March & April FRC Newsletter
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From the Director
Greetings FRC Membership/Community,
I wish to thank you all for support this past season while I served as Interim Director, with the amazing FRC team. While I was spread pretty thin it was a labor of love to be able to work more closely with the staff, students and members and to see again first hand all the amazing opportunities we provide at and via the FRC and Mainely Outdoors. In turn, each and every one of the FRC staff pitched in to keep operations and delivery of services moving forward. For example, we are just coming off of another high volume season of learn to ski (Snowcats) and swim instruction programs while maintaining the usual programs in group fitness and personal training as well as student programs during peak winter months. Our partnerships with Titcomb Mountain, the Red Cross and United Way have continued to strengthen. We’ve also experienced a surge of Silver Sneaker membership and are exploring the impact and opportunities to best serve that population. And we’ve refocused on all of our connections to fostering wellness via campus and/or community ventures.
At the same time we ran an extensive national search to fill the FRC Director position. The first week of April we enthusiastically welcomed Ben White on board. Ben brings with him a wealth of campus and community recreation experience. Right now he is busy getting to know us better and wrapping his head and arms around the scope of what we do. (If we can link to the PR for more information, that would be great – can we?). I know you’ll join us in welcoming Ben.
~Julie Davis, Director of Athletics and Fitness & Recreation
I am thrilled to be joining the UMF and Farmington community as the new Director of the Fitness & Recreation Center. As the newest member of the FRC team there is much to take in, but I am looking forward to the challenge of managing this diverse department. As a veteran of the campus recreation field, I can say with confidence that there is no school in the country of this size that provides the breadth of programs and serves the variety of patrons that the FRC does. Regardless of life-stage, physical ability, or recreational interest, there is truly something for everyone here, and I am excited beyond words to be a part this tremendous staff and program.
In addition to the wonderful work already being done here I also see opportunity for growth. Among my main objectives in this role are to develop an industry-leading wellness program for the campus community, to become leaders in student development, to foster partnerships with community groups, and to advocate for an improved facility.
The heart of any recreation program are the patrons, and it is my aim to engage with as many as possible as I settle into my role. I hope that those of you I don’t encounter while I’m about in the facility will feel free to pop into the office to say hello. It is for you – the students, faculty, staff, and community members – that these offerings are provided, and I’d like to connect with as many of you as possible as I begin to understand everything about the work done here at the FRC. I look forward to working with, serving, and getting to know you
~Ben
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, March 21 is Easter and the FRC is Closed
Thursday, May 9 the FRC closes 6 to 7:30pm for Graduation practice
Saturday, May 11 the FRC will close for Graduation
Sunday, May 12 the FRC starts Summer Hours
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This ACE article talks about three important forms of exercise and how each of them improves heart health. Comprehensive exercise programs should include the three types of exercise; aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and flexibility. Aerobic exercise can affect blood pressure in a positive way. It also reduces the risk of heart failure. Resistance exercise can reduce the risk of high cholesterol, improves body composition, and reduces the risk of heart failure, too. Yoga and other forms of mind-body exercise focus mostly on flexibility. This helps reduces stress and relaxes muscles. It also helps heart health by improving cardio-metabolic health.
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Raising awareness for the drowning pandemic.
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On
Wednesday, May 15 join us from 6-7:30pm at the FRC to recognize International Water Safety Day.
Through science based education and in water safety demonstrations, let us raise awareness on the drowning pandemic and help everyone be safe in, on and around the the water. More information to follow.
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Adult & Pediatric
First Aid/CPR/AED
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Full courses for those that thrive from face-to-face learning run 9am - 4pm on on the following dates:
- Sunday, April 28
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, June 1
For the self-guided learner, complete 2.5 hours of online work then meet for skill work on the dates listed below:
- Friday, April 19 2-4pm
- Tuesday, April 30 4-6pm
- Friday, May 28 4-6pm
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Improve Your Posture with These Isometric Exercises
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In this day and age, we spend a lot of time sitting for much of the day.
Sitting for so long, the body develops weakness in the hips and core, and tightness in the hip flexors and lower back muscles. Sitting for prolonged periods can also create a rounding in the shoulders and a weakness in the upper back muscles. Yes, stretching can be helpful, however there are some Isometric exercises that you can do to strengthen the weak muscles. To improve these and any posture deviations, both stretching and strengthening exercises should be done regularly two to three times each week.. These exercises can be done throughout the day or as active recovery in your own workout. They are also great for your warm up and cool down exercises.
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Should I Work My Core
Every Day?
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The short answer is, yes, and you do it without even being aware! Think about it, every time you move your core is a factor in that movement. You bend down, reach for something, pull something, push something, twist... you get the idea. But what muscles make up our core?
The core muscles include:
- Glute muscle groups
- Adductor muscle groups
- Lower back muscles - erector spinae and quadratus lumborum
- Muscles of the abdomen and hip flexors - the rectus abdominus, iliopsoas, and pelvic floor)
- Internal and External Obliques
- The transverse abdominis (commonly referred to as the TA or TVA)
There are five movements of the core:
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Spinal Flexion
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Lateral Flexion
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Spinal Extension
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Stability
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Rotation
When you involve these movements in your routine, you are automatically engaging your core muscles. These core muscles help you become more stable in your environment, provide structural integrity for the spine, and can significantly decrease risk of injury.
Need some new ideas for your core? Come to any one of our core classes to get some new and exciting exercises into your routine.
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9th Annual
Sandy River
Canoe Race
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Mainely Outdoors is happy to announce our 9th Annual Canoe/Kayak Race and Fun Paddle on the mighty Sandy River!
This year the race will be held on April 28th. Regi
stration opens at 11:30 AM at the Strong Legion Baseball Field by the intersection of Rt 4 and Rt 145. The race will end at the Fairbanks Bridge in Fairbanks at the baseball field on Pierpole Rd.
Race start time is 1:00PM
We have GONE GREEN! No more paper registration. All registrations are to be done via the online registration form.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Do not worry about pre paying, we will be taking payments the day of the race at registration. Cash or Check only please!
We look forward to seeing you on the river!
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This year we wish to challenge our student body by having the first ever James D. Toner Cup. This cup will be awarded to the 1st place all college student tandem mixed canoe teams. The only requirement is you are currently enrolled in college and that there are only two students in the canoe.
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UMF Fitness and Recreation Center
152 Quebec St. | Farmington, ME 04938
207.778.7495
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