Tu Fit Fam encourages fitness among students

What began as two friends going on runs has grown into TU Fit Fam, a fitness group at Troy University that encourages students to stay active while building connections with others.

Kishon Reynolds, a second-year graduate student pursuing an MBA with a concentration in strategic communication, helped establish the group alongside his friend Kyle James after other students expressed interest in joining their runs.

Reynolds said the two initially ran on their own, but as more people asked to participate, they decided to organize an official group.

The idea eventually expanded beyond running when they realized some students wanted to participate without necessarily being runners themselves. Reynolds said the group also welcomes students who prefer walking, allowing more people to get involved.

Rather than limiting the group to running, Reynolds said they chose the name TU Fit Fam to reflect a broader focus on fitness and community.

For Reynolds, encouraging others to become involved in fitness is rooted in his own personal experiences.

"The biggest thing about fitness for me was it saved me from a very, very dark place in my life," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the impact fitness had on his life inspired him to help others experience its benefits.

As more students began joining TU Fit Fam, Reynolds said he was surprised not only by the turnout but also by how consistently people showed up.

"I would never expect such a large amount of people to show up so fast," Reynolds said.

The group typically meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, though additional runs are sometimes organized on other days.

Beyond physical activity, Reynolds hopes TU Fit Fam will encourage students to expand their social and professional networks.

"The main thing that I've really been trying to push with the group is for them to expand their networks," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said college can sometimes become a routine of attending classes, earning a degree and entering the workforce, leaving students with fewer opportunities to intentionally develop relationships along the way.

Through fitness, Reynolds hopes students will recognize the importance of the people they meet during college.

"You should really be intentional about the people you meet and the relationship you build," Reynolds said.

Fitness has provided Reynolds with opportunities to connect with others, and he hopes TU Fit Fam can offer participants similar experiences.

By welcoming students with different interests in physical activity, the group gives participants a way to engage with others while pursuing their fitness goals.

Students interested in learning more about TU Fit Fam and upcoming activities can find information through the group's Instagram page, @tufitfam.