University Recreation Revamps Its Small Group Training Program

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Small group participants

Being more active and getting in shape are goals for many people, but how exactly does someone accomplish this? University Recreation's Small Group Training Program has several newly formatted sections to select from that can be modified for any fitness level. These new programs are all lead by certified personal trainers and use fitness equipment that has recently been featured in Men's and Women's Health and Men's and Women's Fitness magazines.

The newest addition to the UREC small group training is the ViPR. ViPR is one of the newest pieces of equipment to hit the fitness industry and provides one of the most functional full body workouts. The ViPR can be programmed into any fitness program specializing in mobility, functionality, muscular strength and endurance, and sport specific training.  With over 9,000 exercises ViPR allows for the body to be trained as a whole and designed to function in all three planes of motion. It is mobile and versatile and can be used indoors and outdoors. Rachel Buschert, from Equinox Fitness says, “I look at it like a body bar, treadmill, Kettlebell, and medicine ball put together in one beautiful rubber tube that, with some creativity and hard work, can transform your body.”

University Recreation has also added Total Gym Zero Gravity trainers to its small group training program. The Total Gym began as a rehabilitation piece of equipment for those who were injured, or suffered from back and joint problems.  Its gliding board motion and cable pulleys make it capable of performing over 1,000 different exercises. The Total Gym can be adapted for any fitness level.

University Recreation also offers the following Small Group Training Programs:

• CardioConditioning
• Advanced Team Training
• Private Small Group Training.

The CardioConditioning format is an aerobic workout utilizing recumbent and upright bikes, ellipticals, treadmills or the terrain or (of) the outdoors. This section is designed to hold individuals accountable for completing their cardiovascular workout. The Advanced Team Training section is similar to the “Boot Camp” style classes offered at gyms around the country. Advanced Team Training is designed to work your entire body performing circuits, agility drills, and functional strength movements that will remind you of sports team workouts.

Private Small Group Training sessions allows for an individual group of three to six people to pick the specific type of workout you want to execute, while receiving the individualized attention from a personal trainer.


According to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the general recommendation for all adults is to accumulate 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.  The general recommendation for muscular strength and endurance includes training each of the six major muscles group twice a week at a moderate intensity. The benefits of meeting the required amounts of physical activity include: increased muscle strength and endurance, balance, agility, bone density, improved cholesterol, digestion, blood pressure, flexibility, and energy level.

To view a list of all small group training offerings, click here. 

Register for these classes at the HPER or UREC Fitness Center in the Union. For additional information or questions about University Recreation Fitness/Wellness programs, contact Jessica Graham at 479-575-6080 or jlg027@uark.edu.