Fitness instructor Jackie Brooks has a way of making fitness classes more fun. With students signing up for her classes over and over again, this mom of three and avid soccer player is making working out enjoyable.

Brooks has been teaching fitness classes for over 26 years. She started teaching while a university student, where she earned her official certification. She quickly made the transition from teaching dance classes to group fitness classes.

She has taught a variety of classes that range from stretch and flex to dance fitness. Brooks believes exercise classes are a great way to hold yourself accountable for your workout. Brooks says it creates a sense of community and encourages people to stay involved and engaged in the workout.

“Group exercise classes are great for several reasons: The number one reason for me is that it is set in your schedule and it helps us keep the appointment with ourselves to workout. Accountability is another huge plus,” Brooks said.

Brooks’ classes are full of students eager to learn and optimize their workout. Her classes integrate music, cardio and strength training to ensure you are getting the most out of your time. Students rave about her classes. They love the variety of music she plays and the passion she shows for her students.

“Jackie is a very inspirational and accessible instructor who makes fitness enjoyable by sharing her humor, energy and expertise with her classes. I’m thankful to have stumbled upon her classes this year and hope to take more of them from her in the future,” sophomore Madison Cheek said.

Brooks connects with her students beyond fitness. She helps them obtain an overall healthy lifestyle. Students come to her for advice on all aspects of their lives.

“Jackie is an amazing instructor and person all around,” Leah Pons, a sophomore student of Brooks said. “I enjoy talking to her before and after class about sports, especially basketball and soccer. I also go to her and take her advice when it comes to dietary and workout questions that I may have. Her classes are great stress relievers and help me keep my mind off of school and what ever else may be going in currently in my life. I cannot wait to take another two years of classes from her.”

Brooks encourages people to try new things with their workout. She insists staying with the same routine can get boring and can make you less motivated to keep up with your workout.

“Try new things. Your body needs to cross train,” Brooks said. “Have a healthy balance of cardio, resistance training and core/flexibility training. Have fun! Find something you love, something that makes you feel amazing and strong and keep at it.”

The sky is clearing up, temperatures are rising and Eugene feels like a completely different world in the summer. With the abundance of sunshine comes more ways to stay active and take advantage of the summertime weather. Here are five ways to get up, get outside and get moving in Eugene this summer.

Water Rafting 

From the Umpqua to the McKenzie, there is no shortage of rivers in western Oregon and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of them. For the more adventurous soul, river rafting is a great option to enjoy the river and pump up your adrenaline.

Senior Emily Greene has been going water rafting with her family for years.

“My family has always rafted on the river in the summer,”  said Greene. “Oregon is perfect for that.”

Check the UO Outdoor Program for upcoming rafting trips.

Hiking

Have you ever gone on a hike and reached the summit, only to have your view disrupted by a thick layer of fog? With blue skies over the summer, your view will be crystal clear. Check out some different hiking spots such as Sahalie Falls, Koosah Falls and Clear Lake.

If you want to learn about some great hiking spots visit the Outdoor Program for the City of Eugene, also known as the River House.

“Come join our program and we’ll take you to the best spots,” said senior program supervisor Roger Bailey.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a great way to stay in shape over the summer. This is a difficult workout and a chance to see some of the best views in Eugene.

Most hiking trails have a mountain biking option as well, but make sure to be aware of your surroundings and other hikers on the trail.

The Outdoor Program offers a bike school over the summer to learn how to maintain your bike.

“It is a great class for people who want to learn how to take care of their bikes,” said Rithy Khut Business Operations and Office Coordinator.

Surfing

People don’t often associate Oregon with surfing, but during the summer there are some great spots on the coast to catch a wave. The coastal cities in Oregon come alive in the summer. There are some great spots such as Oceanside or Cape Kiwanda.

Outdoor Yoga

If the previous activities seem slightly too intense, try taking your regular indoor fitness activities outdoors.  The Student Recreation Center often offers special classes outside when the weather is ideal.

If you do not have a gym membership, gather a group of your friends and start your own yoga class. The key is to enjoy the outdoors while doing some form of exercise. You do not need to be an expert to stay active and soak the sun in the summer.

W

hen exercising  we often try to avoid extreme heat. A hot and humid day can be an indicator to move your workout inside. However, at Sweaty Ganesh Yoga, the philosophy is a temperature exceeding 100 degrees is the perfect climate to optimize your workout.

“Sweaty Ganesh Yoga is a hot yoga studio that offers classes for people of all body types, ages and levels of experience,” owner Jess Eldridge said. “We offer a variety of classes aimed at building body awareness, strength, flexibility and balance, while quieting the mind and learning how to live in the present moment.”

Sweaty Ganesh works with people of all different body types and skill levels. You do not need to be an expert to be able to attend classes and get a mind, body and spiritual workout.

“Our Core 26 class is approachable for people of any age, body type and level of experience,” said Eldrige. “We work with college athletes, people who are trying to achieve a healthy body weight, people with injuries or chronic pain and people who have never been athletic in their lives until they found yoga.”

Univesity of Oregon laboratory technician Ashley Ludden has been going to Sweaty Ganesh for over three years. She started going to push herself and create a challenging workout. Hot yoga has also helped her find inspiration and motivation to change her lifestyle.

“The teachers and people that I practice with there are all kind, bright and inspiring,” Ludden said. “It’s a really positive influence in my life and I feel so lucky to have access to such a thing. I consider them my yoga family.”

The extreme heat in the studios does not only have physical benefits but also tests your mental limits. It pushes you to see how your respond to difficult situations and challenges. As you become more comfortable with the heat, you start to embrace it and allow yourself to remain calm. These are skills that you can take outside of the yoga studio.

With the daily stresses that students face, this type of yoga could be a helpful tool in managing a hectic schedule.

“So when finals are due and you’re overwhelmed and totally stressed out, you can respond to this situation in a calmer, more composed manner, manage your stress better, accomplish what you need to do, all without sending your system haywire or letting your stress totally take over your body and mind,” Eldridge said.

Sweaty Ganesh offers an introductory special st $39 for one month of unlimited classes. After that, students can get unlimited classes for $95 a month. If those prices are a little too expensive for students, they also offer a work study program where students can help out at the studio and receive a discounted price on classes.

For head teacher Julie Coren yoga is so much more than just a workout. It goes far beyond the physical benefits.

“This goes beyond just the physical. The mental and psychological benefits are worth more than gold. Through this practice I have learned to love myself inside and out and in general am more honest, forthright, confident, patient, relaxed and clearheaded than I could ever imagine,” Coren said.

The routine of going to the gym can get tiresome. Renting the same locker, using the same machine and listening to the same music can get boring pretty quickly, especially if you need a little extra motivation or help with your workout.

However, there are several fitness fads students and local Eugenians are exploring to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Eugene CrossFit is close to the UO campus, easily accessible to students and provides an intense workout that will push your body to the limit.

For those unfamiliar with CrossFit, it is a highly intensified workout with constantly varying movements.

“Eugene CrossFit is a coaching center,” Eugene CrossFit owner Jeremy Stecker said. ”Every time you come, there is a coach working with you and one to nine other people and it really makes a difference. We have great coaches so you’re going to find you’re going to get much fitter in much less time than anywhere else.”

While CrossFit can be expensive, Eugene CrossFit offers a 15 percent student discount. Stecker assures people that it is well worth the money. The intensified training allows you to get results quicker than just working out alone.

“What you should do before you make any decisions is set up a free introduction – that’s where you come in for an hour and try it. We put you through a workout, go over how it works and you can see for yourself if it’s a good fit,” Stecker said.

If CrossFit seems a little too intense for your fitness level, check out Barre3 Eugene. Barre3 is a low intensity workout that combines ballet, pilates and yoga. It focuses on strength as well as elongation of the leg muscles. Do not be intimidated by the ballet bar, you do not need a dance background to do this workout.

“Anyone can do this low-impact sequence and see dramatic results,” said Jessica Neely, owner of Barre3 Eugene. ”It doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 75, if you’re a turbo athlete or you haven’t worked out in years. No matter who you are, Barre3 will help you lose weight, build strength and transform your entire body.”

For those students who do not have a lot of time, you can see dramatic results in as short as a one-hour session. It is also a short two-minute walk from the downtown bus stop so it is very easy to get to.

Barre3 offers a 10 percent discount to students as well as specials for new members. Students can get an unlimited number of classes for $99 per month and, in addition to classes, Barre3 has online resources available, including home workouts and healthy recipes.

If the previous two workouts don’t sound like your fit, try Eugene Jazzercise for a fun and energetic workout experience. Jazzercise is a 60 minute dance-based fitness program that incorporates dance, strength training, pilates, yoga and kickboxing all while moving to popular music.

“Jazzercise is a long-proven workout that has grown using the latest trends in fitness,” said Nancy Bigley, Eugene Jazzercise co-owner. ”Every Jazzercise class combines cardio moves to enhance endurance and burn calories, strength training to define muscles and strengthen your core and stretching to increase flexibility. Jazzercise is a very welcoming and non-competitive environment.”

A monthly student membership is only $34 for unlimited classes. Three months can be purchased for $99.

No matter what your fitness level or preference there are many options in Eugene to add some variety to your workouts other than hitting a gym or the Student Recreation Center. These relatively inexpensive options are a great way to stay healthy and have fun while doing it.

ASF

Eugene Crossfit: uses a competition philosophy to push physical fitness
(541) 653-6299
499 Valley River Center, Eugene, OR 97401

Eugene Barre3: a mix of pilates, yoga and ballet.
(541) 485-9643
224 W Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401

Eugene Jazzercise: all-ages and skill levels workout through dance
(541) 344-2700
825 Monroe St, Eugene, OR 97402

It is hard to ignore the tantalizing smells of elephant ears and kettle corn as you walk through the ASUO Street Faire. As great as these foods may smell or taste, they are not the healthiest options. However, if you want to enjoy great tasting food at the street faire, there are several healthy options for you to try.

“I really enjoy the street fair because it means I do not have to pack a lunch for the day.  I am an athlete so I usually try to look for something light at the Street Faire before I go to practice,” said junior Kelsey Foo.

Local Vore is a healthy alternative at the street faire for delicious food that will not disappoint. With a line around the corner, this booth is very popular with students. Not only is the food healthy but it’s also relatively inexpensive with entrees available for $6 and $7.

Local Vore also buys its produce locally and organic.

“We buy most of our produce locally from Sweat Leaf farm here in Eugene. We also buy all our meat and fish from Oregon,” said owner John North.

For students that do not eat meat or just want an alternative choice, Viva Vegetarian is a great option. This cart has been a staple at the street fair for seven years serving up delicious vegetarian cuisine. With vegetarian cuisine being so popular in Eugene, it is a booth that is appealing to many students.

“I think the kind of menu I have is something students are into, so it is a good way to get in touch with that demographic,” said owner Dave Wagenheim

With so many different food carts serving a wide range of cuisine, making a healthy choice is easier then you may think. From taco salads to shaved ice there are a variety of options to still enjoy the street fair without any guilt.

During spring term, the Student Recreation Center is always filled with students trying to shed the extra weight they’ve packed on during the cold Eugene winter months before summer hits. However, sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what exercises to do to make the most of your workout. The personal training program at the recreation center is the perfect solution for students who want a little extra attention.

Signing up for the personal training program is simple. As long as you have a membership at the rec center, you are eligible, and full-time University of Oregon students are automatically members. All the personal trainers at the rec center have certificates from the American Council on Exercise. Trainers must also pass specific classes and continue their education to keep their personal trainer status.

“All the personal trainers are students and highly qualified,” senior and trainer Sasha Gorecki said. “You can pick up a personal training packet, fill it out, request a trainer (if you want) and then the head trainer will match you up with a personal trainer. It is up to the client to determine how long and how much he or she wants to meet and the trainer will program a workout.”

Students are encouraged to buy as little or many sessions as they want.

“I think it’s a great learning experience even if you just buy one session,” sophomore and trainer Taylor Sidore said. “Correcting form and really pushing someone is all they need to get the jump start to their own regimen.”

The training sessions come in several options from individual to small groups. For students that may not be as comfortable meeting with a trainer one-on-one, the group option is a great way to get the information you need in a collaborative environment, while still gaining helpful personal fitness tools.

“Small group training involves one to two trainers with three to eight participants. You meet two times per week for four weeks for a cost of $45,” senior and trainer Leigha Krick said. “It’s an awesome way to see if one-on-one personal training is something you are interested in.”

For students that are worried about the cost, the sessions can be charged to your student account and paid for at a later time. This program is also much less expensive than a program you would find at a typical gym.

While many may seek out the personal training program for short term results, it also can be a beneficial learning tool for long term personal fitness goals. And college is an opportune time to start.

“It is much easier to learn and adopt healthy behaviors when you are younger, so college is a great time to learn more and take control of your health,” Krick said. “Exercise is great because it will help you focus in class, sleep better, reduce stress and you will meet other people who are working to adopt a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”

For more information on the personal training program at the rec center visit the front desk and pick up a packet. What are you waiting for? It is time to get in shape.