students bouncing to the catchy beat of music. All was ready for the start of the biggest celebration of sports witnessed at Bilkent University during this semester.
The event summoned about 150 active and passive sport lovers eager to liven up and overcome the stress of the forthcoming exams through entertaining group exercise. As the time approached 6:30 p.m., the participants lined up in different workout areas to start out the 4th Interval Training program. Designed to fit students of all levels of physical activity, the workout program included a combined series of fat-burning, cardiovascular, and toning exercises, which made sure that the participants went through a round of aerobics, press, step and weight-lifting workouts several times. The energetic instructors, Seda, Serhan, Bülent, Filiz, Pınar, Ahsen, Hakan, Emre and Mert, guided the participants through each sequence of exercises.
Different parts of the workout evoked different reactions from various participants. Thus, during the tae-box session, Nat Riley, a MA student at the Department of Turkish Literature, was intensely reminded of his childhood karate classes, while Janset Batıbay (TRIN/IV), as a member of Bilkent University Step Team, was especially satisfied with the step portion of the program. The workout sequence was followed by the dynamic tae-box series, the favorite of most participants, since it united everyone in a single group and intensified the entertaining communication within the crowd.
Before long, the crowd’s collective and cheerful “Hey!” concluded the active part of the exercise which ended with a final stretching session. The participants rushed to receive their special Interval Training t-shirts and share their impressions during the cocktail party held afterwards. Students were definitely happy with the results of the workout. For many participants like Emine Arıkan (ELIT/IV), who regularly does sports on her own, the event was a way of having fun by engaging in a group workout for a change. And for those who are not involved in regular sports activities, the program was a way of motivating them to visit the sports center again.
Filiz Gür, the coordinator of the program said, “During all sports activities, we, at the Physical Education and Sports Center, aim at encouraging the students to feel and enjoy the dynamic splash of energy by exercising in an effective, confident, communicative, and cooperative manner.” So, why not experience the dynamics of Interval Training, during the Spring semester. Stay healthy!

Nailya Ordabayeva (MAN/III)