Monninger Pumps Up Faculty, Staff

Author: Liz Lathey

As the weather gets warmer, the number of Middlebury students who are working out becomes more apparent. Whether it's going for a run or bike or working out in the Fitness Center, students are definitely in shape.

When one considers the fitness of the college, however, one usually forgets about the other occupants of the campus: its faculty and staff. In the past, it seems that they have been overlooked in terms of health and wellness.

This year, however, Steve Monninger '98, Fitness Center director as well as football and lacrosse coach, has decided to change that.

A few weeks ago, Monninger sent out an e-mail to all faculty and staff encouraging them to take part in exercise clinics that he planned to direct. He noted that as well as helping train the football and lacrosse teams, he has also worked in strength training with other teams.

He said that because nothing was ever offered before for faculty and staff, the response to his program was very positive. He estimated that about 60 people responded to the e-mail while 20 or 30 actually attended the two-day clinic, held at 7 a.m. The clinic was free, an added benefit to the obvious advantage of getting in shape.

Monninger said he had noticed that not many faculty and staff seemed to be taking advantage of the state of the art Fitness Center. Although students are there at all hours of the day, faculty and staff usage has been limited perhaps, as he points out, due to lack of acquaintance with the building as well as the equipment.

He said he hoped that his clinic would familiarize faculty and staff with the Fitness Center enough to use it on their own time.

On the first day of the session, Monninger concentrated on strength training. He started out with an explanation of the goals of resistance training, as well as the details of training efficiency, frequency, variability, recovery time and gender and age-related issues.

He then explained basic terms to the participants and showed them a program design for a full body workout.

After the introduction, faculty and staff tried out the Nautilus equipment and free weights, depending on the workout they were looking for.

On day two, the clinic focused on aerobic training. He introduced the session in the same way as the strength training class, with the goals and general information about the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Faculty and staff were instructed to figure out their target heart rate before aerobics began.

Monninger noted that the Human Resources department has been encouraging staff and faculty wellness lately.

This push has been very positive in terms of programs offered for faculty and staff. As the Fitness Center director, Monninger felt a need to offer a good course in which faculty and staff would be able to take part.

In addition to an introduction to the equipment in the Fitness Center, participants were also given a checklist that asked questions about physical work, rest and recovery as well as a description of a good repetition for workouts.

Monninger said the response to the program was entirely positive, as faculty and staff seemed eager to learn why students seem to flock to the athletic complex after classes every day.

He said he hopes to give more clinics next year, perhaps with even more people helping him out with the teaching. Monninger is a Middlebury College graduate with a National Strength and Conditioning Association qualification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach.

The next clinic he directs will take place in May, in the same two-day format as the previous one. Hopefully, with more help and more interest, Monninger expressed hope that will be able to run similar, even more successful clinics again next year.