After nearly a 12-year hiatus, the Big Red Rep Off returned to WKU on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 offering a two-day walk-up event in the Preston Center. Men had to “rep” weights around 70% of their weight and women had to rep 60%. Fitness coordinator Tony Frank said that the winners receive their names on plaques placed in the fitness center.
“The Big Red Rep Off and Bench Off are something that we are bringing back that we used to do in the past,” Frank said. “The bench off will be a max out and that’s going to be in the fall semesters.”
Shepard White, a freshman exploratory major from Franklin, Tennessee, attended the rep off.
“I heard about it at the start of this month but I saw the little banner and I decided that maybe I’d give it a try,” White said. “This is my first one and this is my first semester at WKU.”
White said that he is unsure of repage because he feels that measuring your strength is more important when it comes to weight lifting.
Senior Logan Stewart, a double major in mathematical economics and computer science from Lagrange, Kentucky, also participated in the event but said this was not his first time. Last semester, Stewart said he participated in the Big Red Bench Off. He also participates in powerlifting events off campus.
“I think getting more people active in the fitness community is really a great thing, not just in this gym but throughout society,” Stewart said. “Being active is one of the best things that people can do for their health.”
Frank said the purpose of the event is to get more bodies in the facility and increase student engagement. He said fitness plays a huge part in his life.
“Fitness really changed my trajectory when I was an undergrad,” Frank said. “Looking back, finding this place, environment and the people around me was the best thing that happened.“
Frank said his goal is to create a supportive environment for student-athletes. The events Frank hosts are for anyone and everyone.
“Do it; sign up, even if you don’t know anybody that’s doing it,” Stewart said. “Any community event, clubs especially, somewhere where you can really be a part of a social group is really beneficial.”