UNL Campus Rec will host “Purely Pink: A Women’s Fitness Event” from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Strength Training and Conditioning Room in the Rec Center.

The free event is designed for female UNL students and CREC members and focuses on helping women feel more comfortable using free weights, machine weights and cardio equipment. Empowering females to strength train is an aim of this for-women, by-women event.

“We have had incredible success at the last two ‘Purely Pink’ events, with more than 450 women getting more familiar with our strength room and all it has to offer,” said Kelsey Whittaker, strength training and conditioning coordinator for Campus Recreation. “Strength training is vital to a woman’s health as it promotes greater bone density, increases her caloric expenditure at rest, improves her posture and supports healthier body composition. While the myth “lifting will make me bulky” continues to pervade the fitness world, we are hoping to educate our female participants that strength training will not cause an Arnold Schwarzenegger-esque build, but will rather create a healthier body composition and help extend their life. This year, we’re adding an additional on-site workout element to the event based on feedback from participants.”

At “Purely Pink,” ladies can attend anytime from 3–6 p.m. and enjoy the following offerings:

Free on-site workouts

Synrgy360 and free weights workouts will be led at the event by Campus Recreation staff and personal trainers. Each workout session begins at the following time slots:

• 3:15–3:45 p.m.

• 4–4:30 p.m.

• 4:45–5:15 p.m.

• 5:30–6 p.m.

Space is limited, so participants should sign up early at http://go.unl.edu/workout to ensure a spot.

Free demos

• Pin-loaded Machines for beginners
• Exercise Programming for beginners to intermediate users
• Racks/Plate-loaded Machines for intermediate users
• Olympic Platforms for advanced users

These demos will begin every 15 minutes for the duration of the event. No need to pre-register.

By completing two of the six demos or workouts above, participants will receive a free Adidas #ActiveHusker shirt while supplies and sizes last.

All attendees can enjoy free smoothies provided by the Outdoor Adventures Center staff, free popcorn from University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union, free women’s deodorant, free #ActiveHusker bracelets, free Clif bars, free chair massages and a chance to win free personal training or a full massage just for attending.

Free fitness classes will also be offered during this time at the Campus Rec Center, including Cardio Kickboxing at 3:30 p.m., HIIT Strength at 4:30 p.m. and Hard Core at 5:20 p.m.

All items and services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Power and strength bootcamp

A “Power and Strength Bootcamp” to accommodate those displaced by “Purely Pink” will also take place 3-6 p.m. Sept. 17. Tires, battling ropes, a prowler push and other special equipment will be available for free use in Cook Pavilion.

This event is a precursor to the “Strong Husker Competition,” which will be open to both men and women from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 in Cook Pavilion.

“Strong Husker” is free to watch and $10 to compete. More information can be found at http://go.unl.edu/7gsh.

For more information or questions, contact Kelsey Whittaker at 402-472-6982 or kwhittaker2@unl.edu.