Starting Sept. 8,  students, faculty and staff are being challenged by the NKU Wellness Center and Campus Recreation Center to participate in the 30 for 30 Challenge.

Participants in the program will be challenged to do 30 minutes of physical activity every day for 30 days. You can choose when, where and how you remain active and you can choose from multiple activities at the rec center or even ideas for at home, like gardening.

Rachel Bishop, student wellness manager, said there are several types of wellness she promotes.

“One of our frequently asked questions is do you have to get the physical activity on campus, and you don’t,” she said. “Campus Rec is fully functional, but we are also, during the renovation and good weather, promoting walking, being outdoors and learning about the city. There’s lots of outdoor assets here in the Cincinnati area.”

According to Angela Aber, coordinator of fitness for Campus Rec, all facilities except for the track are open to students, staff and faculty for use, even with the current construction.

Kim Baker, the employee wellness manager, said that they planned the dates of the challenge during nicer weather so that participants would have the option to walk outside while the track in the Rec center is closed.

Participants that register for the program will be emailed a tracking form to log their times of physical activity, which will be turned in on a weekly basis.

“Everybody that registers will be getting emails every week filled with a ton of information on physical activity, the benefits, different research, videos, and they will have a link to submit how many days they participated,  and how many minutes each day they got every week-all online,” Baker said.

Although participants cannot register or submit points as a team, it is encouraged to pair up with someone or multiple people while doing the challenge.

“We want people to get creative and involve others because movement is always more fun with a friend cheering you on,” Bishop said.

Students have until Sept. 8 to register online for the challenge or they can register at the Registration Celebration on Sept. 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the Student Union Plaza.

“Ask people to register,” Baker said. “Let’s come together, let’s do this together, let’s get the campus healthier and happier.”

Aber said that people worry about how much of a commitment it is, but ultimately it’s really easy to do.

“I think it’s literally two percent of your day when you do the math,” Bree Singer, a wellness specialist said. “When you sit down and think about it like that, it’s literally nothing.”

Carmelina Lucas, a student wellness ambassador, encouraged students to participate in the challenge and come together as a campus.

“With the new class coming in I think it’s a great time to do it. Meet the new freshman, and make some new friends,” Lucas said.