By Mackenzie Prince
The University of Maryland offers free fitness classes for students to promote campus-wide practices that support both mental and physical health.
From yoga flow to boxing conditioning, UMD RecWell offers a series of 15 group fitness classes, ranging in difficulty and intensity, according to their website. All classes are led by certified instructors and teachers.
Aine Heron, a freshman government and politics major, has participated in numerous fitness classes in the past, which motivated her to try power yoga classes on campus.
“[The class] usually starts with a few minutes of meditation and introspection,” Heron said. “We, then, complete a variety of stretches that focus on different muscles.”
Heron explained that each class concludes with a moment of gratitude, honoring the practice of yoga itself and the participants’ mental and physical well-being.
Classes are held Monday through Sunday at one of the three campus locations: Eppley Recreation Center, Ritchie Coliseum and Regents Drive Garage.
While Regents Drive Garage may seem like an unconventional location, it has offered a cycling studio and multi-purpose room since Feb. 18, 2017. This studio was created after Cole Field House lost fitness space during its renovation, according to an article by The Diamondback.
Dulcinia Rubio, a RecWell yoga instructor, teaches classes at all three locations, noting experiences that are specific to each location.
“At Regents [Drive Garage], instructors can use little galaxy lights, which I love,” Rubio said. “With Ritchie [Coliseum], you got to learn to love it, since it’s across campus. People that come to Ritchie actually want to come to take your class, [which] shows me ‘Wow, I’m doing a good job.’”
Rubio first began teaching three years ago, while pursuing her master’s degree at UMD.
“I love the practice of yoga, I love teaching, and I really enjoy teaching college students,” Rubio said. “I feel like I have connected with so many students here, and I love watching them grow from freshmen to seniors.”
Beyond building community between students and their instructor, fitness classes offer opportunities to harvest meaningful relationships outside of the studio.
Giana Coloma, a sophomore marketing and management major, planned a sisterhood cycling class for her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.
“A lot of sisters requested to go together, because they wanted to build that sense of community,” Coloma said. “The instructors are always so fun, the music is great, and it’s definitely an uplifting environment.”
Coloma continued, explaining how group fitness classes are a great outlet for all students and motivate those who may feel intimidated going to the gym alone.
“[My experience] has made me want to become an instructor myself, and these classes have helped me to fall in love with fitness,” Coloma said.
Whether it’s with RecWell or off-campus, group fitness classes are a positive way to strengthen connections with peers and make time to focus on one’s personal well-being, according to Heron.
“[By] having something that completely takes you away from your current stressors and focuses on how your body is feeling, it can improve your mental health significantly,” Heron said. “I encourage everyone to try it out, even if it’s just a beginner’s class.”
Featured Image: Upon entering Regents Drive Garage, visitors can head upstairs to the parking levels or downstairs to access the studios. Photo by Anika Stikeleather.