The view from the bank of windows along the south wall of what will soon be a pair of 5,000-square-foot group-exercise rooms.
Sporting such colorful names as Zumba, Circumference and Capoeira, the exercise-class offerings in the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center have been unveiled.
“I think it’s going to be great,” said Dr. Kerri Hart, the facility’s director of exercise programing. “When I visit with students in my classes or I explain to people the programming in the facility, they get very excited when they hear Boot Camp, yoga, indoor cycling.”
The classes — 12 in all — include a mix of name-brand and generic-alternative programming, as well as a few currently offered for credit at Abilene Christian University. These classes, however, will be strictly extracurricular.
Several classes were developed by the university’s Department of Exercise Science and Health to replicate brand-name offerings that are too expensive for ACU to offer. These include Circumference, an indoor-cycling class similar to the popular Spin class offered at many health centers.
“You might have experienced other indoor cycling classes,” a written description of the class states, “but you have not truly experienced indoor cycling until you have experienced Circumference. Come full circle as you improve your cardiovascular endurance and tone your entire body. … [M]ake sure to bring a towel and water. You WILL need both!”
Likewise, Push — “a dual workout for both upper and lower body” for those seeking to “define your muscles while gaining strength” — is similar to the name-brand Body Pump class, Hart said.
Then there’s the hard-to-pronounce Capoeira (Cap-WHED-a), a Brazilian style of martial arts that “provides a fabulous blend of athleticism, martial arts and artistry.”
The classes will be offered in three groupings — early in the morning (6:15 and 7 a.m.), noon and early evening (4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.). In all, there will be 26 total class sessions per week, including two on Saturdays.
“This grouping of classes was based on the many visits we made and what other universities provide,” she said. “The times are based on what they said were the busiest times for their classes.”
Classes will be available as soon as the building opens, Hart said, and they initially will be free to allow students to sample them.
However, students seeking to participate in a class ultimately will have to pay for it by purchasing a punch card that will be good for any 10 class sessions in the facility. The price for the cards has yet to be determined, but is likely to be less than $50, Hart said. Paying for the classes helps ACU hire the certified instructors who will be teaching them — and keeps the university from charging every student for classes only a few will take.
“They’re still getting a very good deal on a holistic facility,” Hart said. “To me, it’s not fair to charge people who are not interested in group exercise to pay for the teachers who are certified to teach those classes.”
The full list of classes and their descriptions follow the jump.
“I’m excited to see the response of our community,” she said. “I think it’ll be good.”
Water Aerobics
Come and try out our liquid weight machines. Be kind to your joints while increasing aerobic and muscle conditioning in a low impact environment. Improve core strength without doing one sit-up! Classes offered at various times during the week.
Boot Camp
This class offers high intensity workouts that promise to increase both strength and endurance. Join others in the early morning hours, or late afternoons as they kick, jump, punch, push, and run to higher levels of fitness.
F3 Boot Camp
Is your workout maximizing every gift you have been given? To find out, come to this early morning boot camp that promises to truly challenge all areas of your wellbeing. This class will push you to the limit as it helps you better yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Capoeira
With its Brazilian roots, Capoeira provides a fabulous blend of athleticism, martial arts, and artistry. This class is designed to challenge aspects of your cardiovascular system, strength, balance, and endurance. By attending this class you will not only enjoy physical training, you will also enjoy the community atmosphere offered while learning this form of art.
Circumference
You might have experienced other indoor cycling classes, but you have not truly experienced indoor cycling until you have experienced Circumference. Come full circle as you improve your cardiovascular endurance, and tone your entire body. Participants should arrive early for seat adjustment instructions and make sure to bring a towel and water…..you WILL need both!
Zumba
Come and enjoy the fun while experiencing a full body workout. Move to music that is energizing and high-intensity as you increase your endurance level and improve your overall body tone.
Phase I Fitness
This is the place to get started with resistance and cardiovascular training; doing so in the non-aggressive environment of our group exercise room. Phase I uses easily adjustable machines that are set up in a circuit format. Join us on Mondays at noon to learn the proper use and benefits of mild resistance and cardiovascular training.
Core Performance
Your body’s performance depends upon the strength of its core! This class is sure to help you perform better in all that you do. Increase stabilization while increasing strength during this 45minute class.
Step Aerobics
Get your heart pumping while strengthening your legs in this high- energy class. Maximize your results with the use of traditional step moves as well as the use of new and innovative step choreography. (Sara can add more if needed)
“Push”
If you are looking to better define your muscles while gaining strength, this class is where you need to be. It will offer a dual workout for both lower and upper body. From those who are just beginning a workout plan to the more fit individuals, this class will for sure challenge all aspects of strength and endurance.
Yoga
Come and participate in a full body workout, while toning, and improving flexibility. Techniques that will be used during this time together will be beneficial in all areas of your wellness journey. Classes will be offered in both indoor and outdoor venues allowing participants to become fully engaged in their workout experience.
Bouldering 101
Come to the bouldering wall for this class and learn how to take your training to a different height! Instructors will train you how to safely and efficiently gain fitness from the sport of bouldering. Information of what equipment you will need for this class can be obtained at the member services desk.