Angie Reay was teaching fitness classes before the Bruce and Graciela Redwine Student Wellness Center opened in 2009.

Reay was working to improve her physical fitness when the nearest weight room was a small office spot in D.L. Ligon.

But progress happens quickly at MSU Texas, and Reay, the Director of Recreational Sports and Wellness Center, is excited to see the Redwine Wellness Center turn 10 with a celebration Fall Kick Off 3-7 p.m. Sept. 13.

The Wellness Center was built for students, giving them a place to relax and have a stress-free getaway from studies. It also serves faculty, staff, and alumni.

Reay feels there’s still a newness to the facility and a chance for growth, too.

“I always love being connected with students,” Reay said. “I definitely enjoy hearing about why they like to come to the Wellness Center, and what motivates them.

“We have a top-notch facility, and this should be the non-stressful time of their day. It’s a chance to get away from school and any pressures in life.”

Reay's belief in fitness was developed long before becoming the director of the center in 2017. She played college basketball at Midwestern State in 2004-06 and averaged 10.9 points in 54 career games. She’s made MSU her home ever since.

“I wanted to stay connected with fitness and wellness, and when I was in housing and this position came open it seemed like a natural fit,” Reay said. “I wanted to incorporate wellness into my life, and the competitiveness with our rec sports program, having always had athletics as a part of my life.” Christopher Reay, her husband, is an assistant women’s basketball coach under Noel Johnson.

Active MSU athletes and former athletes work at the Wellness Center, but the focus is on making fitness available for everyone.

“We’ll help people get started on programs, and we have good beginner programs,” Reay said. 

A recent goal she’s been happy to see realized is having more students teach fitness classes at the Wellness Center. It gives everyone more options.

“Our group fitness instructors are fantastic,” Reay said. “It’s a huge variety of classes. We have avid cyclists who teach spin class. They’re cyclists and that’s how they teach their classes. And then we have traditional spin instructors, and their classes are on beat and to music.” 

FINDING YOUR FIT

The Wellness Center has drawn in beginners and experienced fitness enthusiasts already this fall. Reay noticed the first few weeks were busy as students returned and newcomers discovered the valuable resource.

Senior mass communications major Tommy Chhe is glad to be back in the fitness groove this fall. “There are a lot of activities you can actually do; a lot of activities in the gym,” he said.

Chhe said it’s been a great place to get away from everyday stress and believes what he accomplishes at the Wellness Center increases his self-confidence. “It’s my escape from the real world when it comes to education and a job. This is a great escape for me, and I can say it is the same for a lot of people I know.”

Friends can provide a morale boost, and having a friend nearby can keep the motivation to stay fit at the forefront. "That accountability helps a lot," Reay added. There are orientations offered and programs for beginners. “And if you want to take it a step further, that’s when we incorporate personal training,” she said.

Trey Reed, Assistant Athletic Director at MSU Texas, has seen the Wellness Center give him an outlet to achieve better health and make lasting friendships, too.

“Having access to a great facility has not only helped me maintain a healthier lifestyle through exercise, but it has also helped me form relationships with others throughout campus,” Reed said. “It is a great way to relieve stress and provides a break from work to split up a day. Throughout the years, the staff – full-time and student – has always been wonderful. It is a great place to come together with each part of the campus community.”

MORE TESTIMONIALS

Frank Wyatt, Exercise Physiology professor – “I use the Redwine Wellness Center almost every day. As a Professor of Exercise Physiology, a variety of equipment is essential to meet the needs of a wide-ranging group of individuals seeking to improve their health, wellness and everyday function through exercise. The Redwine Wellness Center provides this variety, and it does so in a professional manner. I have not only facilitated my own fitness within the center, but I have gone through two major rehabilitative processes within the center. At a time when health-care costs are skyrocketing, preventative care through exercise has repeatedly shown to be a viable modality to reduce the cost of chronic diseases. We at Midwestern State University are fortunate to have this facility to enhance our lifestyle through movement.”

Claudia Nuno, freshman student – “The times are very reasonable for college students. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 12 (midnight) with very good availability. It offers a lot of machines for everything, and there are a lot of amenities. The staff is very friendly. They make you feel welcome, and they motivate you to finish your workouts.”

Tom Clinton, student – “Around the gym, everybody is pretty friendly. I’ve been to gyms where the culture was different and maybe everyone was a bit of a muscle-head. It’s a lot more relaxed, and no one takes themselves too seriously. The pool is pretty fun when the weather is good.”

AVAILABILITY & AFFORDABILITY

“You can’t beat the price,” Reay said of the Redwine Wellness Center. For currently enrolled students, it is a benefit that comes with their ID card. It is free for faculty and staff. For online students, the cost is $130 per semester.

And the Wellness Center is another benefit of Alumni Association membership. The cost is $270 per year for members and $270 for their partners. With all that is offered, Reay believes that’s a better deal than they will find elsewhere.

The fall hours for the Wellness Center are Monday-Thursday 5:15 a.m.-midnight; Friday 5:15 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The pool is open 3-7 p.m.

For more information contact visit https://msutexas.edu/student-life/wellness-center/center-fees.php-life/wellness-center.

REC SPORTS

The fall rec sports season kicked off Aug. 29 with table tennis and will run through Dec. 4 with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. For more information on leagues and tournament competition, visit imleagues.com/mwsu.

“There are many benefits to participating in our Recreational Sports programs, and they all depend on what the participants want to gain from it,” Wellness Center assistant director Mike Richardson said.

The rec leagues are for students, faculty, and staff, and Richardson said those involved receive many benefits. “Some use it to remain competitively motivated; others use it as a social outlet; and many use it as a de-stressing activity from long hours of working/studying,” he said. “While all reasons may be different, it is very fulfilling for me to see the programs we offer being used for such a positive effect on our participants.”