CSUN faculty and staff workout at the ExerCircuit fitness parcourse. Photo by Jenny Donaire.

California State University, Northridge’s Matador Athletics, the Department of Kinesiology and the Office of Human Resources have partnered to launch 1.5 Alive, a new wellness program aimed at getting faculty, staff and the community more physically active.

Starting on Friday, Jan. 30 at noon, the campus community is invited to join the 1.5 Alive team at CSUN’s Matador track. During the program, which runs until May 8, the team will exercise for 30 minutes, using a combination of running or walking and the ExerCircuit fitness parcourse, outside of Redwood Hall. The program is designed to accommodate all levels of fitness, from beginner to advanced.

“The goal of this program is to get our CSUN community moving, and it’s as simple as a good walk,” said kinesiology professor Steven Loy. “The value of greater fitness is immeasurable. It leads to a better quality of life and allows us the ability to engage in a bigger world.”

Loy said participants will learn the benefits of taking control of their exercise destiny. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a strong indicator of future health and a low CRF is related to a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature all-cause mortality. This short, online test , will estimate the test-takers CRF.

Loy said physical inactivity is listed as the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide. He said 1.5 Alive is designed to be a program where everyone can start with a simple walk and gradually improve through the course of their career at CSUN. At the end of the semester, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate their cardiorespiratory fitness through a 1-mile walk, a 12-minute walk/run, or a 1.5-mile run and evaluate their next steps.

Brandon Martin, CSUN’s director of intercollegiate athletics, is supportive of the mission of 1.5 Alive.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for athletics to connect with the CSUN campus community,” Martin said. “I encourage overall wellness and the importance of physical fitness to our student-athletes, coaches and our staff.”

Rosemary Martin, a senior employee enrichment specialist, said human resources takes pride in providing faculty and staff health and wellness opportunities through dynamic partnerships across campus. She said with 1.5 Alive the department looks forward to offering a fun and energizing wellness opportunity to the entire community.

For more information about 1.5 Alive and to register, visit http://www.csun.edu/development/training/events/1-5-alive.