Collegiettes™, it’s crunch time (pun intended). Spring break is just days away, and summer isn’t far behind. Whether you’ll be spending these warm weather vacations in your spiffiest bikini on the beach or in your comfiest sweats on the couch, we have the tools that will help you look and feel your best. We reviewed six of the many TigerX classes, all guaranteed to help you achieve a rockin’ bod.
Zumba
This is a cardio dance class. You’ll be groovin’ to peppy songs while sculpting your body and burning fat. You can burn up to 600 calories during one hour of Zumba.
The good:
- The songs that you dance to are all upbeat and catchy. You should know most of them, and this makes it easier to follow along.
- The class flies by. One minute you’re warming up, then you’re moving and having fun with all of the sexy dance moves. Before you know it, it’s time for cool down. If you constantly watch the clock during your workout, Zumba may be for you. The dance moves and music distract you from the fact that you’re working out. Actually, it doesn’t feel like you’re working out at all.
- The moves are usually repetitive and correspond to the music, so they’re pretty easy to pick up once you’ve seen them a few times.
- One instructor offers higher modifications while another instructor offers lower modifications if you get tired or are having a hard time keeping up.
The not so good:
- A lot of people take Zumba. In fact, the lines are usually long, and the studio is packed as a result. When it gets really crowded, I usually have to focus on not trying to hit the person next to me. Sometimes, this distraction makes it hard to get into the dancing mood.
What you should know before you go:
- If this is your first time, try to pick a spot in a middle row. You’re close enough to the instructors to follow along but not so close that you feel like everyone can see what you’re doing.
- Bring your water bottle, and place it near the spot you’ll be dancing. There aren’t designated water breaks, but you are welcome to grab water whenever you need it. You don’t want to be weaving in and out of dancers while trying to get your water bottle on the other side of the room. It probably won’t end well.
- If you can, try to get there early. While I’ve never had a problem getting into a class, long lines do mean limited space. So, the sooner you get into the class, the better spot you can pick out.
- If you feel lost the first day and not sure you want to go again, just try a few more classes before you give up. As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” It gets easier the more times you go.
Meeting times:
- Monday Studio A 6:30 – 7:20 p.m.
- Tuesday Studio A 6 – 6:50 p.m.
- Wednesday Studio A 6:30 – 7:20 p.m.
- Wednesday Studio C 8 – 8:50 p.m.
- Thursday Studio A 9 – 9:50 a.m.
- Thursday Studio A 6 – 6:50 p.m.
- Friday Studio A 5 – 5:50 p.m.
- Saturday Studio A 10:15 – 11 a.m.
- Sunday Studio A 5 – 5:50 p.m.
Yoga
The good:
- This class is so relaxing. I like to take it on days that I am really busy because it calms me down. It’s a great class if you have flexibility issues or are really sore. You do a lot of poses that stretch out different parts of your body.
- You can go at your own pace. Do poses at your own speed or ability level, which is really helpful for beginners because it allows you the chance to learn without pressure to move faster.
- One instructor offers higher modifications while another instructor offers lower modifications if you get tired or are having a hard time keeping up.
The not so good:
- If you like fast-paced classes, yoga may not be for you. You can go at your pace, but a lot of time is spent in each pose.
What you should know before you go:
- You don’t have to provide your own mat, blocks, straps, etc. You can borrow them. There is a rack at the front of the room where you can find the mats. Just make sure to wipe them down after the class is over. There’s also Power Yoga, Rock Star Yoga, Sunrise Yoga and Yoga for Athletes if you want to mix it up.
Meeting times:
- Monday Studio C 5 – 5:50 p.m.
- Wednesday Studio C 5 – 5:50 p.m.
Knockout
Knockout is a cardio kickboxing class and offers bodyweight drills as well. If you like to be pushed and enjoy fast-paced classes, then Knockout is for you. And, you will be rewarded for your hard work. Kickboxing can burn up to 600 calories per hour or more depending on the intensity of your class. While you’re burning those calories, you’re also sculpting your body. My legs, arms and abs are always sore for days after I take this class.
The good:
- If you had a bad day, you can take out all of your aggression in this class. You get to punch and kick things. I like pretending that the punching bag is what is bothering me. An ex-boyfriend, a fairweather friend, a test … you get the picture.
- I always get a great workout whenever I take this class. Without fail, I am soaked with sweat, which is good because I know that I worked hard.
- One instructor offers higher modifications while another instructor offers lower modifications if you get tired or are having a hard time keeping up.
The not so good:
- Sometimes, you feel like you’re in boot camp. If morale gets low or people start standing around, you are usually punished in some way. The last class I went to, we ran laps. It can get irritating when you’re putting in effort and are still punished because some members of the class are low on energy that day.
What you should know before you go:
- You aren’t allowed to punch the bags unless you buy wraps, which can be purchased at the Bar in the Jungle Gym for $10.68.
- When you put on your wraps, make sure to not only focus on your wrists but your knuckles as well. Once, I didn’t wrap my knuckles well enough, and I rubbed off skin on a few of them.
- Bring extra water. Hydrating properly is always important when you work out, and you are working hard in Knockout. I usually go through one or two bottles of water during a class.
Meeting times:
- Tuesday Studio A 5 – 5:50 p.m.
- Thursday Studio A 11 – 11:50 a.m.
- Thursday Studio A 5 – 5:50 p.m.
Beginner Cycling
The good:
- It’s a really short class. Most classes are around 50 minutes long, but Beginner Cycling is only 30 minutes. If you’re short on time or don’t feel like putting in a full 50 minutes of work, this class is great because you still get a solid workout in less time.
- Cycling classes are held in Tiger Lair, which is a fun place to work out. It’s decorated like a jungle and has black lights. It’s fun to wear a white shirt or shoes to class and watch your body glow.
The not so good:
- Figuring out how to adjust your seat and the right amount of resistance to add takes a while if you are unfamiliar with the bikes.
What you should know before you go:
- Tiger Lair is located in Downtown Brewer, which is downstairs. You have to make a reservation for any cycling class. Reservations are only allowed 24 hours in advance. To make a reservation, call 573.882.2067.
- When you do sprints, make sure you turn up the resistance high enough. If it’s too easy for you to pedal, you’ll find the pedals moving faster than your legs can. If this happens, you will end up having to pull your feet off of the pedals to adjust the resistance.
- There’s also Advanced Cycling, Intermediate Cycling, Sunrise Cycle, Hydro Cycling and Xtreme Cycle that you can try.
Meeting times:
- Tuesday Tiger Lair 4:30 – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday Tiger Lair 8:30 – 9 a.m.
- Thursday Tiger Lair 4:30 – 5 p.m.
Pump
This class is a sculpting class in which you use bands, dumbbells, bars and bodyweight resistance to tone different parts of your body.
The good:
- You don’t just focus on sculpting your arms or abs in this class. You work out your shoulders and legs as well.
- If you are running short on time, there are express Pump classes that are only 35 minutes long.
- One instructor offers higher modifications while another instructor offers lower modifications if you get tired or are having a hard time keeping up.
The not so good:
- I didn’t feel as sore as I expected after the class. My arms were the only part of my body that I felt got a good workout. I’ve only been to this class once, and I think that is why. I could’ve been doing moves incorrectly because I wasn’t sure what to do. I would like to take it a few more times and see if I get a better workout. So, if you go to Pump and feel the same way I felt after the first class, see if one or two more classes makes a difference.
Meeting times:
- Monday Studio A 9 – 9:50 a.m.
- Monday Studio A 12 – 12:35 p.m. (express)
- Monday Studio A 8:30 – 9:20 p.m.
- Tuesday Studio A 10 – 10:50 a.m.
- Tuesday Studio A 7 – 7:50 p.m.
- Wednesday Studio A 9 – 9:50 a.m.
- Wednesday Studio A 12 – 12:35 p.m. (express)
- Wednesday Studio A 4:30 – 5:20 p.m.
- Wednesday Studio A 8:30 – 9:20 p.m.
- Thursday Studio A 10 – 10:50 a.m.
- Thursday Studio A 9 – 9:50 a.m.
- Thursday Studio A 5 – 5:50 p.m.
- Thursday Studio A 7 – 7:50 p.m.
- Friday Studio A 1 – 1:50 p.m.
- Saturday Studio A 11:15 – 12:05 p.m.
- Sunday Studio A 6 – 6:50 p.m.
- Sunday Studio A 8 – 8:50 p.m.
Core
As the title implies, this class is meant to target and strengthen your core. It is a must if you want defined abs to go along with your cute new bikini.
The good:
- You focus completely on your core for the entire class. You work it out thoroughly. I was sore for days after I took this class. I know that I got a great workout, and I could feel my abs coming back to life under my Christmas Cookie belly.
- It’s short. Core is only 30 minutes long, but you will get a lot out of those 30 minutes.
- One instructor offers higher modifications while another instructor offers lower modifications if you get tired or are having a hard time keeping up.
The not so good:
- There are some exercises that you can do at your own pace, but a majority of the class is pretty fast-paced. This could be a problem for you if you haven’t done much ab work in the past.
Meeting times:
- Tuesday Studio A 4:15 – 4:45 p.m.
- Thursday Studio A 4:15 – 4:45 p.m.
Did you find a class (or two or three) that you think you would like to try? You can visit the Membership Office and buy a semester pass for $49, or you can buy a One Class Pass for $7.
None of these classes sound like your cup of tea? TigerX offers much more! Check out the Spring 2011 schedule for other options.
Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/341840-calories-burned-during-cardio-k…
http://www.livestrong.com/article/68324-zumba-workout-benefits/
http://mizzourec.com/programs/tigerx/
http://mizzourec.com/programs/tigerx/TigerX/Spring2011/TigerX%20Spring%2…