Classes and clinics for a new you

Just in time to help keep those New Year’s resolutions to enrich your mind and body, the Marcus Center for Continuing Education is offering another slate of non-credit courses on a variety of topics, while the Heskett Center is offering personal training and exercise/fitness clinics.

Over the next several months, the Marcus Center, a popular venue for non-credit classes for more than 25 years, will offer classes on such topics as languages, investing, writing, herbal gardening, feng shui, cooking, golf, yoga, computer buying, the Internet, wine tasting and even basic car and home maintenance. University professors and staff along with experts from the community lead the classes, which don’t require tests or homework.

Class length varies from six to 12 weeks, generally meeting for weekly two-hour sessions. Numerous short-term classes, including some just two hours long, also are offered. Daytime and evening classes also are options. Registration prices vary.

Most classes are held at the Marcus Center, 4201 E. 21st St.; a number of computer-related classes will be held at WSU Westside, 7011 W. Central.

Registration is under way now and can be taken until the date a course begins. The earliest classes begin Feb. 2, with a number getting under way later that month. Early registration is encouraged because many classes fill early.

WSU classified and unclassified professional non-teaching permanent employees who work at least 20 hours a week can apply for tuition assistance for non-credit courses. Applications, available from the human resources Web site or by calling 978-6122, must be submitted two weeks prior to the class start date.

For a complete listing of courses or to register, contact the Marcus Center, 978-3731.

The Heskett Center offers free one-time exercise consultations, along with low-cost personal training and clinics for its various equipment. The annual, faculty/staff sliding-scale membership fees, ranging from $15-45, are well below that of any other area fitness facility.

During the free exercise consultation, a trainer will meet with a member to develop a basic personal exercise program. For more extensive personal training, a trainer can meet with a member for $15 per session, which lasts about an hour. The personal training program includes body composition analysis, along with cardiovascular, resistance and post-exercise stretching training.

To schedule an appointment contact Michele Harris, 978-5289, or Laura Nelson, 978-5278.

During the Heskett Center’s equipment clinics, members can try out the machines or watch a demonstration. The schedule for the hour-long clinics, which cost $5 each, follows:

• Exercise/fitness room: 5:15 p.m. Jan. 27; 7:30 a.m. Feb. 7; and 11:45 a.m. Feb. 23

• Weight room: noon Feb. 3; 7:15 a.m. Feb. 8 and 5:45 p.m. Feb. 18

• Circuit room, which combines cardio and weight machines in a more structured routine: 7:45 a.m. Jan. 24; 12:15 p.m. Feb. 1 and 6:45 p.m. Feb. 16.

Call 978-3082 to enroll.