SIUE Fitness Instructor Promotes the Psychology of Exercise
February 24, 2015, 8:49 AM
Emily Buelow, graduate assistant in SIUE’s Campus Recreation, helps direct group fitness for the Student Fitness Center. Buelow wants to spread her brand of fitness psychology to others.
The graduate assistant has returned from Dayton, Ohio, where she presented: “The Brain Behind the Workout: How Exercise Psychology and Positivity Can Revolutionize Your Fitness Class.”
Buelow, who is working on a master’s in Sport and Exercise Behavior, received a grant to attend the 17th Annual Midwest Fit Fest from Feb. 20-22, hosted by the University of Dayton. The Illinois Intramural Recreation Sports Association (IIRSA) awarded Buelow the grant this year.
Buelow has also presented similar exercise seminars at SIUE and elsewhere to encourage fitness instructors to make the most of their workout sessions.
Buelow does her part in making exercise as enjoyable as she can. “I get to know people’s names and am welcoming to everyone. I also use motivating language,” she said. “I tell jokes and am upbeat and positive. If people are listening to me, they may take their minds off of themselves. It usually helps people and makes them want to come back.”
Being optimistic and adding an inviting social factor with exercise is crucial as it relates to adherence, the fitness instructor added.
“Exercise is important in health wellness as well as in preventive health care,” Buelow said. “I like teaching group fitness, because the energy a group creates is amazing and motivating, and I believe it can get participants to stick around.”
Currently, Buelow is teaching the following fitness classes: TurboKick, PiYo (Pilates, yoga fusion), Rock Hard ABS and is co-teaching cycle circuit training.
“I’ve had people tell me that I’ve challenged them physically, or that they can now do push-ups on their toes instead of on their knees,” Buelow said. “I don’t exercise or lead classes to have bodies look a certain way. I exercise, and I encourage others to exercise, to treat the body well, to be healthy, to feel good and to be fit.”
Photo: Emily Buelow
