Functional Training Changes How Students Get Fit at VSU

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University is keeping up with the latest fitness trend by adding a functional training room to the Campus Recreation Center.

Kyle Hopkins, an American College of Medicine-certified exercise physiologist who graduated from VSU in May, said surveys have concluded that students have wanted more equipment that mimics functional training.

Functional training is a combination of exercises for everyday movements, such as squatting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and rotating. It aids a person’s strength, mobility, flexibility, and stamina.

“We wanted to upgrade the weight room,” said Hopkins. “We decided that we would give clubs and organizations across campus, along with other fitness enthusiasts, the opportunity for something different to help tailor their fitness goals.”

Hopkins pitched the idea of the functional training room to Campus Recreation Director Shawn Phippen.

“The University of Georgia just implemented their functional training room,” said Hopkins. “They used the same brand that we went with.”

The room provides the students with fitness equipment such as quad racks, a punching bag, VertBalls, Corebags, slam balls, soft plyometric boxes, tires, sleds, and more. The staff is also in the process of adding more equipment.

The training room focuses on more than one or two areas of the body during a single exercise, which differentiates it from the other areas of the facility.

“One thing I like about it is if I’m trying a new exercise with weights or if I’m trying to do a little bit heavier than I’m used to, the equipment is a lot safer,” said Ashley Reisner, assistant director of fitness with VSU Campus Recreation. “Because if you drop it, it wouldn’t do as much damage as the regular weights.”

The cross training bumper plates are made with a thick rubber coating and are softer than the weights used in the weight room. The functional training room also offers soft plyometric boxes with adjustable height, as opposed to the steel plyometric boxes in the weight training room.

The equipment provides a safe environment that is accomodating for everyone from beginner level exercisers to an advanced level of exercisers.

The Campus Recreation Center offers a 7,000-square-foot indoor pool, a 27-foot climbing wall, multipurpose courts, an indoor track, a cardio area, and a fitness room.

Memberships are offered to students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Contact Ashley Reisner at (229) 245-4302 or alreisner@valdosta.edu for more information.

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.