The RecPlex doesn’t just have treadmills and elliptical trainers. It offers more than 20 group fitness classes to satisfy students’ needs and schedules so they can work out using the newest and trendiest ways out there. Plus, joining these group exercises is free for all NSU students.
Marcela Sandigo, associate director of programs at the Office of Campus Recreation, explained that the classes are categorized into four different categories: cardio, resistance, flexibility and neuromotor, also called interval training.
“Different categories are incorporated into the schedule to give student the full workout so that it’s not just one type of exercise,” she said.
Cardio exercises raise the heart rate and keep it elevated for a certain period of time. They are also known as aerobic exercises. For students looking for this type of workout, there are many options to choose from.
Spinning might just be right for those wanting to get the most of their cardio workouts. They can embark on an original and energized cycling journey while listening to high-intensity music.
Michael Davis, Spin and Tabata instructor, encourages students to try out the workouts because of the rewarding results.
“It’s fun. You can take these workouts with you everywhere, whether you’re traveling or if you’re in your dorm room or office,” Davis said. “It doesn’t have to be here.”
Other classes include Aqua Boot Camp, an enhanced water alternative to cardio that keeps one fresh and energized. Hip-Hop and Zumba classes are another fun way to do cardio as they feature popular dance moves.
For a more intense approach to cardio, Turbokick is the right choice. It’s kickboxing taken to a whole new level. The class combines athletic moves, sports drills and hip-hop.
Turbokick instructor Adele Mirby said, “Students should expect a high-intensity cardio class with kickboxing moves integrated in it. It combines athletic and dance moves with kickboxing.”
Resistance exercise doesn’t mean resistance to exercise. Resistance exercises have gained popularity recently because they increase muscle strength, tone and mass. Resistance exercise classes include Pilates, Ripped Arms and Abs, Butts and Gutts, and BOSU Pump. These sessions do just as they’re called, providing toning for different body parts with a blend of coordination and balance exercises.
Don’t let stretching take a back seat in your exercise routine. Flexibility workouts target all the muscle groups through stretching, and fitness-based approaches to yoga are offered in the Zynergy Yoga, Yoga Sculpt and Power Yoga classes.
Those interested in less intense but efficient workouts, can check out the neuromotor exercise classes Tabata and Extreme Fitness. Both are indoor and outdoor classes that incorporate group challenges and gymnastics. The classes include 20-second moves with 10-second breaks in between, which are meant to train the heart and make it more efficient by increasing the heart rate during exercise and bringing it back down during the breaks.
Sharon Copeland, senior biology major, said the Extreme Fitness Class is one of her favorite group exercise classes.
“It’s a class both beginners and experts can benefit from. It’s only as challenging as you make it. You can tell that the instructors really enjoy teaching the class and they do a great job at keeping you motivated,” she said.
Sandigo encourages students to try out some of the classes because they’re not made for just for experts and professionals.
“Instructors give modifications to difficult moves, an alternative way or two to do the same move to make sure everyone is comfortable with what they’re doing,” Sandigo said.
A color-coordinated schedule of the classes is available online at rec.nova.edu/group-exercise-schedule.html. The new NSU RecPlex app for Apple and Android also provides more on-the-go access to all RecPlex activities.
