Sophomore mechanical engineering student Zachary Huff has found recreation and community at Oregon State through DAM Fit. DAM Fit is a group training class that is scientifically designed to both challenge and protect the human body; founded on basic movement patterns, the exercises safely transfer into the activities of daily life.

Zach, who hails from Yakima, Washington, has dabbled in group fitness-type classes before coming to Oregon State, such as karate and kickboxing. Upon acceptance to Oregon State University, he looked to get involved in a similar program. “I turned to DAM fit early in my first term and enjoyed the DAM Fit Party. Overall I was looking for a way to get back into an active lifestyle, and DAM fit had everything that I needed to get my health back on track.”

In addition to the health benefits of the program, DAM Fit’s community is another big reason why Zach keeps coming back:

“Not knowing anyone at the beginning of freshman year, DAM Fit made me feel welcome and encouraged to attend. Trainers like Ian, Megan, Walter, and Josh have made the experience a positive one. Each trainer is there to make sure that you are maximizing the time spent working out, but they also make sure that during the process, we are safe. They always seem to know what to say during that last set to make sure that I finish strong and don't cheat myself.”

Zach sees DAM Fit and Rec Sports as a place to meet people who share his interest in personal wellbeing. He’s even made several friendships through DAM Fit with people outside his major. “The trainers are good, but friends encourage competition in our classes,” Zach explains. “We push each other sometimes more than the trainers do; one time, the class was doing clean lifts with a barbell, and we all competed to see who could do the most.”

“It seems that every time I go to an event or join a program, I can meet fantastic people who not only make the program even better but even develop friendships that last outside the program.”

As an aspiring mechanical engineer, Zach wants to be a lead engineer in prototyping and design. “I hope to positively affect the lives of thousands of people who will use the products that I have helped design.” In addition to DAM Fit, Zach is interested in taking Rec Sports’ CPR training class and the Adventure Leadership Institute’s Wilderness First Aid class. He recently has gotten into brewing kombucha and considers himself an avid videogamer, listing Battlefield Four, Apex, and Terraria among his favorites.