Next time you feel the urge to just grab a Starbucks latte on your way to class, Chris Bosch wants you to rethink skipping breakfast.
Last night in Harrison College House, a group of personal trainers including Bosch, an associate director of Penn Recreation, discussed the best workout programs for a variety of desired results and how students can develop exercise programs for their own lifestyle and goals. The event was presented by the Harrison Health and Fitness Program.
Bosch and the other trainers talked about a pervasive misunderstanding of health lifestyles among students. They also set out guidelines for students to set realistic fitness goals, how to exercise effectively and safely and how to improve flexibility.
Many students in college face health problems, Bosch said, and students agreed. Participants said they dedicate less time to physical activities after graduating high school and that they have difficulty controlling their diet. Many students also admitted to drinking energy drinks, which are unregulated by the FDA and not medically proven to have any health benefits.
To remedy this problem, Bosch encouraged students to focus on basic health guidelines - he encouraged them to exercise regularly and to get enough to eat. He told students to think of consuming food as fuel.
Bosch also introduced PennFit, a free lifestyle-eduction program at Pottruck that includes advanced sessions such as stress management and the Fitness and Wellness program.
Also, Bosch repeatedly stressed the importance of replenishing hydration and fuel to sustain the body. He warned students not to listen to incorrect information from the athletic world, which is far from a normal fitness process.
Students should maintain an energy balance and not work out on an empty stomach, he said.
Mike Weimtraub, a College and Wharton sophomore who lives on the Health and Fitness floor of Harrison, said he learned a lot about how to improve his workout routine from the event.
Bosch said he was more than happy to visit Harrison after getting a call from Bo Finneman, a Wharton senior who organized the event along with Wharton graduate student Mike BaiOcchi.
"It was a great start to outreach students in college houses and encourage them to fully utilize Pottruck," Bosch said.
The trainers will help Harrison residents to exercise at Pottruck throughout the coming weeks.
