MCT Weight training students Becky Millman, 53, right, and Laura Clark, 20, lift free weights during a class at Irvine Valley College in California. Some people find the accountablity of a college class is what's needed to stick with an exercise program.

By Courtney Perkes
SqueezeOC

Irvine artist Michael Harrison has thought about joining a gym, but they don't take attendance there.

They do, however, in his weight-training class at Irvine Valley College in California, giving him added motivation to exercise.

The combination of individual instruction and accountability has made him a fan of community college fitness. In December, Harrison completed his "final" with a last lifting session in the school's weight room as classic rock blared from the speakers.

He doesn't care if he earns an A because he's measuring success by how much he can lift.

"I'd never lifted weights before in my life," said Harrison, 58. "Although I'm very skinny, I've noticed a little bit of improvement in my body shape. Not an Arnold Schwarzenegger."

A local community college is a sometimes-overlooked option for quality fitness at a cheap price, according to school administrators. Colleges offer everything from tai chi to tennis and often provide needed equipment. Fees are based on the number of units.

"The classes have a little bit more depth to them than what might be offered in a fitness club, where there isn't necessarily an education requirement for the instructors," said Susan Beers, dean of physical education at Fullerton College in California.

But while a twice-a-week Pilates class at Fullerton College averages about 50 cents per session, there are tradeoffs, such as parking hassles and no classes during semester breaks.

In Harrison's class, taught by Tom Pestolesi, who has a master's degree in physical education, a mix of students rotate through weight machines. The atmosphere is casual but focused. There's a cluster of young guys from the volleyball team. There are a few middle-age professionals and regular college students. Pestolesi wanders the room, giving high-fives and helping with form.

One student, Becky Millman, 53, has taken the class eight times.

She started in a golf class and noticed that her swing was weak. She signed up for weight lifting to build some upper-body strength. Her golfing improved quickly, but she discovered she was more interested in the weights workout.

"I couldn't lift more than 20 pounds," she said in December, while doing squats. "(Now) I'm lifting 50. I feel good about my body. I feel strong."

Millman, a graphics account coordinator, pays about $35 for the 16-week course and a parking permit. She said she's slimmed down and lost inches since signing up.

"It just changes my mood," she said. "I can come in feeling a little blah and I go back to my office feeling so happy."

Pestolesi helped Millman tailor a workout and taught her what machines target particular muscles.

"We are a no-pressure situation," Pestolesi said. "We're just here to help. We're not trying to sell them this drink or this protein bar or this program. We want you to get in here and get a good workout and develop some knowledge."

Millman said she enjoys the social atmosphere of the class. She's made friends and loves helping younger women with their technique.

Phil Younglove, an 18-year-old Irvine Valley College volleyball player, takes the class for conditioning, but said it's also good for team bonding.

"You're going to get out of it whatever you put into it," he said.

Keith Shackleford, dean of health sciences, said the classes are a non-threatening way to pursue a new hobby or get in shape.

"It's not just weight training," Shackleford said. "It's tennis classes, badminton, soccer. We have things like theory of coaching for those involved in youth coaching. Your investment is $20."