Stronger together: Wellness Wednesday takes on Olympic-style weightlifting

Faculty and staff learned Olympic weightlifting during a Wellness Wednesday on Jan. 29 in the Gibbs Center. Howard Hughes Provost Amy Dittmar led the session.
Amy Dittmar, Rice University’s Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, led a Wellness Wednesday featuring Olympic-style weightlifting.
Amy Dittmar, Rice University’s Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, lifts the barbell during Wellness Wednesday. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

Wellness Wednesday featured an unconventional activity this month — Olympic-style weightlifting led by Amy Dittmar, Rice University’s Howard R. Hughes Provost. About 40 staff and faculty members from across schools and departments joined the Jan. 29 session, learning the proper form for safety before doing snatches and cleans.

Wellness Wednesday featured an unconventional activity this month — Olympic-style weightlifting led by Amy Dittmar, Rice University’s Howard R. Hughes Provost. About 40 staff and faculty members from across schools and departments joined the Jan. 29 session, learning the proper form Andrii Hentosh, a Rice Recreation private trainer and head coach of the Rice Olympic Weightlifting Club, along with students Maya Moise and Sammy Sissman and staff from the Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center, demonstrated the exercises and helped participants.
Andrii Hentosh, a Rice Recreation private trainer and head coach of the Rice Olympic Weightlifting Club, along with students Maya Moise and Sammy Sissman and staff from the Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center, demonstrated the exercises and helped participants. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

Andrii Hentosh, a Rice Recreation private trainer and head coach of the Rice Olympic Weightlifting Club, along with students Maya Moise and Sammy Sissman and staff from the Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center, demonstrated the exercises and helped participants. Hentosh coached the Ukrainian national men’s weightlifting team for four years before coming to Rice.

Dittmar, who also serves as executive vice president for academic affairs, said she discovered a love for Olympic lifting while doing CrossFit and has recently taken it up again.

Participants learn proper form during a Wellness Wednesday focused on Olympic-style weightlifting. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University
Participants learn proper form during a Wellness Wednesday focused on Olympic-style weightlifting. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

Adele James, assistant director of institutional research, has attended a few of the Wellness Wednesday sessions, including tai chi, a walk around the Inner Loop and now weightlifting.

“I love seeing my Rice colleagues and learning new skills and doing something fun with my colleagues at work,” James said. “The jumping part I didn’t expect. It got my heart rate up and felt good.”

Wellness Wednesdays are dedicated to employee well-being and focus on a comprehensive approach to health and wellness, featuring many opportunities for employees to participate with university leaders. Sessions are held monthly across campus during the academic year.

Andrii Hentosh, a Rice Recreation private trainer and head coach of the Rice Olympic Weightlifting Club, coaches participants during Wellness Wednesday. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University
Andrii Hentosh, a Rice Recreation private trainer and head coach of the Rice Olympic Weightlifting Club, coaches participants during Wellness Wednesday. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

Next up, Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid, will lead line dancing Feb. 26 at the Gibbs Center.

Additional sessions are planned for March 26 and April 30. For more information, visit the Wellness Wednesday website.

 

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