Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon at UTM recently held their first Fitness Evaluation Week to stress the importance of having a healthy body. To SigEp, having a healthy body is vital to living a productive lifestyle.

The brothers that participated in the evaluations went through a series of tests to determine their level of fitness at present. These tests determined body fat percentage, measurements at various points on the body (chest, waist, etc.), and a physical test that included accessing the maximum number of push-ups and sit-ups. Each brother also ran a timed one-mile run around the top of the Elam Center.

This program was started by Vice President of Member Development Rodel Cacas and Chaplain Philip Rhodes, who also serves as the Sound Body Chairman. These men drafted the program for UTM after reviewing programs from other chapters around the country and realizing what was needed to be effective here.

"Our main goal is to have a program available to brothers that will allow them to gain a general idea of physical health and achieve an ideal level of fitness," Cacas says. "The evaluations not only promoted the Sound Body aspect of our Fraternity, but also built up the unity of our brotherhood," Cacas adds.

Everyone who participated will evaluate their results with Cacas and Rhodes and set goals for the next fitness evaluation. Men wishing to achieve their goals are given a physical plan and a diet plan that coincides with their ability and desired accomplishments. There will be two more fitness evaluations this year, occurring before spring break and finals week.

Sigma Phi Epsilon's teachings on sound body include proper sleep, proper diet, break time as well as physical activity. The fraternity believes that in order to live a balanced life, one must have a sound mind, a sound body and a sound spirit.

These beliefs, along with continued lifelong development are exemplified through the Balanced Man Program. The national and local fraternity have a lot of information about how to implement effective sleeping routines, eating habits and physical fitness in a way that improves overall physical health.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Sound Mind/Sound Body Ideal of Sigep should visit the following website: http://sigep.org/development/smsb.asp.