SRU’s Fitness and Wellness Club has existed in its current form for over a year, exploring different aspects of physical and mental wellness.
Meetings typically feature guest speakers and motivational videos.
The club focused on bodybuilding and fitness for 20 years, until membership fell off in early 2021. Dylan Loeffler, an exercise science major, and Brian Mortimer, the director of campus recreation, rebuilt the club from the ground up. Since then, they have grown from zero members to 120.
Loeffler, the current president, is a junior in the pre-physical therapy program. He joined the club as a freshman to learn more about fitness.
“We found that people were deterred from the club because of the negative connotation that can sometimes be associated with bodybuilding,” Loeffler said. “We do have a heavy influence on nutrition, exercise, sleep [and] hydration, but we talk a lot about mindset and mental health as well.”
Many of their meetings involve a guest speaker who has expertise in health and fitness. Otherwise, Loeffler describes the meetings as “all over the place.” They might be playing sports one week and then celebrating Bulk-Festival, where members come together and eat junk food, the following week.
“Sometimes you need a little bit of a break from the constant monotony of eating healthfully,” Loeffler said. “[The club is about] getting active, eating food and enjoying time together.
“Kind of having a break and a release from the stress that is school and daily life.”
For many years, a bodybuilding show called “Mr. and Mrs. SRU” was held on campus, hosted by the former Bodybuilding and Fitness Club. This year, Fitness and Wellness Club is putting on a fitness showcase.
Seventeen SRU students have shared their fitness journeys through video interviews. On April 28, they will hold a movie night to watch the interviews and learn from the experiences of others.
Since he joined, Loeffler has seen improvements in himself and other members. He is grateful for the opportunity to take on a leadership role at a young age.
“Seeing people’s lives changed from this club is the biggest blessing,” Loeffler said. “It’s the best feeling, it’s what we all do it for.”
Students interested in joining Fitness and Wellness Club can email dml1023@sru.edu or visit their CORE page.
