The Body Improvement Club is a fitness club that focuses on helping students maintain a healthy lifestyle even if they don’t participate in any sports or have access to a fitness environment. The club is completely open to anyone who wants to focus on their personal health, strength, or overall fitness goals. Students can enhance their physical capabilities with guided assistance from their peers in an encouraging environment.
The club was founded by senior Aiden Jarvis wanting to share his knowledge on fitness with others. “My friends kept asking me for lifting tips, and I realized there was a bigger interest in learning about exercise,” says Jarvis. “I thought, ‘Why not create a space where everyone could learn together?’” What started as a few friends working out together quickly grew into a structured club as more students joined with the shared goal of learning more about fitness. Over time, this core group expanded into a true community, united by their commitment to building strength and improving their health.
The Body Improvement Club has a structured yet flexible meeting routine designed to accommodate members at different fitness levels and with varied goals. But it’s not just about lifting weights; the club’s schedule includes warm-ups and guidance that help them work out smarter with proper form. “We meet at 4:30, and the first 15 minutes are for stretching and warming up to prevent injury and get ready for a workout. Then, we break into groups. One group focuses on building muscle size, while the other focuses on increasing strength. We usually wrap things up by 5:45,” says senior Juelson Mendes. This flexible approach allows students to work toward their personal fitness goals while ensuring they have a solid foundation in safe workout practices.
Although the club is primarily student-driven, they welcome external support and encourage collaboration. With their combined knowledge and experience, the members help newcomers learn the basics and become comfortable in the gym. “Our club has really progressed from when it first started. People come ready to push themselves beyond what they thought they could do. We’ve built a space where newcomers feel welcome and they can gradually build confidence,” says Jarvis.
“The club is an awesome opportunity for people to try different fitness styles and routines without needing a gym membership or sports team commitment,” says senior Angel Davis. Davis credits his involvement in the Body Improvement Club with keeping him focused on his fitness journey, as the community atmosphere provides accountability and ongoing motivation.
The members of the club agree that being in it has benefited their physical goals and their understanding of physical health. Within the routine, they take time to discuss techniques, nutrition, and healthy habits beyond just workouts. The club serves as an introduction to wellness, offering a space for learning and improving physical fitness. They take pride in their growth and in contributing to a community that values inclusivity and learning.
As the founding members of the club prepare to graduate, they hope to leave a legacy that inspires younger students to continue what they’ve started. “I want to make sure the club stays a welcoming place for new lifters so they can find their footing in the gym. Hopefully, the underclassmen will carry on this community and help it grow, motivating each other as they go,” says Jarvis.
Through its supportive structure and positive energy, the Body Improvement Club has become a valuable resource for students at Lamar. Whether they come as current athletes or someone that’s new to fitness, students can join this community, learn the fundamentals, and work toward their health goals with dedicated people, the club is likely to inspire students to prioritize health, fitness, and self-improvement, ensuring that fitness remains an accessible and welcoming pursuit for all.
