On Feb. 19, Ashland University will host their fifth annual Fit Fest at the Rec Center.

Fit Fest is put on by the Exercise Science Club, Athletic Training Club and Student Dietetics Association will host the event in conjunction with NIRSA Recreational and Fitness Day.

“The event focuses on physical activity, nutrition and overall health,” Arianna Ciepiel, president of the Exercise Science Club said.

The day will include 20 vendors from around the area that will be located on the indoor track in the Rec Center and will also feature different classes and challenges that students and members of the community can partake in.

Some of the vendors that will be at the event include: Hedstrom, Vantrition, Sunrise Yoga, Yoga Faith, deTerra Essential Oils, Local Roots, Second Sole, Plexus Worldwide, Young Living Essential Oils, AU Campus Wellness, Kingston of Ashland, and many more. 

The event will also include sample classes every 20 minutes that can be taken on the gym floor. 

This will give everyone an opportunity to try a new exercise or skill that they have not tried before to see if it is a class that they would like to pursue. 

The classes will include yoga, taught by two guest instructors as well as kettlebell training and much more. 

For the more competitive student there is an indoor triathlon that teams of people can sign up for and compete in. The event consists of 20 minutes of running on a treadmill, biking, and swimming. The price to enter a team in the event is $15 per team and all proceeds will go toward Pediatric Cancer Research.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers and each participant will receive a t-shirt and a water bottle. 

Alongside of the triathlon, the Athletic Training Club will be putting together events for students to compete in and the winners will be crowned Mr. and Ms. Fit University.

The event is for both students and members of the community and there will be events for children as well. 

“It’s a great opportunity to interact with the local community by visiting the diverse group of vendors we have,” Ciepiel said. “Also, it is a fun way to get your exercise in for the weekend. Grab a friend and take some classes or make a team for the triathlon and have fun competing.”

Ciepiel said that they saw 20 teams compete in the triathlon last year and would like to see even more participate this year. Students who wish to compete can sign up online through the Facebook event page for Ashland University’s Fit Fest or they could fill out a form at the customer service desk in the rec center. 

Fit Fest will start at 1 p.m. on Feb. 19 and will run until 5 p.m. 

For more information visit the event page on Facebook or contact Arianna Ciepiel at [email protected]