Fitness found: Spring schedule at West campus center fit to be tried

“Find your fitness” is the mantra spoken regularly at the Diablo Performance and Recreation Center at Arizona State University’s West campus. With a new spring schedule hot off the press, it is safe to say that center Director Keith Munson and Program Coordinator Michael Beadle have found the right mix of fitness-related offerings.

From the fifth annual Sun Devil Flag Football Tournament on Feb. 5 to the May 4 Midnight Breakfast and Ping-Pong Tournament, and from mind-body non-credit courses to new Fitness Performance Clubs, the center, located on the lower level of the University Center Building (UCB), the center continues to present traditional favorites, along with a handful of new activities, to the ASU community.

“We see growth in participation each and every year,” says Munson, who has directed the 6,000-square foot facility since 2006. “We do our best to keep our activities and our schedules fresh and attractive, and we work hard to keep our equipment up-to-date and in line with what our students, faculty and staff want in their fitness center.”

The intramural schedule gets underway with the Feb. 5 flag football tourney on the Las Casas Lawn on the West campus. The 4-on-4 co-ed tournament gets underway at 1 p.m. and registration is underway. Other intramural competitions include a Feb. 19 bowling night at Brunswick Zone; March 2 Iron Devil strength, endurance and speed weightlifting competition; March 17 Bracket Challenge and NCAA Tournament Viewing Party; March 30 Sand Devil co-ed volleyball, April 9 Resident Hall Association West kickball, April 21 co-ed slow-pitch softball at Paseo Raquet Center; and the May 4 ping-pong tournament.

A 5-on-5 basketball league is also on the Diablo intramurals schedule. The men’s league begins with a team captains’ meeting on Feb. 8 at noon in the center, with the three-week competition taking palce on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. from Feb. 9-23. An all-campus double-elimination championship tournament is scheduled at ASU’s Tempe campus Student Rec Center March 27. The ASU champion will be invited to play in the March 4-6 NIRSA West Regional Championship Tournament at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

“Intramurals are an important part of what we offer to our students, faculty and staff,” says Munson. “These competitions provide a powerful medium for student interaction, and the interest and the response have been rewarding and also have helped us add events that our members have requested,” Munson adds, noting that the bracket challenge and slow-pitch softball offerings are new this semester.

Yoga, which takes place in La Sala on the West campus; Zumba, a Latin America-inspired dance fitness program; bellydancing; basic martial arts and street self-defense; a mindfulness group; and United Fighters Association club are among the non-credit course offerings available to students, faculty and staff in Spring 2011.

“We encourage students to ‘find their fitness’ at the center,” says Munson. “As an enrolled ASU student, you have access to all recreation facilities at any ASU campus. Faculty, staff and alumni are eligible to participate in all of our activities and courses through a nominal fitness center membership.” Options include a $25/month charge, $50/semester, or $140 annually.

Other available Diablo programs include “Make it Fit,” which rewards frequent center users with ASU merchandise and a chance to win Phoenix Suns basketball tickets; “Find a Buddy,” a social fitness directory that allows members to connect with fellow members with similar fitness interests; clubs that will focus on exercise and activities; free body composition tests; and personal trainers at just $20 per session, with a free initial consultation.

In addition to outdoor facilities that include athletic fields, campus walking path and basketball, racquetball and sand volley ball courts, the fitness center boasts more than 6,000 square feet of indoor workout space and is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Recent center additions that have been supported by the Associated Students of ASU’s West campus (ASASUW) include new flooring, “cardio theatre” on all cardio machines, adaptive motion trainers, free WiiFit and WiiSport checkout, and upgraded lighting. Weightlifting features include full-body selectorized weight circuit, multi-power racks, multi-Smith machine, leg press, portable and adjustable flat/incline/decline benches, cross-cables with attachments, and a full line of dumbbells. Cardiovascular equipment includes cardio machines, adaptive motion trainers, recumbent cycles, cross-trainers/ellipticals, and treadmills. The center group fitness area features heavy- and speed-boxing bags, free-standing Wave Master boxing/kicking bag, stretching area, exercise balls, TVs, and free exercise/dance DVD checkout.

Lockerroom and shower facilities include free towel service, free day-locker use and large and small long-term locker rentals.

“We can help you find a fitness plan that is best suited to you and your schedule,” says Munson. “No matter your goals or your interests, the center and our schedule are designed to meet your fitness needs.

For more information about intramurals, courses and programs, call the Diablo Performance and Recreation Center at 602-543-FITT (3488) or visit http://campusrec.asu.edu/west.