It’s been almost three weeks since you made that overly hasty New Year’s resolution to work out at the gym every single day and some of you might be starting to regret that decision. You don’t want to be one of the many that show up for the first two to three weeks then inevitably stop coming. You’ve got something to prove after all, and you don’t want to give those smug gym regulars the satisfaction. If you’re starting to get bored with your monotonous workout, then your best bet is to try something new. Take full advantage of those student fees by enjoying every aspect of our new recreation center and its free fitness classes. If you want to relieve some stress, get a work out and have fun, the first class on your list should be Slay and Squat.
Slay and Squat is an invigorating dance class that tricks you into working out without making you feel it (until you wake up the next day). The playlist consists of contemporary hip hop music that has you dancing in place as you wait for the class to start. The only source of light is located at the front of the class. The music is electrifying and once you get in the zone, it’s easy enough to pretend you’re in the middle of the dimly lit dance floor of a club.
Not only do you get a workout, you also get a confidence boost from the class’ fierce founder/instructor Maria Roman. She starts each class by introducing herself and having everyone give a high-five to the person around them, thereby breaking the ice. On a few memorable occasions, she also has you look at yourself in the mirror and compliment yourself out loud. It seems awkward and silly at first but it grows on you over time. In a recent Instagram post, the 26-year-old FIU alumni explained that she started this class because she wanted others to feel empowered in every aspect of their life. “I wanted to create a judge free environment that allowed individuals to let loose and forget about all their problems. To be able to transform for one hour and become whoever they wanted to be. To feel confident, sexy and fierce.” (@_mroman)
Rebecca Rivera, a 20-year-old Hospitality and Event Coordination major, and Maria’s best friend, has been there since the beginning and even taught the class for a semester. She stated that coming up with the choreography was a time consuming but fun process. She is incredibly passionate about this class and states that she loves it for so many different reasons. “Slay and Squat has given me, and I’m positive other girls would agree, a confidence I didn’t even know I had. Learning dances and getting better at them over time while not even realizing you are getting toned does a lot for your self-confidence. Knowing at the end of my day I get to dance, meet new people, and be absolutely filled with endorphins from sweating so much is the ultimate motivator when it comes to Slay and Squat.” She’s not kidding about those endorphins. I can’t speak for everyone but when that class was over I felt like I was on cloud nine. I got so giddy and it felt like I could keep dancing for hours and hours.
If you want to try something new this semester, something that will challenge you and push you to be your best and most confident self, log onto that PantherFit app and sign yourself up for this class. It’s taught Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30pm. Make sure you sign up quick, this class is so popular it always fills up the day before. It’s an experience you won’t regret.
Photo source: @slayandsquat @vincerives
Cover photo: slayandsquat.com