Fitness Buddies Build Connections and Promote Fitness at Stephen F. Austin State University

The new Fitness Buddies program helps students overcome isolation, build community and explore fitness together.

Ccampus entertainment in the post-COVID-19 pandemic world has had to change to accommodate students dealing with the effects of self-isolation. Another unique way that Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State Campus Recreation combats isolation is through the Fitness Buddies program.

Fitness Buddies Career

By connecting students with fitness-minded peers, Fitness Buddies encourages community in a non-intimidating environment. The program provides the motivation needed to explore the campus recreation center and engage with its offerings, making exercise accessible and enjoyable for all.

“Its goal is to bring students together to encourage socialization and exercise,” said Jescelyn Madrigal, assistant director of Fitness and Wellness. “Our mission is to combat isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing students together to be physically active and connected.”

Therefore, Fitness Buddies is not limited to people who are new to exercise. Rather, the program is designed to help build connections for students of all skill levels. Students can be confident in their gym but unable to connect with the rec department. The program is designed to make exercise less intimidating while simultaneously opening up the link to the learning center for all students.

“The focus is on providing coordination within the rec department,” said Mackenzie Suggs, director of SFA Fitness and Wellness. “Regardless of skill level, students want to find a sense of belonging that provides guidance and encouragement.”

Encouragement to Explore

By allowing students to explore what the university has to offer, Fitness Buddies benefits the rec department because it serves as a gateway to other Campus Rec programs.

“We teach student volunteers to have all the tools to provide personalized guidance,” Madrigal said. “This prompts students to check out our paid programs such as personal training or massage training.”

Instead of being limited to the four walls of a gym, Fitness Buddies offers an opportunity to explore their community. Participants and their friends can explore a variety of activities, including group exercise classes, outdoor walks, rock climbing and swimming. Adapting to individual preferences creates an empowering experience that encourages students to create their own personal fitness journey.

Voluntary-Intermediate Program

The benefits of this program also extend to volunteers. Most of the students who contact Fitness Buddies are looking to get into fitness or exercise activities. This program helps teach these students the skills needed for these fields.

“Fitness Buddies helps our volunteers build friendships, connect with individual students and gain leadership skills before entering their careers,” said Suggs.

After staff training, Suggs matches volunteers with students and their first meeting is a test to see if they’re a good fit. If students work well together, they collectively decide how to move forward to create a personalized and supportive experience. Volunteers make each engagement a unique experience for both parties.

Guiding Rather than Teaching

However, one of the main challenges the program faces is that student volunteers are not authorized to provide individual level guidance. Therefore, volunteers cannot give clear instructions, but they can give encouragement.

“We’re trying to teach students how to have a persuasive conversation,” explains Suggs. “An example would be a volunteer telling a participant that they are going to do 10 reps. If the participant wants to do 10 reps, they can too. If they want to do more or less, that’s their choice, but a volunteer will be there to support them.”

Knowing what your university’s restrictions are is key to ensuring a successful program. Training volunteers and staff across the program is critical to successful implementation in the Rec Department.

Broad Impact

For universities considering similar programs, Madrigal and Suggs emphasized the importance of collaboration. The program was adopted from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, where it began as a research project led by Jessica Kirby, assistant professor of Life Sciences. With his guidance and resources, the SFA State Campus Recreation team changed this concept. Sharing resources and experiences opens the door for rec departments to create tailored interventions that fit their unique student communities.

“Other universities have contacted us to start their own programs,” Madrigal said. pursuing and adopting a collaborative approach is critical to the success of the program.”

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