I have been consistently working out since my freshman year of high school and one of the only ways I’ve been able to not get bored with it is by keeping things new and constantly trying new workout classes. Having that variation can keep things fun and serve as both a productive and fun hangout with your friends. Over the years I’ve accumulated some knowledge about differing fitness classes and since they tend to be quite pricey I thought I’d share my experiences with each so that you can get a taste of it before trying it out for yourself!
- soulcycle – 10/10
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SoulCycle definitely took me a lot of courage to try since I’d never done a cycling class before but I ended up enjoying it so much. They have the cutest themes and every ride feels different so it’s hard to get sick of. My first ride was a Drake themed class which I absolutely loved (they actually played good songs not just mainstream ones) but they have options for every genre of music (Swift Saturdays, Beyoncé v. Rihanna, Travis Scott v. Drake, etc.). The instructors are really helpful and motivating and while they give suggested paces, you’re always free to go as slow/fast as you would like.
- A SoulCycle class is normally $32 (yeesh right) but college students get them for $20 (first ride)- $24 (regular university student pricing).
- You will sweat a lot! I suggest wearing no makeup (not even mascara trust me it’ll burn your eyes) and thin, tight fitting clothing.
- Go 10 min early, especially if it’s your first class because there’s a lot of prep like changing your shoes, getting situated, and the hardest part- getting your shoes to link to the bike.
- solidcore – 9/10
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SolidCore is a pilates inspired reformer workout class that will kick your a**. I’ve been lifting for four years and I can attest that none of my workouts have ever compared to a SolidCore class. They have different classes based on the muscle groups you’d like to target (glutes + hammies, arms + abs, etc.) and are 50 minutes long. The classes are quite intimate and you get more one-on-one guidance with form compared to with other fitness classes. It can seem terrifying but your body will feel so good after just one class.
- The first class is buy one get one free (adding up to $16 per class) but they offer student discounts as well and there’s a location here in Charlottesville!
- Wear either grippy socks or no socks at all (not regular socks you won’t be able to grip the machine) and tight fitting pants so they don’t get caught up in the machine.
- Show up early to your first class so you can get familiar with the machine you’ll be working on since it is unique even compared to other reformer machines.
- pure barre – 7/10
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I honestly wasn’t sure what a barre class was before I tried it out for first time and to summarize, it’s a bunch of really controlled movements. The class is quite intimate and you do receive one-on-one guidance. I tried the full body foundations class and I liked the recovery at the end and how gentle the movements are on your body because I wasn’t painfully sore the next day. This class is killer for your core and for toning up!
- Your first class is free (music to the ears of broke college students) and they have package or drop in deals for if you decide to continue.
- You can wear any athletic clothing, but you do need grippy/sticky socks. I suggest you bring a pair you already have from trampoline parks because the ones at the studio are quite pricey (I’m still annoyed about the $15 I spent on the cutest socks I wore only once).
- There’s not as much preparation needed beforehand but coming earlier is smart so that you can get setup and get a name tag.
- hot yoga – 7/10
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I had been wanting to try a hot yoga class for a long time because I regularly go to yoga and have been to multiple regular yoga classes. However, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected. The place I went to was a little run down and I wasn’t a fan of the instructor but the actual yoga itself was nice and the hot aspect made my workout really therapeutic. This is definitely a class you should try out if your body feels tight or if you’ve been stressed out because it really stretches you out.
- I went to Bikram’s Hot Yoga back in my hometown for a $25 drop-in but there’s a a Hot Yoga Charlottesvile location that has $24 drops-ins with a 10% off student discount!
- Wear as little as you can because you will be hot! Also, leggings or shorts are better options to wear than yoga pants so the instructor is able to see your form and correct you. I wish I had brought my own yoga mat and towels as well but most places provide them.
- Eat and hydrate before! This is really important for hot yoga because the heat and movements genuinely make you lightheaded. A light meal and tons of water will keep you from passing out during your first class.
- full-body boot camp – 6/10
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This was one of the classes I did during Fall 2023 free week at the AFC and for some odd reason I decided to do so at six in the morning. It was a 45 minute class of HIIT mixed with strength training and worked the entire body. The workout itself was killer but very enjoyable and the instructor was as helpful as she could be while also assisting the room full of other people. I did have to switch out my weights a couple times because they were too heavy/light so there’s flexibility with how difficult the workout is.
- My class was free because it was free week (group fitness classes are free for the first week of every semester here at UVA) but a single group fitness class is $7 or $20/month for unlimited classes (really not bad at all compared to the prices of the other classes).
- You can wear whatever exercise clothes you would like and you don’t need to bring anything but yourself and a water bottle.
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early so you can check in and set up.
I hope my knowledge is insightful and encourages you to go out your comfort zone to try something new. While spending money to work out is a luxury for most college students, it can be worth it to treat yourself in a way that’s beneficial for both your mind and body. Take advantage of those student discounts and get your a** in a class!