By PHILIP WINTERSTEIN, Staff Reporter.
In addition to classes such as Tae Kwon Do, fencing and other unique fitness activities, the Fitness Center includes a class that utilizes a very different instrument that can be used for a large variety of exercises. The class, named after its instrument, is called BOSU Ball Training.
The course, taught by Renee Hoppe, examines the many ways that the BOSU (Both Sides Up) ball can help build and/or improve agility, muscle strength, endurance and flexibility. The ball, invented by David Weck in 1999, is in the shape of a semicircle; it is essentially a stability ball cut in half.
“You can do anything on the BOSU Ball,” Hoppe said.
The BOSU Ball website lists off ways that it can be used and what it can help with such as: active aging, rehabilitation and sports performance. Hoppe said BOSU training can help rehabilitate an injured or elderly person, and is even used to train athletes for the Olympics.
Hoppe studied pre-med and human DNA before changing her degree and graduating with her master’s in Exercise Physiology at Central Michigan University. She also taught at CMU before moving to Delta College.
“I joined the fitness side of teaching because I wanted to be somewhere that carted about wellness of students,” she said. “I want to make a difference, and helping people learn that what they eat and do apply to their day-to-day emotions, psychology and health.”
Hoppe likes to “move,” she likes to be outside and perform a variety of athletic activities including playing on ice hockey teams. She enjoys including her two children in her physical activities.
Hoppe explained how the BOSU Ball is special and how it is different from other versions of workouts or other tools.
“[The BOSU Ball] increases balance and stability,” she said. “It provides options the stability ball can’t, and you can do a lot with it.”
These options do include some of the basic workouts such as pushups and situps as well as other core workouts.
Hoppe explained how Delta College is a great place for students and provides a number of options. She also said that Delta’s required fitness class, though it may not cause change, can introduce important health fundamentals into a student’s life.
“Delta values wellness,” she said. “The faculty here are a great team of people that care about the students, and we have a chance to improve the community. I don’t want to just teach, I want to make an impression on students that not only is lifelong wellness a great way to stay in shape, but it can also be fun.”
Students can register for the Winter semester’s BOSU Ball Training (LWA-154W) Course which will start on Mar. 12. For more information, contact Renee Hoppe at reneehoppe@delta.edu.
