Campus fitness center hosts Native American Fitness Council

First-time workshop at ASU promotes fitness, training skills

Jan. 8, 2008, PHOENIX — Arizona State University’s Diablo Performance and Recreation Center at the West campus recently hosted a group of 18 Native American fitness instructors from the Native American Fitness Council (NAFC) for a two-day workshop designed to teach participants how to train others in proper exercise and healthy lifestyles.

“We hosted this workshop because we believe it is important for the university to help when there is a need,” says Keith Munson, fitness center director. “If we can provide the necessary assistance that helps others get the training they need in order to enhance their community by leading people to a healthier lifestyle, while decreasing disease and health problems, then we have made a positive impact.

The 18 participants represented six different Arizona tribes: Gila River, Hopi, Navajo, San Carlos Apache, Mescalero Apache and Fort McDowell Yavapai-Apache. Also in attendance were fitness instructors from the Navajo-Kayenta Unified School District, Hopi-Second Mesa Day School and Navajo-Greasewood Community School.

“The NAFC’s goal is to help enhance an individual’s experience with our trainings to enable them to take our instruction to their communities,” says council Director Kylene Selestewa. “We want each individual to become not only a fitness leader within their communities, but to become advocates for health in order to improve their communities.”

The workshop was the first time the Diablo Performance and Recreation center was chosen as a NAFC site. Lessons and group fitness sessions were held in the center’s aerobics room.

“We hope to continue to work with the NAFC in the future and make our facilities available to them for workshops,” says Munson. “Their mission is an important one and we support their efforts.

“With the recent expansion of our center, and the expertise of our staff, we are perfectly positioned to offer more of these community-oriented services.”

From new cardio equipment to the addition of TV’s throughout the facility, and from expanded intramural sports to Health Exercise Science (HES) credit courses in pilates, yoga and fitness, the center sports a wide range of fitness and recreation options for ASU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their family members.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve our offerings, our services and our resources,” says Munson. “You can’t stand still, because everything related to your customer changes so quickly.

“You stay in shape keeping up.”

If improvements and growth constitute exercise, then Munson and his staff must be short on breath.

Located in the basement of the University Center Building (UCB) in the heart of the campus, the center features 6,000 square feet of space occupied by:

Fully equipped weight room. The weight room features an updated floor design to accommodate new Cybex strength machines;
Aerobics room. Focused on an “efficiency with more space” philosophy, new cardio equipment includes six Precor elliptical machines, six Precor treadmills, and six Precor stationary bikes;
Boxing station. New in 2007, the station has a speed bag and a heavy bag for ASU pugilists;
Body composition testing;
Men’s and women’s locker rooms;
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

The Diablo Fitness and Recreation Center is open seven days a week throughout the year, except on regular university holidays.

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