Like many other college students, I came back to school after winter break determined to stick to a workout regimen. I have always been bad at motivating myself, so my friends and I have turned to the large variety of free workout classes provided at Kirby Sports Center. Below, I ranked my top five. With that said, I am not one of those people who can hop out of bed before class and go to a workout class (I need my beauty sleep!), so this list only consists of the afternoon classes.
1. Zumba (on Mondays at 5) The Zumba class held every Monday at Kirby is taught by a Lafayette College grad named Bri. She is a certified Zumba instructor and leads a very positive and music focused class. There is a lot of dancing, so coordination is a plus but not completely necessary. Bri takes time to focus on arms, legs, and core in addition to the dancing. Although the music is mostly Latin American, there is a variety of music played. You are guaranteed to feel extra happy from those exercise endorphins when leaving this class! I am a former dancer so I am slightly biased towards this class, which solidified its spot at number one.
2. Cycle 45 (on Fridays at 4:30): I have always been a big fan of spin but this class is awesome for beginners too! If you have never been in a spin class before, this is a great place to start because the instructor, Natascha, will take the time to show you the ropes. This class is a really great workout (lots of sweating!) and Natascha has a contagious positive attitude. The lights are turned off which allows you to focus on the beat of the music and how your body is feeling. In this class, there is a big emphasis on making sure to check in with your body and get the workout you want. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle because you will need it!
3. 3-2-1 H.I.I.T. (on Tuesdays at 4:45): H.I.I.T. stands for High Intensity Interval Training, which may seem intimidating but it really isn’t quite as tough as it sounds (not to say it isn’t a great workout). The instructor focuses on 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of core. The cardio is very light but if you are looking to build muscle this class is great for arms, legs, and abs. The instructor introduces you to all kinds of new exercises and stretches that you can bring to your workouts at home! My one critique of this class is the volume of the music, which tends to be a little quiet, but if you ask the instructor to turn it up she will do it happily!
4. Zumba (on Wednesdays at 5): If you are looking for a lower impact workout, this class is for you. It definitely still gets you sweating but not as much as other classes on the list. This is another lively class that is led by a very energetic, positive teacher named August. She is also a certified Zumba instructor and often pulls students up to dance in the front with her which helps build lots of confidence!! She plays more Latin American music than the other Zumba class. Even if you feel like you are not coordinated, I recommend giving this class a try because it really is a feel-good experience. This is a very fun class to do with a group of friends and a great way to make new ones!
5. Core Circuit (on Thursdays at 4:30): Before going to this class, I expected it to be a purely core exercises, but that was not the case. It is definitely a strength-focused class but the instructor throws cardio in there too. Depending on the day, you get to use some of the workout equipment like medicine balls and workout bands which is always fun because it is different from other classes. You can do a lot of the exercises you learn in this class on your own which can be helpful for people looking for new creative ways to stay fit. This class may be hard to keep up with but the instructor gives multiple variations of each move so you get to choose what works best for you.
Lafayette offers tons of different workout classes, even if none of the ones I listed float your boat. They are super fun and because students love them, they tend to fill up fast so register online or on the GroupFit app to get your spot! Try as many as you can because they have had a great impact on my college experience thus far. Below is a link to the master list of all of the classes offered at Kirby:
https://recreation.lafayette.edu/fitness-2-2/group-fit-program/group-fitness/