Hannah Shea
Students power through a cycling class offered by University Wellness and Recreation. This class and many others are hosted weekly at Carmichael Recreation Center.
With all the stressors a new semester brings, taking care of oneself through healthy habits and positive stress relieving activities is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. Whether it’s unwinding with a restorative yoga session, blowing off steam in a high-intensity TRX class, or sweating it out with friends at Yogalties, University Recreation offers over 100 group fitness classes each week of the semester, with class times ranging from 6:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Leigh Krick, University Recreation’s Group Fitness Coordinator, notes the importance of surrounding oneself in a positive, healthy atmosphere while in college.
“There’s a lot of social activities that aren’t healthy on college campuses, but this is a positive place where people can find people who are going to influence them to persevere in their physical pursuits,” Krick said. “It will also build lifelong habits.”
In addition to being a part of a thriving, encouraging community, Krick said that physical exercise can help students conquer particularly challenging classes, as studies have shown a correlation between exercise and academic success. For those who have yet to try a group fitness class, or are on the fence about exercising in a group setting, don’t worry — University Recreation has classes for those across skill levels, though all remain positive environments in which to challenge oneself.
“We have group fitness class for everybody,” Krick said. “We want everyone to come in and feel successful and successfully challenged.”
Below is a descriptive list of five unique group fitness classes worth setting an alarm for:
1) Cardio Dance
With infectious beats illuminating the studio, diva-worthy dance moves and an aura of utmost enthusiasm, cardio dance is a must-try for those looking to make exercise fun. The class warms up with a light dance routine featuring hip-hop moves and words of encouragement.
As the class progresses, the cardio-heavy dance moves ooze confidence and have participants — beginners included — begging for more. Whether a novice or classically trained dancer, cardio dance offers the perfect opportunity to let loose while breaking a sweat. Coley Lyon, a fourth-year studying marketing and international studies, has been teaching a wide variety of group fitness classes for two years now, but cardio dance remains a positive experience.
“You can dance like a chicken out here and no one’s going to care,” Lyon said. “ I’ve had people get lost and do the macarena, and we just changed the entire class to the macarena for a minute long, and it was really fun.”
2.) PackStrong
The newest addition to Carmichael’s group fitness line-up, PackStrong resembles Crossfit in its emphasis on building upper body strength. A typical PackStrong class is not simply following an instructor’s carefully crafted routine, as it is considered a “group training” endeavor. Meaning, it’s a personalized experience, varying in intensity based on personal strengths and goals. PackStrong’s main focus is in building comprehensive strength, using assets like kettlebells.
3.) Pound
Pound classes highlight a rather unlikely form of physical activity: drumming. The unique fitness class uses drumsticks to “pound” away stress while doing hundreds of squats and hit bridges. Feeling more like a Friday night jam session than a workout, Pound is another class worth trying this semester.
4.) Women & Weights
For women who want to utilize the weight room, but don’t know where to start, Women & Weights offers the perfect solution. As learning how to use unfamiliar equipment can be tricky, this class was designed to ease the stress that comes with embarking on a new fitness challenge.
“The great thing about this class is our personal trainers who lead the class focus on teaching women how to use the equipment we have in the weight room and achieve body goals,” Krick said.
5.) TRX
TRX, which stands for Total Body Resistance Exercise, is a class designed to push boundaries. After all, the TRX phenomenon was originally founded by a navy seal hoping to keep him and other SEALS in tip-top shape. A more traditional strength training class, TRX utilizes tired and true exercises, especially those for the core, resulting in a well-developed strength workout.
“Anything you do [in a TRX class] going to challenge your core,” Krick said. “It’s for people focusing on building core strength and stability.”
In short, there are many opportunities to make exercise fun this fall. Most importantly, though, it remains a refreshing way to embark on the lifelong journey that is fitness and wellness.
“Health and activity is important for students in terms of relieving stress and anxiety, and I think it’s important for students to have a well balanced experience,” Krick said.
To sign up for a group fitness class, follow the directions on University Recreation’s website:
https://recreation.dasa.ncsu.edu/fitness/group-fitness/.