USC Recreation and Fitness Guidebook

USC RECREATION AND FITNESS G U I D E B O O K

Be Well USCWellness Begins With U at SC!

USC’s mission is to create a culture where wellness and

health are valued and naturally incorporated into students’ lives.

All members of USC’s campus community are encouraged to Be

Well at USC. USC encourages students to stay healthy and Be

Well by maintaining a balance between academics and their social

life. Continuing to exercise, eating healthy, getting enough sleep,

maintaining healthy relationships, and getting involved in social

activities all add up to healthy and successful outcomes. Health

and wellness of college students increases their academic success!

bewell.usc.eduBe Well USC

Over the next two years, USC will invest more than $5 million in expanding recreation opportunities on campus.

The plan includes state-of-the-art weight room and cardio equipment upgrades in the Lyon Center, an innovative outdoor fitness area on Cromwell Field, more exercise rooms in residence halls, and walking trails lined with equipment all across campus.

And in 2017, students will have access to the highly anticipated, sprawling new 30,000-square-foot USC Village Recreation Center and its outdoor exercise fields.

But what fitness options do students have right now?

Ainsley Carry, vice provost for student affairs, urges them to challenge preconceptions about traditional spaces for recreation and exercise.

“We are inviting students to come with us, take the map of our campus and turn it into an innovative recreational space,” Carry says.

This is exactly what many USC students are already doing.

A VISION FOR FITNESS AT USC

Illustration by Joe Ciardiello

Be Well USCWellness Begins With U at SC!

USC’s mission is to create a culture where wellness and

health are valued and naturally incorporated into students’ lives.

All members of USC’s campus community are encouraged to Be

Well at USC. USC encourages students to stay healthy and Be

Well by maintaining a balance between academics and their social

life. Continuing to exercise, eating healthy, getting enough sleep,

maintaining healthy relationships, and getting involved in social

activities all add up to healthy and successful outcomes. Health

and wellness of college students increases their academic success!

bewell.usc.eduBe Well USC

Deep in the chemical laboratories of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Tiffany Truong is absorbed in understanding and replicating the stupefying complexity of nature.

Lithe and earnest among chemical reactors and microelectronics, the chemical engineering major makes it look easy. But the process requires levels of concentration that strain body and mind. She looks at the clock. It’s seven. She sheds her lab coat and jogs to Parking Structure B, where the music is pumping and more than 50 students clad in black have gathered.

They share a common goal: get together and get down with the music of the masters: Dr. Dre, NAS, Lauryn Hill, Puff Daddy, etc.

They are known as Chaotic 3, a multicultural hip-hop dance group that spun out of CASA (USC Chinese American Student Association). Here, they push the boundaries of dance to dizzying displays of synchronicity and self-expression.

Truong is excited: “We’re like a family. Dance is our escape and motivator.”

She loves that she has to shout to be heard over the music. The floor is literally shaking. It happens in two

blinks. She jumps into the mix, gliding past the envious stares of classmates, agile, self-assured, and so good. It’s hard to believe this is the same student pocketed inside a lab, running mathematical formulas.

Truong and Chaotic 3 are part of a university-wide movement led by students and administrators alike to re-imagine the campus as a playground for recreation and exercise.

FITNESS FACT:A 160 LB PERSON CAN BURN 457 CALORIES IN ONE HOUR OF FAST-

PACED OR AEROBIC DANCING.

MOVING OUT INTO THE CALIFORNIA SUNSHINE

THE CAMPUS IS YOUR PLAYGROUND

USC Marshall School of Business senior Eric Chan has turned his creative vision into reality. He and several classmates put together a formal proposal, designed the blueprints and even secured initial seed money to jumpstart the renovation of the outdoor fitness area on Cromwell Field, which opened Oct. 31, 2014.

Chan, who is as competitive as he is patient, brought together university administrators, fitness experts, contractors and investors in a student-led effort to transform the field into a cutting-edge outdoor recreational space.

“Coming from New York, I wanted to take full advantage of the year-round California sunshine. We don’t have to box ourselves in the cookie-cutter indoor routine. Why not work out outdoors?”

The new fitness area features customized pull-up rigs for rope climbs (Chan’s personal design), gymnastics and power racks adjustable to the heights of different athletes. There are plyometric boxes and rubber matting throughout. The site is perfect for bodyweight training, which is today’s top fitness trend according to the American College of Sport Medicine.

“We want to take what

we’ve done on Cromwell Field and replicate it at least four times around campus,” says Vice Provost Carry. “What’s unique here is the level of student initiative and involvement that reflect the inclusive values of USC. We are here to support our students in realizing their goals, participating on the decision-making committees and taking control of their own exercise.”

“We want to take pride in our fitness,” says USC

Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism student Darian Nourian, assistant director of wellness affairs for the Undergraduate Student Government.

Nourian, who has encyclopedic knowledge of all the jogging trails on and around campus, together with Tim Bessolo, assistant provost for student affairs, is spearheading the initiative to build Tommy’s Trail, a running path that will

join the campus to the new USC Village.

To complement the trail, USC Student Affairs will launch a mobile fitness app with an interactive map and fitness guides.

“We’re going to redefine the culture and perception of recreation and exercise,” Nourian says. “You can do it anywhere. As a result, we’ll see the emergence of a more active campus.”

Jason Kutch may be one of the hardest men to catch on campus. When the assistant professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy is not cycling his daughter to school, climbing a mountain, guiding a dissertation, teaching or writing about the existence of muscle synergies of neural origin, you can find him balancing on “The Slackline” — an outdoor recreational invention his department created for students and staff.

“The thing about exercise that we need to change in our thinking is that it can be purposeful, useful work,” Kutch says.

And its usefulness goes beyond just shedding pounds. Exercise has a big influence on body confidence, a major public health concern

in recent years. Lack of body confidence can discourage people from being active and impact personal relationships and achievements.

“When you’re exercising, you’re creating a mental model of your body. With every movement, your body creates an ‘efference copy’ of that command, improving the way your body works,” Kutch explains. This exposes a fundamental misconception about body confidence — it’s not about how you look, it’s about how you feel.

“The key to solid body confidence is to integrate exercise into the day,” Kutch advises. Whether that’s climbing stairs, cycling to class, walking The Slackline, dancing or joining an intramural sports team, “the purpose is fun! You’ll

REDEFINING CULTURE AND PERCEPTION

FITNESS FACT:

be getting the workout without even knowing it.”

His advice resonates with the “Be Well USC” campaign to create a culture where active habits are naturally incorporated to promote healthy living and wellbeing over weight loss and appearance.

Many students are joining the movement, and like Tiffany Truong and Eric Chan, they are creating their own recreation and fitness opportunities on campus and beyond.

EXERCISE MAKES YOU FEEL MORE ENERGIZED BECAUSE IT RELEASES

ENDORPHINS INTO THE BLOOD.

TEN MUST-TRY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS

1. OUTDOOR GYM AT CROMWELL FIELD

WHY TRY IT?Completely renovated outdoor fitness area featuring pull-up rig, plyometric boxes and padded floor, which is perfect for bodyweight training. Wide-open space and 300 days of sunshine provide amazing opportunities to hold outdoor fitness classes.

WHEN? Before 1 pm & after 5 pm daily

CONTACT: 213.740.5127 [email protected]

2. TRIATHLON

WHY TRY IT?Over 100 strong and growing, the team welcomes everyone interested in cycling, swimming and track. Proud winners of the Spirit Award at the 2013 USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships, out of more than 100 teams! In 2014, they placed in the top 30. The Trojan costumes are the best part of Nationals.

WHEN? Mon & Wed at 6:30 – 9 pm

WHERE? PED pool

CONTACT: [email protected]

3. CHAOTIC 3 DANCE WHY TRY IT?

USC’s premiere hip hop team has evolved into a renowned dance group that strives to foster the passion for dance. For new to veteran dancers alike, a true family unit. You may leave USC but you’ll never leave the Chaotic 3 family.

WHEN? Mon & Wed at 7 pm Sat at 1 pm

WHERE? Parking Structure B


4. YOGA WITH FISHER

WHY TRY IT?You’ll never look at art the same way again. Find infinite balance and inner serenity while surrounded by classic and contemporary artwork. Class size limited to 20 people, so arrive early. Namaste.

WHEN? Check website for specific dates/times.

WHERE? USC Fisher Museum of Art


F I N I S H

5. INTRAMURAL DODGEBALL

WHY TRY IT?Take it from Patches O’Houlihan (DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story) … “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” This is a sport that any Average Joe can master, but be warned; it gets ultra competitive. A regulation-sized dodgeball court is 60 feet long, forcing players to get a full aerobic workout, improving agility, balance and hand-eye coordination

WHEN? Thurs at 6 pm

WHERE? PED


Students participate in the free yoga series hosted at the USC Fisher Museum.

6. QUIDDITCH

WHY TRY IT?Because you’re part of the wizardly world of Harry Potter. They play hard and hit hard, but are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Good players develop a combination of athleticism, finesse and tactical sense as they choose one of four positions: chaser, beater, keeper or seeker. Be part of the magic!

WHEN? Sun at 5 – 7 pm Wed & Fri at 7 – 9 pm

WHERE? Brittingham Field and Marks Hall Lawn


7. ZUMBA CLASS

WHY TRY IT?It’s a must-try for those who want to lose stress and tone their bodies to infectious, fast-paced Latin beats. The mood-improving endorphins will keep you going through the week. No dance experience required — just keep moving! For $75 per semester, take as many of the 35 exercise classes a week as you want. Wake up with PiYo (Pilates & yoga), get SCycling in between classes, take a Muscle Conditioning study break, or end your day with high-energy Cardio Dance.

WHEN? Call for weekly schedules

WHERE? Lyon Center Exercise Room


8. DRAGON BOAT

WHY TRY IT?It’s ancient and it’s making a comeback. Similar to crew, this co-ed sport is comprised of a canoe-shaped boat. However, unlike crew there are two paddlers to a bench, each responsible for paddling on one side of the boat. So try that for teamwork. To represent the rich tradition and history of the sport in China, the boat is decorated with a dragon head and tail during races. Feeling brave?

WHEN AND WHERE? Thurs at 7 – 8 pm at Cromwell Field

Weekend rides to Long Beach at 9:30 am


9. OPEN REC PICK-UP BASKETBALL

WHY TRY IT?You’ll undertake multiple group projects as part of your education at USC. A pick-up game of basketball is an excellent icebreaker that positively builds your teamwork skills. You’ll also be burning off the food truck calories (an hour of basketball can burn over 700 calories). The indoor Lyon Center courts are open until midnight, so bring your team or come to be part of one.

WHEN? Daily at 6 am – midnight

WHERE? Lyon Center Gym


10. PING PONG POSSE

WHY TRY IT? Remember Forrest Gump? These guys are “up all night to get lucky.” More commonly referred to as “The Posse,” the club has a membership of more than 300 and is open to players of all skill levels. Participants range from first time players to a member of the 2012 US national team. Table tennis truly is the sport of a lifetime.

WHEN? Mon, Wed & Fri at 7 – 9 pm

WHERE? PED North Gym


CHECK OUT THE MAP FOR FITNESS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAPPENING ON AND AROUND CAMPUS

Many students enjoy the high-energy environment and cardio workout that Zumba provides by combining Latin and international music.

RECANDFITNESS.USC.EDU

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USC Recreation and Fitness Guidebook

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