Staff Q and A: Leah Bank, Senior Coordinator of Fitness and Wellness

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 14^th, 2024

How long have you been at CSUB? What does your role entail?

I have been working at CSUB for 7.5 years! I moved to Bakersfield from my home in New Jersey specifically for this role. My main responsibilities entail overseeing our fitness and wellness programs, developing creative ways to engage students and participants and mentoring our student staff. Each semester, we host wellness workshops, fitness competitions and special events, as well as our regular programming that includes Group Fit, personal training and Highway to Healthy.

Why are you so passionate about living a healthy life and helping encourage others to do the same?

I have been participating in flying trapeze for more than 20 years. Initially as a student and then as an instructor. I have a passion for helping youth and adults overcome fears and progress their skills in a unique and nurturing environment. I spend time on weekends flying, learning new tricks and creating community with like-minded others who encourage me to grow.

A month before I left for my freshman year of college, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That led me to delve into ways to take care of myself. I began my own personal journey of exercise, healthy lifestyle habits, prioritizing sleep and implementing ways to de-stress. From personal experiences, I can relate to and empathize with students who are going through difficult situations. I have become transparent in expressing that my life is not always in perfect balance. I struggle with physical and mental health, and I continue to implement healthy practices so that I can best care for myself and lead as a positive example for others.

What is the SRC’s mission? What does it bring to the campus community?

The Student Recreation Center provides a safe and fun environment for the CSUB community to achieve physical, social and emotional wellbeing. Newly named "Campus Recreation and Wellbeing," we offer opportunities for personal and professional development and lifelong learning through innovative, student-funded and student-driven programs of fitness, sports and wellness.

Who can use the SRC gym?

All fee-paying, enrolled students have access to the SRC. Your CSUB ID is required to access the facility and programs. Most services don’t require pre-registration; however, we encourage everyone to check our website and social media for advanced sign-up options or schedule changes.

Faculty, staff, alumni and sponsored membership options are also available for purchase. Whether it’s an all-access or limited access membership, these provide access to our programs and services to the rest of the CSUB community.

Tell us more about the programs and services offered in the SRC.

In addition to the fitness and wellness programs, we have a variety of other options to meet everyone’s individual interests, including the rock wall, gymnasium, intramural and club sports, free-weights, cardio equipment and equipment for daily check out (basketballs, badminton, etc.). While some of our events and programs are date and time-specific, there are many options for self-paced and individual workouts. Outside the walls of our building, we also offer our high ropes challenge course, slack line, outdoor adventure trips and wellness outreach for academic classes.

What is the biggest misconception about the SRC? Or something that a lot of people might not realize?

A lot of students don’t realize that they have access to the SRC. We inform students during new student orientations, social media platforms and classroom presentations, but still learn of students in their senior year who don’t know that our building exists!

A misconception that I often hear about fitness is that you must already have knowledge and skills to come into the SRC. Often, new exercisers sense that they’re alone in feeling lost when they walk into the gym. The SRC offers fitness orientations to help members adapt to the gym environment, as well as other introductory events and workshops.

How can people sign up or visit if they’ve never been, but want to get started in the gym?

No “sign-up” is required. Students can come into the SRC during the semester during our normal operating hours. At the beginning of each academic year, we have all participants sign waivers. This can be done in person at the front desk, or ahead of time online at recstore.csub.edu.

When you first come into the SRC, feel free to ask our staff for a facility tour. This will allow you to scope out our equipment and exercise spaces before jumping into your workout.

What are a few of the wellness tips that the SRC promotes?

Start slowly but start! Some movement is better than none. Exercise can promote feelings of happiness, decrease stress and anxiety and encourage healthy practices in many dimensions of wellness.
Instead of making a list of 10 goals, start with one or two. It can feel overwhelming to target and implement too many new things at once, and can lead to defeat. Set a few specific, short-term goals and then reassess often.
Include a balance of activity. Everyone has their favorite exercise or go-to machine, but it can also be exciting and effective to try something new. Go to a wellness workshop that would normally be out of your comfort zone or climb on the rock wall as a different form of movement.
Share with others how things are going for you. Whether it’s with your professors, friends, classmates or even staff on shift at the SRC, you might have something in common, learn new ideas or help keep yourself accountable.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Don’t forget to check out our new Wellness Suite. We have nap pods, massage chairs, lounge space, arts & crafts and a meditation corner. This "zen zone" is a go-to place on campus to hang out in between classes and assists with all aspects of your overall wellbeing. Bookings can also be made ahead of time by signing in to recstore.csub.edu.