Lessons in PEAK Performance
COH Program Redefining Fitness for Campus Community
By Sarah Shebek
PEAK Health & Fitness is a mainstay at the University of Utah, providing fitness classes, testing, and assessments for students, faculty, staff and community members.
Just like the University, PEAK has grown and evolved from somewhat humble beginnings. That positive trajectory can be credited to the one-woman force of Traci Thompson, MS, ACSM HFD, CSCS, who’s served as director for almost 25 years.
“When I arrived in May 2001, PEAK primarily focused on body composition and fitness testing for athletes," she explained. "Initially, I focused my efforts on expanding the University employee fitness class program because that aligned with my previous experience."
But Thompson had a plan beyond fitness classes. She noticed that the COH’s nutrition clinic was also doing body composition and fitness testing, essentially duplicating services. There was room for the two to work together, and they merged to offer even more services, like metabolic testing, after seven years.
“Our most significant evolution has been transitioning from a narrow focus solely on exercise to embracing a holistic vision that integrates lifestyle-oriented wellness programs and services,” she said.
Young and Hungry: Students Make Programming Shine
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With a background in exercise physiology, Thompson knows the significance of movement not only for physical health but also for stress relief and mental well-being. She’s passionate about educating and over time has built an impressive PEAK team of undergraduate and graduate students.
"I'm fortunate to observe students participating in actual health and wellness activities with clients seeking guidance," she explained. "At first, students may feel anxious because they see a gap between what they've learned in theory and what they can actually do. However, by the end of their time at PEAK, they gain confidence in their abilities."
College of Health students run most of PEAK’s programming, and at any given time there are 12-14 on staff. They teach fitness classes, run the Bod Pod assessments and provide fitness and nutrition consultations, drawing on their backgrounds from Health & Kinesiology, Nutrition & Integrative Physiology and Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
All PEAK services are discounted for university employees and students, and community members can also take advantage of all the assessments, consultations and coaching.
“Sometimes the misconception is that the quality of care will be less if a student is providing the service,” Thompson said. “I don’t believe that’s the case. I think these students are in the prime of their knowledge and they’ve received a lot of training and mentorship. They’re amazing professionals.”
Moving on Up: From Student Success to Careers in Wellness
PEAK Health & Fitness is a mainstay at the University of Utah, providing fitness classes, testing, and assessments for students, faculty, staff and community members.
Just like the University, PEAK has grown and evolved from somewhat humble beginnings. That positive trajectory can be credited to the one-woman force of Traci Thompson, MS, ACSM HFD, CSCS, who’s served as director for almost 25 years.
“When I arrived in May 2001, PEAK primarily focused on body composition and fitness testing for athletes," she explained. "Initially, I focused my efforts on expanding the University employee fitness class program because that aligned with my previous experience."
But Thompson had a plan beyond fitness classes. She noticed that the COH’s nutrition clinic was also doing body composition and fitness testing, essentially duplicating services. There was room for the two to work together, and they merged to offer even more services, like metabolic testing, after seven years.
“Our most significant evolution has been transitioning from a narrow focus solely on exercise to embracing a holistic vision that integrates lifestyle-oriented wellness programs and services,” she said.
