Beginning of week four the student recreation center started a new fitness series called F45. F45 is a high intensity, interval training workout. Prior to the launch, the student recreation center was promoting this new series like crazy. Beginning of winter break F45 was all over the recs Instagram. Every day was at least one new post talking about why students should try F45. They even offered free trial classes before the launch of the series.
The student recreation center offers many different types of workout classes such as barre, cycling and even CrossFit. They offer packages for students to take classes at a discounted rate. I have been taking workout classes at the rec for a while now and have seen the classes increase tremendously in size. When I began taking classes at the rec the classes had a maximum of about 20 students in the classes and now each class usually fills up quickly. When I heard they were launching this new F45 series, I was extremely excited. I know people back home that go to F45 studios and rave about it. Though I take classes at the rec and love it, those classes are not at a high intensity. After taking my first SoulCycle class over winter break, I fell in love with high-intensity cardio workouts.
When I walked into my first class I was super nervous, I did not consider myself very active since I rarely went to the gym. If I was not doing a workout class I basically just walked around intimidated by all the machines and different people around who were all sweaty and just look super intimidating. That is why I usually take some sort of class. I like someone telling me what to do, giving me corrections and pushing me which is exactly what F45 does. When I walked into my first class in the brand new F45 class in the back of the rec. I was in awe of all the different equipment and devices in the class. There are two different types of F45 workouts that the rec offers. There is a cardio version and a strength version and each class is new and different, never repeating the exact same workout. You follow a screen where a guy is demonstrating each work out doing a certain number of seconds of work with a certain number of seconds of rest and rotate to different stations. Each station is an exercise and works a different body part.
I have never felt more exhausted in my entire life, but the kind of exhaustion that you feel when you are tired but you can not wait to do it again. I loved how the teachers were engaged, they always tell me if I am doing a great job or correct me when I am doing something wrong. It really is a workout that you get what you put into it. I remember I was scared because I did not really know how to work the different equipment and I did not think I would be strong enough for the weights and dumbells, but the instructors are there to guide you and there are so many different size weights so whatever level of difficulty you are at, there is something for you. Ever since I started taking F45 classes at the rec, working out has become a crucial part of my week. I make sure that I am taking a class at least three times a week. I have met so many nice people from going to F45. I love going every week and catching up with the instructors or people that come to the class. It has changed my point of view on working as something that I should or have to do, to something I look forward to and want to do each week. Since taking F45 my strength and endurance have increased tremendously. The classes are very popular though so I am hoping the rec adds more classes for spring term. If you have not tried a class I highly recommend it.