The top New Year’s resolutions for 2023 are all about living healthier, like exercising more and losing weight. Those on campus can tackle those resolutions at Oakland University Recreation and Well-Being.

OU Rec Well has opportunities lined up all semester for students, faculty, staff and the community to engage in physical and mental well-being. All programs and sports mentioned below can be found at myrecwell.oakland.edu or through the app.

Rec Well Sports

Whether it be for a league or a one day tournament, Rec Well Sports has new and returning events for students of OU. The first one night event will be an NBA 2K Xbox tournament on Jan. 18, with League of Legends and Overwatch being later in the semester.

As for leagues, the semester kicks off with fan favorites 5 vs. 5 basketball and 5 vs. 5 indoor soccer. The registration deadline is Jan. 26 at midnight, and basketball already has some spots taken.

“In March, we will go back outside and bring a new team sport to the lineup in 4 vs. 4 flag football and 4 vs. 4 indoor floor hockey, both utilizing smaller spaces and fields while still bringing you classic sports that participants have come to enjoy,” Kyle Reece, sports and recreation program coordinator, said.

New events coming to OU include; 3 vs. 3 extreme dodgeball, which will be in the racquetball court, soccer tennis, a pickleball tournament and a cornhole tournament.

All dates and times for the events can be found on the registration page of the website. For more information about how to register, there is an article explaining the whole process.

Fitness

For those who want to stay active but may not want to join a team, there are Group X opportunities all winter, with classes ranging from cycling to slow flow yoga. Dates and times can all be found on the program page.

In January, Rec Well will be offering Group X Happy Hour days, where any non-member 18 or older can come in with their ID and gain access to all Group X classes in a certain day. The Happy Hour dates include Jan. 13, 18, 20, 24, 26 and the 30.

One upcoming program is the Be My Yoga Valentine, which takes place on Feb. 15 and will be part of the annual Love Well week from Feb. 13 through the 17.

If you are just getting started or you want a helping hand while you work out, Rec Well is accepting personal training client applications. Personal training can be solo, with a buddy or in a group.

For any questions regarding personal training, Group X or fitness programs, email Hailey Monroe, fitness programs and services coordinator, at [email protected]. 

Well-Being

Student well-being at Rec Well comes in multiple forms like bright light therapy, wellness coaching, the Green Bandana Project and pet therapy. Throughout the semester, there will be plenty of opportunities for pet therapy with the closest one being Jan. 19 at noon in the Habitat.

To view upcoming programs like the Wellness Winter Wonderland — which takes place on Feb. 21 — students can go to the program page on the website. To submit requests for a program or to learn more, students can email Cortney Heileman, assistant director fitness and well-being, at [email protected]. 

Students are not the only ones who can take advantage of well-being opportunities, as Caitlyn Hennings, wellness and educational outreach coordinator, helps create programs for employees as well. 

Some new programs this semester are the OU Employee Book Club, Priority Health Goal Setting workshop and the Understanding the Risk of Pancreatic Cancer workshop.

“Our Employee Book Club will allow colleagues to come together and connect over similar interests,” Hennings said. “Our Priority Health workshop will allow people to gain points toward qualifying for their insurance.”

Returning programs are the Couch to 5k, Gratitude grams and the Employee Ergonomic program. Email [email protected] for any questions regarding employee well-being.