Heart disease and stroke continue to afflict more Americans than any other disease, costing us billions of dollars every year in health care costs and lost productivity. Fortunately, there is substantial evidence that lifestyle changes, primarily through exercise and diet, are extremely effective preventive measures. Heart to Heart is a free 8-week health promotion program jointly sponsored by the Department of Exercise and Sport Studies and the Benefits Office. Available to staff and faculty, the program is aimed specifically at lowering the risk of cardio- vascular disease. Participants help to achieve this goal by taking control of their personal health and supporting each other.
Personal training involves one to five individual sessions with an experienced trainer.
During these sessions, the trainer tailors a program to meet each participant's abilities, needs, and interests. Group sessions, which meet every Friday at noon, complement the personal training by providing discussions about wellness and the challenges of maintaining a commitment to fitness. Guest speakers are brought in to teach participants about nutrition, stress management, and other health-related topics. Les Hancock and Marisabel Alvarez, both of Physical Plant, share ideas at a recent Heart to Heart program. The combination of personal attention and group support is earning rave reviews from participants.