The Bluejay Fit Buddy program is a new initiative through Creighton’s Recreation + Wellness Center. It was created to help students and faculty find workout partners based on their goals, experience level and preferences. Designed to make fitness more accessible and less intimidating, the program pairs students with students, and staff with staff, to help with both accountability and community.
The idea for the program came from Mia Petersen, a campus personal trainer who noticed a common theme among students wanting to stay active.
“I talk to a lot of people about their fitness goals, and so many of them say they just want to be more consistent,” Petersen said. “A lot of people feel like having a workout partner would help them stick with it.”
Recognizing that not everyone can afford personal training, Petersen wanted to create a free alternative that still offered structure and accountability. After pitching the idea to her supervisor and working through the logistics, she developed a Google form to match participants and began coordinating pairings herself.
“I basically help run the program,” Petersen said. “I made the form, match people together and send out the emails.”
The program is completely free for both students and staff. While there is potential for paired participants to meet with a personal trainer for additional guidance in the future, that aspect is still being finalized. For now, the focus is on building connections and making the gym feel more welcoming.
“It can be hard to meet people, and the gym can be scary,” Petersen said. “This makes it more accessible.”
Though fitness is often associated with physical results, the Bluejay Fit Buddy program is rooted in a broader understanding of wellness. Petersen emphasized that students come to the gym for many different reasons, not just to change their appearance.
“Some people want to be healthier physically, but others just want more energy throughout their day or to feel better mentally,” she said. “We’re trying to combine multiple realms of wellness: the physical, the mental and the social.”
By pairing participants intentionally, the program addresses all three of those realms. Some students are beginners looking for someone to teach them proper form. Others are experienced lifters who simply want a social outlet.
“On the form, some people say they just want someone to have fun with,” Petersen said. “They know what they’re doing, and they just want that social aspect. Others want someone more serious to hold them accountable. Everybody kind of needs help in some area.”
So far, the program has seen encouraging interest. Thirteen participants signed up in its initial rollout, a turnout Petersen described as strong compared to other Recreation + Wellness programs. Four staff members have already been paired, and student matches are currently being finalized.
“We would love to get more, of course,” she said.
One of the program’s strengths is its flexibility. Participants are not locked into strict commitments, and meeting frequency is left to each pair’s preference. The goal is to reduce pressure, not add to it.
“It’s not like you have to meet every single week,” Petersen said. “It’s meant to be supportive, not stressful.”
Ultimately, the Bluejay Fit Buddy program aims to make the Recreation + Wellness Center feel less intimidating and more community driven. Whether someone is stepping into the gym for the first time or simply looking for a friendly face during their routine, the program offers a way to get connected
As the program continues to grow, Petersen hopes more Bluejays will take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen not only their bodies, but also their confidence and connections on campus.