History of FIT
In 2001, the Department of Kinesiology and Heath Education at the University of Texas opened the doors to FIT to serve the Austin community and enhance the education of UT students. Within five years FIT expanded its fitness assessments with better technology, such as the DEXA Body Composition machine, high performance endurance testing with lactate measures, the Body Gem for Calorie FIT testing, and began testing many of the UT athletic teams. FIT now performs DEXA Body Composition testing on men’s basketball, football, and track, and women’s basketball, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball. FIT conducts over 2,000 fitness tests each year.
In 2008 FIT expanded beyond testing and created GET FIT, a 12 week group exercise and weight loss program. GET FIT has been highly successful with approximately 450 participants each year. GET FIT went on the road in 2010 to the Texas Medical Association. Almost 30% of the TMA employees participate in GET FIT each session. In 2009 FIT continued expanding its nutrition based programs with individual nutritional counseling and Weight Loss Express, a 12-week group weight loss program.
From its inception, FIT has provided Research Services for the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and other departments on campus. Our Research and Publications page (there should be a hyperlink to this) give a few of the publications that have resulted from these endeavors.
FIT’s dedication to health, fitness, and research gives the Austin community the tools to a better and healthier lifestyle.