Exercise is Medicine is both the name of a global initiative as well as the mindset and objective for the Scottsdale Community College’s Fitness and Nutrition Club’s mission that kicked off last week. 

Students are invited to come listen to faculty and student speakers give presentations on topics involving physical activity, health, performance, weight loss, muscle building and more.

Fitness and Nutrition Club Lead Advisor Robert Martin told Northeast Valley News, “Exercise is Medicine is a global initiative by the American College of Sports Medicine that is looking to create healthier campuses, really around the world.”

The club has participated in the global initiative since 2018 and has been acknowledged as SCC’s Club of the Year. 

Nationally, they have been recognized as a silver level club from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Other notable initiatives by the club have included blood drives, jumpstarting the campus food pantry and soon hosting their first on-campus volunteer initiative that will partner with the non-profit organization Borderlands Produce on December 2.

“The most important thing is for our club to have a positive impact on the campus,” Martin said. “This is a really great opportunity for students to really get involved, have a positive impact, and develop their leadership and teamwork skills.”

This winter, student volunteers will help distribute almost a truckload of rescued produce to students and community members. Some volunteers may also be eligible to receive a free 25-pound box of produce donated by Borderlands.

The Fitness and Nutrition Club Student Project Manager Stacey Vogel is responsible for bringing Borderlands to the attention of SCC faculty, and helping to coordinate the December event. “I’m excited to see more on-campus involvement,” Vogel said. 

Until then, students can attend the bi-weekly Exercise is Medicine (EIM) presentations virtually or in-person in the Fitness and Wellness center. The initiative will begin on October 5 with Martin speaking alongside club Co-Director Bob Kline.

October 19: Exercise is Medicine Presentation

November 2: Final Exercise is Medicine Presentation

November 16: Hunger and Food Access Presentation

December 2: On-campus Borderlands Produce Distribution