(Posted February 5, 2016)

FITLAB meets every morning at 8 a.m. in the gym. Photo by Devon-Mikal Weaver
FITLAB meets every morning at 8 a.m. in the gym. Photo by Devon-Mikal Weaver

This spring Neal Utterback is offering FITLAB to all students at Juniata. This program runs every weekday morning at 8 a.m. and involves different forms of fitness training.

Things started out with only a handful of students as a way to prepare for obstacle racing. After a while, these daily fitness gatherings grew and it became open to anyone interested in boosting fitness and confidence.

Students involved in theater are required to participate so that they become better prepared for things that happen on stage. "FITLAB keeps me focused and grounded and more awake and sensible," says Logan Moore '17, of Chadds Ford, Pa.

All students are welcome, regardless of POE or athletic ability. Shalen Perehinec '16, of Altoona, Pa., is not a part of the acting program but says, "It wakes me up in the morning and I feel more alert during the day." Utterback hopes to include as many people as possible in FITLAB so the whole community is able to benefit.

"The goal is to build a holistically fit body and mind," says Utterback. It means that there are not only aerobic and strength exercises, but things that help with different parts of the brain as well. Utterback believes that fitness is not just about losing weight, but can also help with performance in school and overall happiness. With all of these factors, Utterback hopes that students will be able to go to class and "show up with your full neuro-chemical cocktail ready and primed for the work."


By Alex Webb, Juniata Online Journalist

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.