Not everyone can say they love the idea of jogging a couple miles or completing a set of squats, but fortunately ISU students have alternate options when it comes to staying active.

While the Lied Recreation Athletic Center is home to a variety of traditional physical activities such as basketball, weightlifting and racquetball, it also caters to the nontraditional in the form of sports clubs.

Garry Greenlee, associate director of recreation services, said during the fall 2006 semester, 13,157 students used Lied in more than 190,000 visits.

Although a majority of these visits are attributed to the usual services Lied offers, there are a small portion of students who participate in nontraditional activities such as rowing, fencing and climbing through sports clubs. Suprisingly, many of these clubs do not even require new members to purchase equipment prior to participating and welcome students of all experience levels.

Whether a person considers themselves athletic or not, there is a form of physical activity available to suit each individual interest.

To make things easier, FYI found unique clubs that will pique the interest of the active and nonactive student alike. For more information on the clubs featured and many others, check out Lied’s Web site at www.recservices.iastate.edu/lied/.

Climbing

Club name: ISU Mountaineering and Climbing Club

Cost: $25 per semester

Meetings: 8 p.m. Mondays

Time commitment: Average 3 hours/week, yet flexible per individual

Most important beginning gear: Climbing shoes, helmet: $115+

Prior experience: Not necessary

Physical condition requirements: None

How many people in club: Approximately 40

Club president: Ryan McNair

Contact: Web site

Insight: Ryan McNair, senior in management information systems, said his first exposure to climbing was in Mt. Pleasant during high school. The Army National Guard brought a repelling wall to his school and ever since he has been hooked.

McNair said climbing is a sport that is strenuous for a short amount of time.

He said climbing is not based on endurance as much as running is. The length of climb is tailored to each individual person’s experience level and comfort.

“It’s not something you can’t do, you just have to work at it to get it,” McNair said in regards to building up to more strenuous climbs.

McNair said climbing is available at both Lied Recreation Athletic Center and at Walnut Creek Climbing Gym for a small fee.

“The club is a great way to get started because all you need is climbing shoes and the club has the rest of the gear,” McNair said.

Rowing

Club name: ISU Crew Club

Cost: $75 per semester plus $18 for a team jersey

Meetings: 7 p.m. Tuesdays

Time commitment: Average 10 to 15 hours/week, yet flexible per individual

Most important beginning gear: None, all provided by club

Prior experience: Not necessary

Physical condition requirements: Need to know how to swim

How many people in club: Approximately 36

Club president: Jessica Lambert

Contact: [email protected]

Web site

Insight: Rowing for the ISU Crew Club was sort of a fluke for Jessica Lambert, senior in mathematics. Lambert said she was approached during her freshman year by a team member who asked her to join.

Lambert, who had no prior experience in the sport, said the only requirement is that members know how to swim. New members are required to pass a swimming test. If a new member is unable to pass the swimming test, swimming lessons are offered.

Crew Club, Lambert said, also helps with time management skills. The team is split into smaller team sections for mandatory study groups and workout groups.

Practices are sometimes held at 6 a.m. and water practices require additional driving time. “Crew does take some personal dedication,” Lambert said, “it is something new to try and that is what college is . trying new things.”

Fencing

Club Name: ISU Fencing Club

Cost: $15 per semester

Meetings: 8 to 10 p.m. Monday and 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday

Time commitment: Average 5 hours/week, yet flexible per individual

Most important beginning gear: Weapon, glove, jacket and mask: $100+

Prior experience: Not necessary

Physical condition requirements: None

How many people in club: Approximately 15

Club president: Colin McChesney

Contact: [email protected]

Web site

Insight: Colin McChesney, sophomore in mechanical engineering, began fencing after his sixth-grade teacher demonstrated the sport in class. McChesney has remained involved while in school through the ISU Fencing Club and local tournaments.

McChesney said fencing is a good choice of activity since it is unique.

“Fencing takes finesse, brains and brawn to do well,” McChesney said

McChesney said the club generally hosts a beginner class, however, newcomers are welcome any time. The club owns its own equipment, therefore individual gear is not required prior to joining the club.

“It’s a lot of fun and you can get a really good workout from fencing,” McChesney said.