The group fitness classes at WCU have never been so popular! It seems that every class, even the early morning sessions, are packed with students. In fact, the numbers of group fitness participants has doubled since last year, when classes were held in Sykes Student Union.
“The new Campus Recreation Center has had a huge impact on the RAM Group Fitness sessions. Along with an increase in the number of studios we have, we also can take advantage of the increase in space. We have had about twice the participation numbers per week in comparison to last year in Sykes Student Union,” Michele Ford explained, the Fitness Coordinator for RAM Group Fitness.
The new Rec Center features three group fitness studios; one for cycling classes and the other two are devoted to strength, cardio, and mind/body classes. The studios have any equipment that participants would need for the classes and it can accommodate up to 50 people.
The Rec Center holds RAM fitness classes seven days a week and all at convenient times. There are over 15 different types of classes to choose from.
“RAM Group Fitness takes pride in offering a variety of sessions that fit the needs of WCU students, faculty, and staff. This year, we made a big effort to place our four different categories of fitness sessions across the schedule at convenient times of day. Our goal is to reach all interests in the WCU campus community,” Ford mentioned.
WCU RAM Group Fitness offers classes in strength, cardio, dance cardio and even mind/body. There really is something for everyone.
The classes are also free for students. Students have full access to try out different classes at any time of the semester because of a fee that is now included in all full time students tuition. RAM Group Fitness has made working out both fun and affordable for all students.
“I love going to the classes because it doesn’t even feel like exercise! It just seems like I’m dancing, but I’m actually getting a great workout,” Kelly Weiner said, a student at West Chester University. Weiner loves both the Zumba classes and the Body Combat classes. Weiner and many other WCU students often go to the classes with friends and sometimes get to meet new people.
Many other people, on and off West Chester’s campus, go to fitness classes for the social aspect. According to Jessica Matthews, a member of the American Council on Exercise, group fitness is so popular because of the feeling people get, and not a feeling of exhaustion or thirst, but something that goes beyond exercise. They feel like they are a part of something bigger and get the chance to work out and be social.
The instructors, all of whom are WCU students, are certified fitness instructors. They have gone through training at the school and off-site. Some even have additional trainings to be certified in Piloxing (pilates and kick boxing), Zumba (latin inspired dance cardio), and PiYo (pilates and yoga).
“Zumba would definitely have to be my favorite. It feels like a party and it’s fun to go to. I never dread going to Zumba like I do for other types of workouts,” Weiner said.
Any WCU student wanting to participate in the RAM group fitness classes can pick up a schedule at the Rec Center or view it online under ‘Campus Recreation.’ If you would like to be a fitness instructor, you can contact Michele Ford, the director of the program.
“Our program will be hosting certifications at the Campus Recreation Center. We are currently excited to host both PiYo, and TurboKick trainings this coming January, 2013,” Ford said.
West Chester students really don’t have an excuse to not work out. The programs offered by RAM Fitness are both an excellent work out and a great time.
Liz Thompson is a fourth-year communication studies major with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at ET715984@wcupa.edu.