<p>Just found out that there was a freshmen fitness test. Can anyone explain what it's all about?</p>
<p>I'm very unfit, so what happens if I completely fail it?</p>
<p>They reconsider acceptances its no big deal tho</p>
<p>So, there are two fitness tests, one each semester (or so everyone else told me… apparently my first semester instructor at the time decided to skip it, so I only took the second). It consists of “running” a mile and a half in a certain amount of time (they give you so much, a brisk walk should be enough), seeing how many pushups you can do in a minute (20 is the “pass”), how many situps you can do in a minute (or was it two?), and a joke of a flexibility test.</p>
<p>Each “test” has a minimum for each gender, then scales of “average,” “above average,” “excellent,” et cetera. The minimums are low, don’t worry. You kept track of your own score, then turn it in at the end. Some people skipped it or “failed” certain parts, with no discernible repercussions. I got the impression that the only reason for the test was for personal knowledge/improvement. I did hear that there were some changes this past year, and they were testing them out for more changes to the system this coming year.</p>
<p>If you’re attending in the Fall, I’m sure you already know about the PE requirement, but just to summarize, you take three “units” of PE a semester. Two concurrent units of the six are for “Contemporary Topics,” basically a health class, and the other four are for PE classes. Personally, I took Racquetball, Fencing, American Dance, and Rockclimbing. There’s also golf, handball, team handball, Latin dance, weight lifting, yoga, volleyball, and others I’m sure I’m forgetting. All units are Pass/Fail, and you will pass if you show up every class.</p>
<p>Also, at the beginning of the year, you will have to pass a swim test. You go to the big swimming pool, do a freestyle swim across the pool, then depending on how well you do, you can be passed on the spot, or asked to do a number of other strokes, including backstroke, breaststroke, and at least one other I forget the name of. If you cannot pass, two of your PE units must be swimming.</p>
<p>Anyone knows what martial arts/boxing/other self-defense classes they have available?</p>
<p>There is a “self defense” course, but it’s more a “how to avoid being raped” class.</p>
<p>You can join the boxing team and train for the Bengal Bouts charity boxing tournament. For the four months or so of training, it’s two and a half hours a day, five days a week, so it’s pretty intense, but anyone can join at the beginning. If you don’t know how to box already, they’ll teach you. It’s very rewarding.</p>
<p>^Holy crap that’s a lot of time to spend boxing, I have no idea how any student could devote that much time to a sport while keeping up a good GPA… Would be fun though for sure</p>
<p>Well, only the second half of practice is actual boxing practice; the first half is strength training and endurance conditioning. Next year, the first semester will be easier, though. Coach Mac, rugby coach and ex British special forces, does the strength/endurance two times a week, and he is one intense son of a ***** (but an awesome guy). However, he’s going to be gone first semester, though will be gearing things up for us second semester. He’s very intense, but gets you prepared for things like thousand pushup day (more like thousand pushup hour…) and the tournament itself.</p>
<p>As for keeping up a GPA… not that hard, boxing doesn’t really interfere. I’d say it interferes a little socially if anything. Definitely fine for a freshman; others depend upon the personal situation.</p>
<p>How hard is the swimming test? I hate swimming. I can keep myself afloat but I hate putting my face into the water. How tough is the test?</p>
<p>It wasn’t that hard, I don’t know anyone who failed it, even people who rarely swim. It’s mostly just people who don’t do it because they think they’ll fail who have to take the class.</p>
<p>You do have to put your head underwater, though, that’s one of the requirements of the test.</p>
<p>Everyone make sure to bring a bathing suit! A few people had to make runs to Target because they didn’t think to bring one. Though the only other time I used mine was for the Fisher Regatta.</p>