Hardcore
As a freshman last year, I was utterly determined to keep that freshman fifteen off. So, when I discovered the free workout classes offered at the Rec, I was hooked! …and have been ever since!
The amazing thing about Vanderbilt that I’ve found is how we truly live by our unofficial motto: “Work hard, play hard.” All of my friends here are incredible students who are utterly focused on their academics and their future, but when the weekend roles around, they’re not afraid to let loose and enjoy the company of good friends.
To add yet another dimension to the typical Vanderbilt students, you can usual find them at the gym multiple times a week. Whether the motivation to work out is the result of a particularly wild weekend or just the drive to stay in shape and be healthy, a shocking amount of students put a high priority of physical fitness. That being said, the administration knows this and has done much to provide many outlets for students such as the Rec Center or the gym on Commons, lovingly known as the “Estro-gym” due to the higher percentage of girls who go there (there aren’t as many weight machines, which are a particular draw for guys).
Anyway, last year I discovered the free exercise classes that the Rec Center offers every week. Although they change slightly on a month-by-month basis, the really good classes tend to remain the same. The best part: all the classes are 100% FREE and they are taught by certified exercise teachers or certified students.
Click Here to download the schedule for February’s classes.
The types of classes offered are: (descriptions are taken from the Rec Center’s website)
- YOGA – for the experienced yoga participant, this class is designed to give you a great strengthening work-out!
- HARDCORE – The name is both a description and a goal! This is a 30 minute, intensive class that focuses on building core strength, endurance, and flexibility. Challenging exercises will target the lower and upper abdominals, obliques, back, and hip flexors. Modifications for beginners will be provided
- SPIN – a general spinning class for athletes of any level. This type of workout is mostly cardio, but is easy going on knees for those who need a break from more intensive workouts! But don’t underestimate it, spinning is a full workout!
- BOOT CAMP – An intense bootcamp style class incorporating high and low movements, plyometrics, and elements from the Navy Seal training program perfect for moderate to advanced fitness levels. Prepare to sweat and push yourself to the next level!
- BEGINNER YOGA – for those who have never tried yoga before, this class is for you. It will introduce you to the basics principles of yoga and begin to strengthen your mind and body.
- KICK/CARDIOBOXING – this is a class that combines martial arts kicks and punches into a high-intensity aerobic workout requiring of its participants a high level of endurance, strength, and flexibility. This class is designed for people seeking a fun-filled, high intensity, powerful workout! Two instructors may team up to give you a full hour of high-energy combinations and drills.
- HARDCORE – The name is both a description and a goal! This is a 30 minute, intensive class that focuses on building core strength, endurance, and flexibility. Challenging exercises will target the lower and upper abdominals, obliques, back, and hip flexors. Modifications for beginners will be provided
- HARDBODY – This intensive one-hour class focuses on the full body, particularly arms, legs, and core. Using equipment and body weight exercises, this class focuses on toning muscles with intermittent cardio intervals.
- BOTTOMLINE – this class is a great work-out for your, well, bottom-line! Anything below the belt will get a great workout, including rear end, abs and legs! This class might also include stability ball work with traditional toning challenges.
- TOPLINE – a great workout for your top or upper body, just the opposite of BOTTOM LINE. Topline focuses on arms and upper back using hand weights.
- STEP ‘N’ CORE – cardio and toning are merged for a medium to high intensity cardio workout with simple step aerobics choreography for the first portion of the class, followed by upper and lower body sculpting with weights and abdominal work. Can include toning with the stability ball for the sculpting portion of the class.
I have tried most of these and they’re GREAT!! Some are easier than others and there are a few that are super challenging–there is a workout class available for every level of exerciser! Although these classes were my little secret last year, the word has gotten out to the entirety of the student body. Last time I went to Hardcore, I couldn’t help but take a picture of just how many people were attending the class. (see for yourself below!)
