By Justin Grass/reporter
Students can improve their health and gain credit hours by signing up for TCC’s physical fitness elective courses.
The one-credit-hour courses vary from general fitness courses such as weight training, conditioning, physical fitness and wellness and aerobic fitness to sport courses such as volleyball, basketball, tennis, swimming and racquetball.
NW kinesiology department head Joshua Tarbay said the courses can give students the opportunity to try out something they have always wanted to do, like coaching or kickboxing, but have never had the chance to do before.
“These classes help people form bonds,” he said. “You’re in there with students who all want to be there.”
He said students have credited the courses with opening new doors in their lives.
South kinesiology department head Tim Johnson said the courses give students insight into how to effectively become healthier.
“There’s a lot more to your body than just working out,” he said. “They [the students] love the outcome. They’re healthier and more productive.”
NE kinesiology department head Kevin Harper said students can discover long-term benefits to taking the courses.
He said most of what TCC offers can be continued after the course ends, such as lifetime sports like golf and bowling.
“People who exercise regularly tend to be more productive,” he said. “It’s a big stress reliever.”
He said the courses can help enhance the effectiveness of working out by giving students a strict schedule and an instructor who can help them meet their individual goals.
“We have top-notch instructors who are very knowledgeable,” he said.
SE kinesiology department head Danny Aguirre said one of the most powerful aspects of the courses are the assessments students take at the beginning and end of the semester that allow them to see their improvement over the term in a more concrete way.
“They get to see what they accomplished,” he said. “The health benefits are astonishing.”
The physical fitness courses offered vary for each campus.
Students can contact their home campus’ kinesiology department for details on that campus’ available courses as well as what courses are best suited for them.
