Ryan ChartrandThe Cal Poly gym is packed late one Wednesday night. Every machine, dumbbell and set of weights is taken by students looking to burn some calories.
It’s not an uncommon sight. The Cal Poly Recreation Center frequently gets overcrowded, forcing many students to alter their workout routines.
So, many students turn to exercise classes at the center, which students say provide a stimulating workout and a mental break from the academic rigors of college.
ASI Fitness Coordinator Eric Anderson says he recieves phone calls around dead week of the quarter from students wondering when and what classes will be offered.
Many students take classes because the gym is overcrowded or classes are “more fun than waiting in line for a treadmill,” art and design junior Kelly Curran said. Participants value the social networking of the classes too.
“I schedule my days around my classes,” English junior Kellen Dickinson said. “I would be more lazy without classes; I need to have stuff in my day to be productive. It’s a good social outlet because I do all the classes with some friends that I can’t see during the week.”
Hip hop, yoga and spinning classes are some of the most popular classes among students and faculty of both sexes.
Hip hop is especially popular; over 100 students took it take it last year, he said.
“Hip hop is just something fun, you could workout and have fun at the same time,” Anderson said. “In the corporate gym world there are a lot more types of those classes like cardio dance class. It’s a different way to burn some calories.”
The class is designed to give takers a full body workout that improves coordination, stamina and strength, according to the Fall 2008 Instructional and Exercise Class Schedules. Dancers learn four eight counts (set of moves) the first day, review them the second day then learn an additional two counts, Curran said.
Students enjoy hip hop classes because it offers a fun environment coupled with a demanding workout, Curran said. Even though she’s danced for most of her life, Curran still enjoyed the complexity of the class.
“(Instructors) don’t make it too hard or easy,” she said. “Moves can be done by a professional dancer or a beginner. It’s all about the instructor.”
Hip hop is a really good workout and it’s harder than it seems, Amber Curry, kinesiology junior and recreation center employee said.
“It seems girly but it’s a fast-paced workout that gets heart rate up,” she said. “It works different muscles in a different way with a fun atmosphere. The classes are good if you don’t like the traditional workout or if you are getting bored with your routine.”
Some students aware of this sterotype take extensive measures to keep their extracurricular activities hidden.
Cal Poly business major Steve Symer has it down to a science after attending hip hop classes for a quarter. He would position himself in the back corner of the class, hidden from anyone walking by the double-doors and observers from the windows.
After his initial anxiety wore off, Symer admitted that it was “kinda fun.” Another perk was the ratio of women to men, about 5-to-1.
“I came in with the mentality that I sucked so I just messed around with it and had fun,” Symer said.
Symer’s friend and fellow dancer would download the songs at home and practice each week’s moves to avoid embarrassment.
“I would find him practicing sporadically in the living room throughout the week,” Symer said.
Students looking for a more relaxed environment can try Yoga, which is promoted as a de-stresser.
“I go to Yoga after a day of school because it clears my mind and refocuses me,” art and design junior Cassy Bright said. “It’s nice because there is no competition.”
Yoga creates a toned, flexible and strong body by combining movement and breathing exercises to connect poses, increase physical strength, endurance, mental focus and relaxation, according to the class schedule.
“Yoga relaxes me,” Dickinson said. “I don’t have the luxury to take time for myself. It gets me refreshed to go home and do homework.”
Yet, Curran said, it isn’t relaxing when the class gets too crowded. Students will often “giggle during different poses,” she said.
Yoga is harder than some students may think, according to business junior Alex Lee. The instructor told students not to strain themselves during an advanced position but Lee didn’t listen, and found himself stuck in a compromising position – kneeling, his hands grabbing his ankles and his back arched.
“I think I’m stuck,” he whispered before falling over. His companion burst out laughing.
People are drawn to spin classes because the sport is an endurance-building class that forces participants to dig deeper.
“Spin pushes you a lot,” Curry said. “It is self-regulated and self-motivated. Everyone else around pushes themselves so it makes you want to.”
The class burns calories by riding stationary bikes, which provides a cardiovascular workout. Resistance intervals, simulated sprints, hills and time trials all serve to increase stamina and endurance, according to the class schedule.
“It is really hardcore,” Dickinson said. “It’s well worth that hour because I feel really good about myself even though I want to quit half way through. You are in control of how hard you want to push yourself and you can adjust resistance so it’s comfortable to you.”
Participants place much emphasis on the involvement of the instructor. Recreation center administration stressed that instructors need to alter the difficulty levels to reach a broader audience, Anderson said. Many teachers will give participants individual help and address the class criteria before every meeting.
“We emphasize that a lot because some people will wait an entire quarter to try out a class with only two weeks left,” Anderson added.
They also give each member of the class mid-quarter evaluations, Cal Poly Fitness graduate assistant Kristen Meier said.
“We meet one-on-one with the instructor and go over it,” Meier said. “Then we do another at end of quarter to see if the (class) improved and if the student’s needs are met. It’s a good way for instructors to know how they are doing. Student voices need to be heard because the classes are for them.”
Students and administrators alike said that the time has much to do with the popularity of the class. Upgrades to the facility will allow more space to offer the most popular classes at peak times, Anderson said.
Other popular classes include Sculpt and Pilates. The Rec Center also offers Cardio Kick, Cardio Strength Mix, Butts & Guts and 6-Pack Abs.
Students and faculty can purchase a $120 year pass, a $49 quarter pass, a $37 noon hour pass and a $5 day pass for exercise classes. All instructional classes are $45 except for Hatha Yoga, which is $50. Classes are free on the weekends.