For students in need of relaxation or fitness guidance, OU
Recreational Services will resume services of massage therapy and
personal fitness training at Huston Huffman Center beginning after
Labor Day.

“It’s a great idea to have more options
available,” said Katie Kyle, finance and international
business junior. “I think freshmen will use it more because
the equipment might be new to them and they’ll want to know
what they’re doing.”

In the past, the center offered personal training and massage
therapy, but both services stopped—personal training because
of lack of interest and massages because of recent renovations,
said Khari Huff, Recreational Services facility and aerobic
coordinator.

“With new renovations, we have more room to provide these
[services],” Huff said. “Now that we have more space,
we should and we can.”

In order to book a massage, students and faculty will need to
pay in person for an appointment at least 72 hours in advance, said
Kerry McKeown, senior assistant director of Recreational
Services.

The prices for an hour-long massage are $43.20 for students,
$48.60 for faculty and $64.80 for non-members.

Students have shown interest in the new massage therapy service
and many agree it will be nice to have access to it when school
becomes more stressful.

“I think it’s a really good idea, and a lot of
students will use it around mid-terms,” says Frances McCaleb,
music graduate student. “I’ve never thought about
having it at a university campus. It’ll be interesting to see
how many people use it.”

Naomi Inoue said she agrees it will be handy to have massages
available on campus.

“The number of chances to get a massage is increasing
because of all the stress,” said Inoue, communications and
social work senior. “When I visit my mother and father [in
Japan], they rub my shoulders for me, so it will be nice to have
that here.”

The personal fitness training sessions offer a way for students
to become familiar with the work-out facilities, as well as create
and achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Personal training will start Tuesday, and sessions cost $25
each. Students can sign up at least 24 hours in advance at the
front desk in the center, and a trainer will set up a time to meet
with them for a personal assessment.

The assessment will test cardiovascular endurance skills, blood
pressure, heart rate and flexibility. It will also measure body fat
and girth, she said. After the assessment, the trainer will create
an exercise plan for the trainee and together they can decide how
many times to meet in the future.

One concern some students have is the prices of the
services.

“I think the price may be a little expensive for a
student, but I’m definitely up for it from time to
time,” said Christy Kenkel, undecided junior.

“As a college student, I personally couldn’t spend
the money because I go [to Huffman] so sporadically,” said
David Dale, energy management junior. “But for students who
want to and don’t know what they’re doing, I think
it’s a great idea.”
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