By Margaret Teague
Contributing Writer

The dreaded Freshman 15, slight beer bellies, and lack of self-control when it comes to that Edy’s Ice Cream served at Bartol… None of these are detrimental, but they can all be avoided with a little participation in Fit@Simmons.
Every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Holmes Sports Center is a different, free fitness-based activity. That’s right, it’s all free.
October’s activities include Kickboxing, Aqua Aerobics, Turbo Kick, a 30-minute rowing workout, and an intriguing “Scientific 7-Minute Workout.”
The Yoga Club also meets every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. in the Dance Studio.
The Bike Club gathers about once a month for bike rides and even has special events like a flat tire changing clinic.
Through Fit@Simmons, special events happen periodically throughout the year. In Oct. Simmons will organize a team for the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk, which will take place this spring.
The Simmons College 80s Run, a 5K walk or run, will also be held again this year.
Last year’s 80s Run was a great way to get the Simmons community out and running. The theme made it a fun, athletic event instead of just a 3-mile run. The person with the best costume won a prize, and there was also a raffle which allowed others to win prizes.
“I won a movie basket with a popcorn maker and two movie tickets,” said Simmons student Spenser Bowers.
Fit@Simmons is part of the Health Education Department.
Melissa Tanguay is the Fit@Simmons student leader. The program also includes Alexandra Hill, a Fit@Simmons student assistant, Khaladie Darcy, the Fit@Simmons Yoga Club leader, and Laini Cassis and Hannah Russel, the Fit@Simmons Bike Club leaders.
“I’m really excited about the Bike Club at Simmons. Hannah, Melissa, and myself all bring unique cycling experience. We garnered a lot of interest for the annual Hub on Wheels ride, which is a good indicator that upcoming rides will be well-attended and a lot of fun.
“We’re looking into rides that will ease Simmons students into riding in a city environment and sharing the road with car traffic, while also exploring nearby parks,” said Cassis.
Instructors are mostly students. When students are not instructing class professors and LEAP instructors have taught.
“We try to have the instructors be students as often as possible, so we’d love to hear from anyone who has a fitness-based class they like to teach,” said Melissa Tanguay.
“It’s really positive that they offer those opportunities to students who are interested. Absolutely I’d participate, it’s good to take advantage of the free classes,” said senior Kathryn Collier.
Fit@Simmons started in the spring of 2012 after Simmons College received a generous donation of $350,000 from ’58 alum Nancy Gavrin. Gavrin wanted the money to go toward a peer health education program, and in less than one year, Simmons has done just that.
As Fit@Simmons is just a few months short of its one-year anniversary, and with its large variety of classes and unique student instructors, the program is off to a promising start.
Make sure to go online to get the full Fit@Simmons schedule. If you are curious about the program or have any interest in teaching a class, contact Melissa Tanguay.
Come down to the Holmes Sports Center and try Fit@Simmons.