How Rec Center Work Fuels Body Positivity, Confidence

Olivia Phillips is a graduate assistant for Group Exercise and Fitness at James Madison University
Olivia Phillips is a graduate assistant for Group Exercise and Fitness at James Madison University

My involvement in campus recreation has not been as straight and narrow as others, but I am grateful for every experience I have had within the field because it led me to where I am now — a graduate assistant for Group Exercise and Fitness at James Madison University.

When I first arrived on my undergraduate campus, the University of Georgia, one of the only places on campus I felt comfortable was the rec center. I was away from my family and friends, and away from everything I was comfortable with. I was not happy. However, I found comfort and familiarity at the rec center because I knew exactly what to do there. My workout routine was the only routine I was able to transfer over from home. I quickly found out that my niche was group exercise. I was a front row diva in my BodyPump classes. By the end of my first semester, I knew all the moves, the exact rep count for them, and I loaded up my bar with as much weight as possible for class — even for the hardest of all tracks: lunge tracks.

Log in to view the full article
Page 1 of 89
Next Page
Buyer's Guide
Information on more than 3,000 companies, sorted by category. Listings are updated daily.
Learn More
Buyer's Guide
AB Show 2025 in San Diego
AB Show is a solution-focused event for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals.
Nov. 5-8, 2025
Learn More
AB Show 2025