Kentucky has remained 50th in the nation for adult physical activity. It’s not a surprise that health outcomes related to physical activity are also poor in Kentucky, such as obesity (43rd), diabetes (44th), and cardiovascular deaths (44th). Nearly every population in Kentucky is less active than the overall national rate. Kentucky also ranks 47th in the nation for frequent mental distress up only 2 places from 2018 when the Commonwealth was ranked 49th. The Geek Your Health program is Institute for Health Innovations response to combat poor health outcomes in Kentucky.
Over the years, programs have included on-campus time management sessions for staff and faculty, mental health bingo for students, Harry Potter yoga for the community, and many more while embracing the 8 dimensions of wellness.
“Kentucky has the eighth highest adult obesity rate in the nation, so this is a larger health challenge our region needs to address. By incorporating pop culture, this will reach the people who may find fitness classes intimidating. We hope it inspires them to join us and help to improve our region’s fitness,”
-Carolyn Noe, IHI program director.
Let your geek flag fly and grab a lightsaber to start learning the ways of the force! Participants are taught maneuvers for lightsaber combat. Leveraging the popularity of geek culture, Geek Your Health is a series of themed fitness events around popular television shows, comics, films and video games.
Campus Recreation MAC Gym
Tuesday, March 21
7:00PM - 8:00PM
Leveraging the popularity of geek culture, Geek Your Health hosts themed fitness events around popular television shows, comics, films and video games. You’ll “let your geekflag fly” at each of these events. Wear fandom themed workout gear and talk about the fandom before, during and after the events!
Fighters prefer competitive sports and winning! Now is a great time to compete with yourself by beating personal bests or joining online communities with friends.
Use a fitness tracker to beat your personal bests or compete against friends. Popular apps and devices include:
You're naturally competitive, so why not reward yourself with an award-winning cookbook? You can get these at your local library or bookstore.
Don't want to invest in a cookbook? Check out these award-winning healthy eating blogs:
Wizards like getting fit by knowing everything there is to know about a workout and they especially love rules.
With COVID-19 shutting down gyms and in-person access to personal trainers. Wizards might like to explore the many free, structured classes available via streaming.
Paid options:
On the nutrition side, you're curious about the why and how of cooking. You can get these at your local library or bookstore.
Don't want to invest in a cookbook? Check out these blogs by real dieticians:
Rogues like to do things differently. They are the first to try something new and see fitness as a way to stay in touch with the latest and greatest trends. Rogues can easily get bored with routine so try mixing up your workouts with cardio and strength training. Look for unusual opportunities like parkour classes or goat yoga.
With gyms currently closed, the opportunity for finding new classes is limited. However, fun, free classes have been offered by many, check out the options:
On the nutrition side, you're always looking at the latest and greatest trends. Check out these interesting trends in nutrition that are based in sound science:
We can't travel right now, but you can try out cuisines from around the world by checking out a book from your library:
Clerics are focused on the healing power of fitness. They like to take care of their minds and bodies from a health perspective. They see working out as part of a healthy routine.
For you, fitness is about keeping your mind and body healthy.
On the nutrition side, you want food that tastes good and makes you feel good.
Baking can be more than making bread, check out these cookbooks and share the wealth with family and friends. It's ok to indulge a little bit!
Rangers like to do things on their own. They prefer to work out in nature and especially enjoy activities like running, biking and roller skating.
As someone who prefers doing things on their own, you're not too troubled by gyms being closed, but here are some new ideas for working out on your own:
On the nutrition side, you're always looking at the latest and greatest trends. Check out these interesting trends in nutrition that are based in sound science:
Make the kids something kid-friendly while you make something delicious for yourself and your partner:
Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Local: +1 (859) 572-5100
Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in HIC 225
