Saint Mary's College is offering students the opportunity to keep their New Year's resolutions to get in shape with open conditioning classes.
The classes, held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Angela Athletic Facility, are open to all students.
"These classes are especially geared towards students that are interested in becoming better soccer and volleyball players, but are open to anyone interested in a solid conditioning program this semester," said Saint Mary's athletic director Julie Schroeder-Biek, in an e-mail sent to the student body on Sunday.
Due to Div. III restrictions, athletes cannot be required to practice year round. These sessions give athletes the opportunity to stay in shape during the off season. The class was held in the fall and many of Saint Mary's basketball players took advantage, strength and conditioning coach Matt Young said. However, all students are welcome to come to the class.
"Our goal is to make the athletes more athletic," Young said.
The classes focus on a wide variety of exercises including balance, vertical power and speed.
"The classes will contain drills to increase range of motion of muscles and the joints, challenge the proprioception and balance, and incorporate movements that will help reduce the chance of knee injuries," Schroeder-Biek said.
The coaches for the sports that are featured in the classes will also be in attendance at some of the sessions.
"This is a great opportunity for athletes to come work with coaches," Young said. "The classes started on Monday and the turnout is looking good.
Young said they expect around 25 girls to participate in these sessions.
Dale Henry, a senior and participant in the class, said she enjoys the guidance she receives.
"I'm the type of person where I need someone to tell me what to do and when to do it to stay motivated," Henry said.
Many of the Saint Mary's soccer team members were in attendance at Wednesday's class and said they appreciate the opportunity to stay conditioned in the off-season.
"We prepare for our season and we work on specifics that will help prevent injuries," Mickey Hedinger, a junior soccer player, said.
One of the goals is to make the athletes quicker and more explosive by the end of the semester, Young said.
"I would love to encourage all athletes to come and participate from all sports," he said.
Classes run from 6 p.m. to 7:15 on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 4 p.m. to 5:15 on Fridays.
