<p>University of Florida bribes students to work out - sort of.</p>
<p>They don’t get cash every time they show up for a spinning class, but rather points they can cash in to get a water bottle, a sports bag or a T-shirt.</p>
<p>The “Incentive Program,” which began being offered by the UF Fitness Department this semester, is a program designed for participants to collect points for attending group fitness classes throughout the semester.</p>
<p>“The program promotes overall health and not just weight-loss,” said Sara Baer Hamilton, a sophomore studying early education and participant in the “Incentive Program.” "The program keeps you encouraged to keep going even when the prize is something you can just pick up at Wal-Mart.</p>
<p>It’s the excitement of reaching the level where you can get something for what you’ve done."</p>
<p>The UF Fitness Department offers strength-training seminars, more than 150 group fitness classes each week, personal training packages, fitness assessments and a multitude of special events and competitions at the Southwest Recreation Center, the Student Recreation & Fitness Center and the O’Connell Center, according to the Rec Sports Web site.</p>
<p>Participants get one point for every 20- to 30-minute class and two points for classes running 45 to 75 minutes, said Nicole Orr, a certified group aerobics fitness instructor at the UF facilities.</p>
<p>Forms can be found in the group fitness rooms or at recsports.ufl.edu/incentiveprogram.</p>
<p>“After every class, the instructor signs off and gives the participant the points for the class,” Orr said.</p>
<p>The point can be redeemed for a water bottle (60 points), a sports bag (100 points) and a T-shirt (150 points).</p>
<p>The point system was created to make each prize level attainable to the students participating in the group fitness classes.</p>
<p>“I typically sign about 10 sheets per class,” said Stephanie Uhazie, a certified group aerobics fitness instructor at the UF facilities. “It’s good motivation for people who want to get in shape. Seeing all the aerobics classes you’ve completed on paper is a rewarding feeling in itself.”</p>
<p>With New Year’s resolutions still fresh, a high number of people are participating in the program at the moment. After Spring Break, the numbers of students in the “Incentive Program” are expected to drop. Therefore, the point value for each class will double after the break to keep participants coming, Orr said.</p>
<p>“I think that the incentive program is an awesome way to keep participants motivated enough to come,” said Orr. “A lot of people come to the classes anyway, so they might as well get the free prizes. And for those who don’t come, the stylish group fitness gear may just be the push they need to keep them coming back.”</p>
<p>Water bottles, sports bags and T-shirts are all available to students as prizes.</p>
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