NIU students, faculty and staff, it’s time to get fit!

Timex Fitness Week, sponsored by Reebok, Ocean Spray and the Office of Campus Recreation, begins Wednesday, Oct. 21 and focuses on the fun in fitness, said OCR coordinator Fabian DeRozario.

The first event is the eight-day Residence Halls Outrageous Olympics, he said.

Starting today, the program promotes physical fitness and encourages competition between residents, floors and halls, he said.

The main goal is to accumulate the most workout hours, DeRozario said. Participants must log in the number of hours and report the activity to the weight-training supervisor on duty.

Workout activities only include the weight room and hydra-fitness machines, aerobics, running, walking, exercise bikes, Stair Master, Nordic Track and rowing machines, he said.

Participants who work out for at least seven hours at the rec center receive a recognition certificate from Reebok, DeRozario said.

Winners will be awarded on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Outrageous Olympics ceremony. He said he encourages all participants to come.

The most “outrageously” fit person will receive a recognition certificate and be entered in the drawing to win Timex Watches, Reebok shoes and other prizes, he said.

The fittest floor in each hall will receive a framed recognition certificate, DeRozario said. The overall floor winner also will be featured in an OCR display case.

Also, the fittest hall at NIU will receive a plaque, DeRozario said.

“It’s a great opportunity for residents to get involved with the recreational activities offered at NIU,” said Grant South resident assistant Carolyn Maslanka.

There are also many other opportunities for students to get into shape.

Two weight training sessions will be offered by the rec center on Monday, Oct. 21, he said.

Introduction to weight training is for beginners and will be from 4 to 5 p.m., DeRozario said. The second session is for weight trainers who are beyond the basics and will be from 5 to 6 p.m..

Anyone interested in easy dance-oriented steps can attend the funk aerobics session on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 4:45 p.m., he said.

The rec center will offer testing for aerobic power, blood pressure and body fat from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, DeRozario said.

The world’s largest aerobics class will be offered by the rec center on Thursday at 7 p.m., he said. Four hundred participants get a free Ocean Spray juice drink and are eligible for drawings.

“It’s important for people to take the time to work out,” DeRozario said. He also said he encourages people to make a lifetime commitment to fitness.