One of my favorite things to do after a long day is unwind with a group fitness class. Recently, I logged on to sign up for my favorite cycling class, but I noticed that the usual time slot was no longer there. Instead, the slot was replaced with an F45 class.

Curious because I had never heard of F45, I did some research and found that it is a high-functioning training class which focuses on functional training and incorporates different exercises, including cardio and strength-training. There were several videos on the site, many of which featured loud, upbeat music blasting in the background, with images of people lifting kettlebells and pushing chairs across a gym floor.

The F45 class looked like a lot of fun, but I soon realized that to sign up, I would have to purchase a subscription plan. The class is currently offered at a rate of $50 per month or $99 per semester to NC State students, which is significantly cheaper than the regular rate. However, this is still a lot for most students to afford, myself included.

While there is nothing wrong with offering a class that requires a paid subscription, the structure of this class as a regularly scheduled group fitness class is problematic. Currently, F45 is offered six times a day Monday through Friday, as well as three times throughout the weekend. Also, F45 takes place in Studio A in Carmichael Recreation Center, which was previously used for group fitness classes and now used solely for the purpose of F45.

Instead of offering F45 along with the regularly-occurring group fitness classes, F45 should be offered separately. This could make it easier for students who have purchased a subscription to find and sign up for the class, and it would leave the regular time slots for students who are interested in the free group fitness classes.

F45 certainly sounds like a great addition to the many offerings at the recreation center, and I would love to try it someday. However, moving F45 to a separate location and time could make room for other fun, exciting classes that don’t require payment or a monthly commitment.

Also, removing F45 from the regular schedule could allow more room for other classes to add to the variety of group fitness classes. Classes such as Yoga Sculpt, Power Yoga, Cycle and Circuits, and PackStrong added variety and fun to the group fitness schedule, but are no longer or rarely offered. If F45 were held at a different time slot, there would be more time available for a greater variety of classes to match different interests and skill levels.

According to NC State Wellness and Recreation, the purpose of group fitness classes is to “provide something for every body [sic].” This message of inclusivity is important, as taking part in some form of physical activity is integral to health and well-being, and offering free group classes opens the door for more students to participate in classes and acquire the benefits of physical activity. However, when students are forced to choose between paying for an F45 class or settling for limited options with the free classes, this message of inclusivity is diminished.