Written by Randi Tubbs // Photo by Briley Kemper
Dr. Britney Finley, assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the Healthy Eating Active Living program, opened a workout room in room 242 on the second floor of the Ganus Activities Complex. Last school year, Finley was approached and asked about a workout room or separate hours in the GAC for women only, and neither were available at the time. She heard of the relocation of ROTC from the second floor room and leaped at the chance to make a space for women to work out judgment-free.
“I want individuals who aren’t comfortable in the main workout room to learn how to do basic exercise moves to gain their confidence so that they can be confident in their skills,” Finley said.
Freshman Sydney Hardy teaches a Jazzercise class in the room every Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
“I grew up in Jazzercise starting with when I was about 10 years old,” Hardy said. “I have always loved Jazzercise. It is my stress reliever and just fun. You don’t realize you are working out. I became an instructor when I was 18, and I love it even more. I think the yoga room will help students a lot with having their own space to work out and be able to take different classes to find what suits them and what they like to do.”
Finley gave professor of kinesiology J.D. Yingling a tour of the women’s workout room. Yingling said his wife, adjunct instructor of kinesiology Kim Yingling, teaches a yoga course each semester and promotes mental health. He said he hopes the new yoga room will enhance students’ “physical, spiritual, mental, emotional and social wellness.”
“Dr. Finley heads up the HEAL program and has a passion for encouraging high-level wellness for all of our students, but especially the young women on campus,” Yingling said. “Britney is a dynamo and very spirit-led in her leadership of HEAL as well as other spiritually focused activities on campus. Britney’s many efforts to promote wellness on campus impact students and faculty/staff through their bodies, minds and souls.”
Remodeling began May 2023, and with the help of students from the interior design department, Finley successfully created the space. There are videos in the process of being created that will show workout basics like pushups, sit-ups, planks, lunges and exercises with various equipment. There are TVs available with adaptors for students to hook up their phones to play music or workout videos. The room was designed and decorated with women in mind, but will not always have exclusive hours for women.
“There are quotes that you see on the walls that promote that we are not exercising to make our bodies look better, but for the glory of God,” Finley said.
There will be an open house in the room, GAC 242, Feb. 26 from 8:30-9 p.m. where snacks and activities will be held to bless the new workout space.
