Southeast graduate appointed to staff position

Southeast Missouri State University recently appointed Sara Wagganer as the new fitness and wellness assistant director of Recreation Services. The position was vacant last semester.

Wagganer's role for Recreation Services includes overseeing and planning a variety of programs that many Southeast faculty and students take part in every semester, some of which include group fitness classes, personal training, instructional training for those that lead the fitness programs and the "stress buster week" before finals every semester.

Wagganer said that she has had a very long fitness background and is familiar with the university. Wagganer graduated from Southeast with a bachelor's degree in health management and a master's degree in nutrition and exercise science. She is a certified health and fitness specialist with the American College of Sports Medicine, as well as a certified Pilates instructor through the Pilates Method Alliance. Wagganer worked as a fitness director at a country club for the past eight years and worked in several other small recreation centers before that.

"I'm very excited to be back," Wagganer said.

Although Wagganer is just starting the third week of her new role, she has many big plans for the fitness and wellness program for the spring semester as well as future semesters.

"First, what needs to be done is update everything as much as possible, especially replacing the fitness machines," Wagganer said. "I also would like to update some of the current programs that are already going on, such as the incentive point system offered for faculty and staff. I hope to make it motivating for them to be a part of some really great fitness programs that they and their families can take."

Other current incentive programs that are more student and community based, such as "Shape-Up Southeast" and "Move It and Lose It," are on Wagganer's list to get more involvement in order to share the enjoyment and benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Wagganer also plans to introduce a new program that many other recreational centers across the country have been taking part in for years called TRX suspension training. TRX suspension training was designed by a Navy Seal to work every muscle of the body by using gravity and flexible suspension bands. Many military branches as well as professional athletes use TRX to build muscle and improve balance, flexibility, coordination and joint stability. Many common exercises, including squats and planks, can be done through the suspension training, making it practical for all fitness levels.

Another big change Wagganer sees in the future of Recreation Services is to do some remodeling to make an area for a smaller, private workout room.

"I feel like there needs to be a small fitness area that is less intimidating than what the downstairs equipment room is. Not everyone feels comfortable trying to work out in front of a crowd of people, so this will offer a very easy-going environment."

To accomplish this, Wagganer has plans to remove one racquet ball room and transform it into the "soft fitness" room. The room will not be as big as the current equipment room but will still accommodate those that want to use a variety of fitness machines and dumbbells.

"This is something that is definitely on the top of my priority list to get going once we have a budget for it," Wagganer said.

Wagganer plans to accomplish these goals one step at a time and hopes that Southeast students, faculty and the community will enjoy them.