Group fitness classes can pack a serious punch

Try a group workout class at MRU Rec

Kate Holowaty
Contributor

Tired of just running on the treadmill and want to change up your workout routine? Then head to the Recreation Centre at MRU and take some fitness classes. There are lots of classes to choose from – for strength, flexibility or whatever else you’re looking for.
Photo courtesy: Facebook / MRU Recreation

You are on a spinning bike and you hate your life. Your butt hurts, your arms are screaming, your legs are about two seconds from giving up. You wipe the sweat from your brow and look down, eyeing up your water bottle’s condensation beads with a jealous thirst. You have drowned out your surroundings in your exhaustion and inner turmoil but then all of a sudden the music starts to trickle back in. You hear the sound of the instructor’s voice urging you to keep going. You get your second wind and the endorphins start to kick in. You notice a girl spinning ahead of you as if she is in the final sprint of the Tour de France. She’s wearing those cute Lulu shorts you wish you had. It pushes you to keep going. You. Keep. Going.

You, my friend, are in a fitness class at the Mount Royal University Recreation Centre.

With the new year kicking off there’s no better time to try something new that benefits your health. Fitness classes can be a great option for you to switch up your zoned-out elliptical routine and challenge yourself.

Alena Boczek, Residence Life Coordinator for West Residence, has tried many of the different classes MRU Recreation offers including: Tabata, Bootcamp Insanity, Hottie Body, Hatha Yoga, and Guts, Glutes and Guns. She believes that classes are a great incorporation into a healthy lifestyle.

“Fitness classes offer a safe place to work out with like-minded people of many different fitness levels,” explains Boczek. “I find that I am more likely to go to the gym when I’m committed to a class and encouraged to give it my all when everyone around me is doing the same.”

Emily Treppenhauer is a customer service associate at MRU Recreation who has taken classes like Pilates, Spin and Yoga. She believes that the camaraderie and encouragement you receive in a fitness class, as opposed to working out alone, can be very beneficial.

“I find that it’s much easier to stay motivated and committed if you are doing it with friends,” says Treppenhauer. “Even just knowing that you’re surrounded by other people sweating it out and putting themselves out there just like you will likely keep you coming back.”

Classes can also fuel a competitive fire in participants, as people try to keep up with each other as well as the instructor teaching the class. But even if you are new to group fitness the instructors make sure that people of all levels can participate and challenge themselves.

“I’ve found that my instructors provide different variations for each of the different exercises for beginners and those that need more of a challenge,” says Boczek. “This is a great method, because each individual can tailor the workout to suit his or her specific needs.”

Apart from helping people reach their fitness goals, group fitness can also contribute so much more, Treppenhauer says.

“The fitness classes definitely add value to the university recreation experience, and the university experience in general. Having a class to commit to and attend twice a week allows you to take a break and enjoy what your school has to offer.”

Boczek and Treppenhauer both suggest showing up five to 10 minutes before class to allow enough time for any set up or preparation and to make sure to inform the instructor of any previous injuries. Boczek also recommends taking at least one personal training session through Rec to learn the basics.

A variety of different workout classes are available to Mount Royal students and the public. Prices range from class to class but if you cannot commit to the full class, try a drop-in pass. The university offers single drop-ins, five packs and 12 packs. Keep in mind that there is only space available for drop-in passes only if the class has not been filled with registered participants already.

For the full fitness schedule and more information on classes go to the recreation page on mtroyal.ca