Leggings, scrunch socks and big hair are, like, totally in at the Campus Recreation Center in March and April.

Activity rooms at the Rec will be decorated 1980s style for the ‘80s Flashback Fitness Challenge. Participants in the challenge can earn one item of ‘80s style clothing after completing each fitness class. The challenge, free and open to all, started Monday and ends April 23.

“The challenge has a ‘80s shopping theme, so for each class you complete, you get an item of clothing to put on a paper doll,” said Bethany Bohlig, a fitness graduate assistant at Recreation Services and an exercise physiology graduate student. “The dolls are going to be posted up in the Rec so everyone can see each others’ progress as their doll gets dressed up.”

After participants complete a class, they receive an item of clothing from the instructor. Participants can complete the classes in any order they choose.

Anyone who completes the challenge by attending all the required classes will be entered into a raffle and will have a chance to win prizes, Bohlig said. Prizes include a fall 2007 unlimited group fitness class pass, a fall 2007 15-group fitness class pass, a 30-minute massage gift certificate and NIU gear, such as bags, T-shirts and other items.

To claim raffle prizes, participants must be in attendance at the ‘80s Flashback Fitness Class from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, or contact Bohlig if a scheduling conflict occurs. All regularly scheduled fitness classes after 6 p.m. will be cancelled on April 24.

“We will be doing some ‘80s aerobics to ‘80s music,” Bohlig said. “Everyone is encouraged to wear their best ‘80s clothes.”

Recreation Services has offered a variety of challenge-themed programs in recent years, including the tour de France (spinning), a Fitness Monopoly challenge, a cross training challenge and a Reach the Beach challenge, said Becky Lewis, assistant director of fitness at Recreation Services.

“It’s truly meant to encourage those with passes to keep coming after Spring Break and to challenge them to try other classes on our schedule that they might not normally take,” Lewis said. “It’s also to help people get in shape in a fun way.”

For those who do not yet have a fitness pass, Recreation Services recommends purchasing a 15-class pass for the remainder of the semester, or a daily pass, Lewis said.

Friday is the last day to register for the ‘80s Flashback Fitness Challenge. For a fitness class schedule, go to www.rs.niu.edu. For more information, contact Bethany Bohlig at 815-753-9427, or by e-mail at [email protected].