational needs. We
want to continue meeting those needs by
expanding our services and programs, acquiring the latest exercise equipment, and
effectively managing the resources we
have. As we move into our seventh year
of operation, we will continue to look for
better ways of doing things. We will take a
good look at what we have accomplished
since 2007 and what we want to accomplish in the future. This newsletter is one
step in that direction. Enjoy!
Travi s Hughes
Director of Wellness &
Recreational Sports

Bench press Newsletter 1

Be Active.
Join a Sport.
Now you are a college student at UTPA and everything in your life seems to be changing as you make
your way into adulthood. Getting used to your
new class schedule and getting involved in campus activities and organizations while managing
your time with work or other responsibilities can
be a bit overwhelming. So what can you do to be
involved, stay active, and relieve some stress? Intramural Sports is your answer!
What is Intramural Sports? The Intramural Sports
program at UTPA offers an assortment of recreational activities for students, faculty, and staff to
participate in without needing a certain level of
ability or experience in a certain sport. We offer a
wide range of activities to choose from including
flag football, soccer, dodgeball, beach volleyball,
tennis, team handball, ultimate disc, and much
more.
Why should you join? Intramurals is a great way to
meet new people and probably the best way to
stay active and keep off that Freshmen 15. According to the National Intramural Sports Association, students involved in campus recreation, combined with a balanced schedule, showed greater
alertness in classes and enjoyment of their college
experience. Intramural sports can provide leadership opportunities. Every team needs a captain so
this is your chance to take the lead and put a team
together.
How do you join? Its easy! All intramural registrations are done online. Go to www.imleagues.com/
utpa and select the sport you wish to participate in.

t
g
a
n
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i
t
t
y
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a
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A
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r
to

Yo u v e
probably
seen
lo
Sergio
walking
t
h
around the WRSC or
g
ei
even biking around camW
pus.
He currently works as a
s

facility manager for Wellness and

te
n
Recreational Sports and is easily classie
u
fied as one of those who lives a healthy lifeP
o
style
this wasnt always the case. Last year Seri
g
r
gio made it his New Years Resolution to lose weight
Se
and live a healthier life. He lost a total of 55 pounds and
has managed to keep it off.

I wanted to better my life. I did not want to huff
and puff walking around campus, Sergio said.

At this time, Sergio had just become employed at
the WRSC and was working for Member Services. It was
then that he was exposed to how easy it was to live a fit
lifestyle. He realized it was all just a matter of getting up and
doing it. With this mentality, Sergio committed his time and
efforts to fitness and being mindful of what he ate.

I was surrounded by healthy people, working at
the rec, its kind of what got me to where I am health wise,
he said.

How did Sergio lose the weight and shift his lifestyle? At first he was embarrassed to workout in front of
other people, so he started at home with the Insanity sixweek program. He eventually worked his way up to working
out at the WRSC by taking different group exercise classes
and utilizing the machines the facility provides.

Once he got the exercise momentum going, his fitness schedule became easier to commit to. Sergio made it
a point to workout every day. He didnt let school or work,
or not having enough time become an excuse for skipping
workouts. As busy as his schedule was, he made time in the
late evenings to workout. To this day he has been able to
maintain fitness and wellness as a priority in his life.

His advice to people that have losing weight as
their New Years Resolution this year is this: The only way it
will get done is if you just get up and do it!

ss

Benchpress Newsletter 3

Break Your
Routine
Looking for an
AB-MAZING core
workout?

TRX AB
Routine
TRX Pike
Place feet (toes down) in foot cradles
under anchor point, assume plank
position.

Try the TRX located on the weight room

floor on the jungle gym (located in the
middle of the weight room). TRX is a
suspension trainer that challenges the user
to actively engage their core in any and all
movements. Try these three core workouts
next time you visit us. When performing
the exercises it is important to work slowly
through each movement focusing on core
engagement and controlled movement.

Lift tailbone towards the ceiling while

For more exercises for the entire body visit:

under anchor point, assume plank

position on forearms.

www.trxtraining.com

maintaining straight legs.

Return to start position and repeat

for 10 reps.

Start

Finish

TRX Oblique Crunch:

Place feet (toes down) in foot cradles
Lift tailbone and bring knees to right
elbow.

Return to start position. Repeat on

the left side. 10 reps each side.

Start

Finish

TRX Oblique
(with Rotation):
Lie on left hip and forearm, with toes
in foot cradles under anchor point,
legs offset, top leg forward.

Lift hips into plank position, hold.

Raise right hand to the ceiling.
With your right hand, reach down

and through the space between

your planked body and the floor
while rotating your torso in the same
direction.

Perform complete set, then repeat on

Start

other arm. Perform 10 reps each side.

Finish

Its that time of the year again, the time for a fresh start.
Everyone knows that clich phrase, New Year, New You.
So lets welcome the year with a new set of resolutions and
lets not fall victims to unattained New Years resolutions
by allowing the Rec to help you achieve your 2014 goals.

plan would be to visit our Fitness Assessment Center, to

see where you stand now and to also keep track of your
results. After you are assessed you have the option to be
matched with a personal trainer to help guide you through
your weight loss journey.

We asked you about what New Years Resolutions mattered to you for this upcoming year by passing out a survey.
Based on these results its safe to say that a lot of work will
be needed to achieve these resolutions. Hear how the Rec
provides the perfect outlets to get the results you want:

Get a New Job: The Rec is currently the top student employer on campus. There are many different areas
under our facility that you can work for. Whether its with
member services, group exercise or intramurals, working at
the WRSC has its perks. For more information about getting a job at the Rec contact Career Services.

Exercise Regularly: This year make it a priority

to exercise at the Rec. We have a lot to offer! From the variety of cardio machines to our free weight area the Rec has
everything you need to meet your fitness goals. Having no
time is an excuse of the past. Our hours of operation are:
Monday through Thursday: 6 A.M. 11 P.M.
Friday: 6 A.M.-9 P.M.
Saturday: 8 A.M. 8 P.M.
Sunday: 12 P.M. 7 P.M.
Eat Healthy: Its a new year and that calls for a fresh
diet. Usually when people think of diets they think that
its necessary to forever ditch junk food and sinful sweets
and start eating boring health food. This is not the case.
Throughout the semester UTPAs dietetics students hosts
Healthy Cooking 101 sessions in which you learn different
recipes that are not only delicious but highly nutritious!
Stop Procrastinating & Have a more
balanced life: The Rec isnt just a place you go to
work out, the lounge area on our second floor creates the
ambience perfect for studying and prioritizing the important things in your life.
Lose Weight: The best way to start a weight loss

Be a Leader: This year is the perfect year to stand

out from the crowd. A perfect way to do this is to join intramurals and become a team captain. Put your leadership
to the test and organize your own team. Think of all the
friends and memories you will be responsible for making!
Try Something New: The year 2014 screams, Its
time for adventure! Going on an adventure doesnt mean
you have to travel far away. The Rec is home to a 35-foot
rock-climbing wall. This wall provides not only a thrilling experience but it is also a full body workout.
Meet New People: Who says you have to work out
alone? Make a new friend in one of the many group exercise classes that the Rec has to offer. Maybe that girl on the
bike next to you in spinning class could be your next BFF, or
that one brave guy shaking it in Zumba your next BF!
Another thing we found from the surveys we passed out
was the most common resolution filled out for other
was, relationship. The Rec could be a good place to meet
your next significant other, but we are not to be held liable
for any broken hearts!
What are you waiting for? Lets get started on your 2014
New Years Resolutions by paying a visit to the Rec!

Benchpress Newsletter 5

K eep it clean , proper , and producti v e

You know that great feeling when you get to the gym ready to work out
and you notice that your favorite machine is not being used! As you put on your
headphones you walk over to your machine ready for a great workout, you sit down
and then you feel it your clothes are immediately soaked with sweat from the
previous person! Doesnt sound so great anymore. You probably start thinking to
yourself what person would do such a thing? I think weve all experienced this
or something similar to it and it just plainly drives us nuts. What about the
guy who is texting and will not share the time on the machine or the person
who doesnt re-rack their weights? Just like we were taught proper table
manners as a child, there are certain rules and guidelines everyone
should follow while sharing workout space with others.
Wellness and Recreational Sports provides many tools for you
and other students to keep the equipment clean. There are many
cleaning stations throughout the weight/cardio areas that hold
clean red rags and disinfectant sprays. Grab a clean rag and
disinfectant bottle, spray the equipment you are about to use,
and then wipe it down. Once you are done with that simply put
the now dirty rag in the bucket labeled dirty rags. Dont forget
to do the same once you are done!

Now you walk to a different station to do your next
exercise and the guy who seems to be working out is doing
nothing but either taking a selfie or posting about working out.
This might be a perfect time to ask him nicely if you can join in
on the workout circuit that is. Sometimes asking someone if
they are almost done is not the way to go but maybe asking them
if they are willing to share the machine is the best option to take.
Remember this when you are working out and someone asks you to
share the machine.

If everyone follows these steps and guidelines then we can all have
a great workout with minimal aggravation. Wellness and Recreational Sports
would like to thank everyone who follows the weight/cardio rules and if you
ever see anyone breaking them please feel free to address it to our staff.

Benchpress Newsletter 7

CookingLight.com

Yi e l d : 4 s e r vi ng s ( s e r vi ng s i ze : 2 s l i ce s )

Ingredients

1 (10-ounce) Italian cheese

flavored thin pizza crust

(such as Boboli)
1 teaspoon cornmeal
Cooking spray
3 tablespoons refrigerated pesto
with basil (such as Buitoni)

Tot a l : 20 Mi n u tes

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded

fresh mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1/2 cup sliced small tomatoes
(such as Campari tomatoes)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup small basil leaves
Crushed red pepper (optional)
Preparation

Photo: John Autry;

Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Nutritional
Information

Amount per serving

Calories: 352 Fat: 13.8g Saturated fat: 4.8g Monounsaturated fat: 3.2g
Polyunsaturated fat: 3.2g Protein: 15.8g Carbohydrate: 40.2g Fiber: 2g
Cholesterol: 24mg Iron: 2.6mg Sodium: 643mg Calcium: 297mg

1. Preheat broiler to high.

2. Place a baking sheet
in oven; heat for 10
minutes.
3. While baking sheet
heats, place crust
on another baking
sheet sprinkled with
cornmeal. Lightly coat
crust with cooking
spray. Spread pesto
evenly over crust,
leaving a 1-inch border;
sprinkle mozzarella
evenly over pesto.
Dollop ricotta, by
teaspoonfuls, evenly
over mozzarella. Slide
crust onto preheated
baking sheet, using a
spatula as a guide. Broil
5 inches from heat
for 5 minutes or until
cheese begins to melt.
Remove from oven; top
evenly with tomatoes,
black pepper, and
basil. Sprinkle with red
pepper, if desired. Cut
into 8 slices.

Calling
All
Parties

So you want to throw a party and you dont know where to begin. There are
many questions that are unanswered like What is the theme? or Who am
I going to invite? Before any of that you probably should find a location and
boy do we have the place for you! The Wellness and Recreational Sports
Complex (WRSC) is a wonderful place to host your next event.
What type of parties can be hosted at the WRSC?
Youth and Adult Birthday Parties Class reunions Great alternative to
bachelor & bachelorette parties Company meetings Retirement parties
Church groups Lock-ins / overnight event Low ropes
The options are endless and we have the facility that caters to most. Whether
you want to reserve the pool or just the volleyball pits we allow for multiple
areas to be reserved at one time.
These are your options:
Pool Palapa BBQ pit Tables and chairs Sound system Beach
Volleyball Basketball Courts Tennis Softball field Rock wall Conference
room
Want your guests to eat? Great! You can bring in your own food, get it
catered by Sodexo, or BBQ it on site. To book your next event please visit our
website at www.utpa.edu/wellness .

NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, is a significant key to inspiring wellness in local, regional, and global communities.
Beginning in 1950 as the National Intramural Association, this profession proves to inspire the development of healthy
communities worldwide.
Who are we?
We are collegiate recreation professionals dedicated
to developing future leaders fostering lifelong habits
of wellbeing. Leadership, teamwork, dedication, and
respect are among many skills exercised by inclusive
competition, fitness, and recreation. Whether you are
taking advantage of participating in an intramural sport, a
group exercise class, or jogging on a treadmill, recreation
centers across the country prove to be a significant part
of college life.

What do we do?
With the establishment of a recreational facility, comes a
variety of programs and services available to a university
community. While intramural sports can be viewed
as a foundation for recreation, additional programs
help complete the full recreation experience: fitness
and wellness programming, aquatics, club sports and
outdoor recreation. In addition, services provided include
memberships, facility rentals and special events, and a
main source for student employment on campus.
Enjoy the experience.

We invite all who are interested in quality programs and services, to take advantage of recreational programming on
campus locally and across the country. We encourage all to develop the lifelong skills of integrity, collaboration, diversity,
and respect.
In good health,
Wellness and Recreational Sports
www.nirsa.org

Homecoming
Ad

Show your love for Bronc Country at Homecoming 2014. Make sure to mark your calendars for
February 10-16, 2014 for the weeklong celebration that will bring you back home to remember
the good times and make new memories. Plenty of fun and excitement awaits you with the
Tailgate Party and Class of 1964 50+ Reunion. To be part of the festivities, email the Office of
Alumni Relations at alumni@utpa.edu or call (956) 665-2500.