The semester is winding down and finals week is fast approaching. The stress and anxiety that accompanies this time of the year can affect our sleep and study habits. [More]

Like many of us around campus, we enjoy getting a good workout in whether it is weight training or cardio. But, if you are like me, finding the energy to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes is extremely hard. Many of the days I would tell myself to do some sort of cardio I would end up jogging a mile, get bored, and go lift instead. That is until my friend introduced me to the cycling, or “spinning,” classes they offer at the UREC. At first I was a bit skeptical, being a guy a “spinning” class does not sound very appealing. Men should lift, not ride stationary bicycles, right? No not necessarily. Through some convincing and a promise from my friend it will be an awesome workout I decided to sign up. Five minutes into the ride I was already dead and wanting to stop, yet there was still 40 minutes left. I rode through it and when the class was over I was exhausted but very satisfied with how good the workout felt. A good workout will challenge you throughout and the cycling class definitely gets the job done. Not only that, but the instructor was very encouraging and the music was precise to the intervals and speed we rode. Plus, riding next to my friend we were able to compete against each other and push each other as well. I strongly recommend a cycling class to anybody who is interested in getting a hard and demanding, but fun and fulfilling workout. You will not regret it.

We can all relate the workout boost we receive when a good song comes on our MP3 player or over the stereo at the gym. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine a pre-MP3 player workout where most people had nothing to listen to while out running or in the pool. I have to admit, that I’ve used forgetting my iPod as an occasional excuse to skip my run. The inspiration we feel when our favorite songs come up is even supported by research, as there are studies showing up tempo music can make us move faster without noticing the extra work we are doing. Some studies report a 15% increase in endurance in athletes who exercise to music. [More]

Appearance is a consequence of fitness--Years ago I had a long time client give me a piece of paper after one of our sessions. On this piece of paper was scribbled the following: Pull-ups x 25, Deadlifts x 50, Pushups x 50, 24-Inch Box Jumps x 50, Floor Wipers x 50, Single Arm Cleans x 50, Pull-ups x 25. “What is this?” I asked. “The 300 Workout,” he replied. “And I want to do it,” he added. “I think if you did this, you might die,” I said. “We might be able to do this over the course of a couple sessions, sure.” “No. This is a single workout that you are going to get me to do, Matt. And you are going to time me doing it.” That was my introduction to the 300 workout... [More]

I love trying out all of the classes that I see at the Student Recreation Center. However, the TRX class seemed a little intimidating. I finally had the opportunity to try out the class and it went great! When I first walked in, there were a bunch of straps hanging from a giant structure in the middle which I had no clue how to use. To my delight, the instructor was very friendly and energetic. He showed me how to adjust the suspension straps for my body (you want the handles to be at upper calf to your knee height) so I was quickly prepared to start the class. [More]

As the semester is winding down, so are my responsibilities. I have little work left to and that leaves next week's schedule relatively free. I am excited not only because school is ending, but because it is happening at a great time - right before Sweat the Stress! Sweat the Stress is a week where the Rec Center offers free fitness classes to all members during finals week. Upon discovering all of my free time, I grabbed a Sweat the Stress fitness class schedule and then proceeded to map out which classes I could take each day, Monday through Friday. I am excited to take advantage of both anaerobic and aerobic classes that are scheduled back-to-back to get a complete work out in each day. Even if you have a busy schedule, it is also important to take time for yourself and squeeze in that hour work out so that you thinking clearly on your last tests. I encourage all to join me next week as we finish the year out strong with fun and maybe new ways to work out by exploring fitness classes.

If you are in need of a new playlist for working out, then look below for a UREC Fitness Class favorite. It is played during many classes here at the SRC, especially TRX. This playlist is full of both older and newer modern rock songs that will hopefully get you in the mood to work-out! Modern Rock Playlist: Yellow – Coldplay Broadway – Goo Goo Dolls If Your Gone – Matchbox 20 Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse All the Small Things – Blink 182 Beautiful Day – U2 Higher – Creed Hemorrhage – Fuel With Arms Wide Open – Creed Then the Morning Comes – Smash Mouth I Think God Can Explain – Splender Wonderful – Everclear Enjoy your new playlist and check back next Friday for another featured playlist!

Walking past a fitness class always pumps me up because blasting through the doors is the best mix of exhilarating music pumping out the speakers.  I’ve always wondered how the fitness instructors construct their playlists, are they born musically inclined?  Or are they practiced at creating a wonderful workout environment?  I took to the hallways to find a class that sounded inspiring. It didn’t take long until I heard a playlist I wanted to know more about, it came from a cycling class taught by Cairistiona (Cairisti) Flatley, pictured below. Cairisti joined UREC in July and is currently teaching cycling and Pink Gloves Boxing.  She has been a group fitness instructor for 4 years!  When I asked about her playlist she became very excited, “I believe music is one of the most vital elements for a successful group fitness class,” Cairisti said.  She went on to mention the importance of finding music that moves you while you’re working out. Cairisti said she’s eclectic when it comes time to make a playlist for her fitness class.  “I like to choose some current pop songs, some oldies, some rock, and some of my personal favorites; anything that I think will get people excited and motivated,” Cairisti said.  By doing this she feels there’s a little something for everyone. Preparation is the key to success when it comes to many things in life, and crafting a playlist isn’t any different.  “It takes me at least an hour to design a cycling class and make a playlist,” Cairisti said.  Below is a private playlist she provided me to share with you!  Work songs: Easy Love- MSTRKRFTIf I Was You (OMG)- Far East MovementHere it Goes Again- OK GoSeven Nation Army- The White StripesPause- PitbullYou Make My Dreams Come True- Hall & OatesLonely Boy- The Black KeysRockstar (Jason Nevins Remix)- N*E*R*DHello- Martin Solveig & DragonetteBlackout- Breathe ... [More]

Rejoiced after the New Year, I was excited to finally get exercising and obtain that same, great feeling I had about my body when I participated in high school sports. I decided to sign up for a class at the UREC. With three labs this semester, my schedule was not very flexible. But, I knew that I needed that extra little push from an instructor and I couldn’t rely on myself to get to the gym every day. I settled on an AM Sunrise Spin/Cycling Session. The class starts at 6AM and last for 75 minutes. Today was my first day at class. Due to snow and the snooze button, I was around 10 minutes late. The class was not what I expected, but I was very impressed. The instructor was upbeat and pushed each of us to our limits. She reminded us that what we put into this class is what we will get out of it. You have the option to alter the resistance of your bike at any time increase the intensity of your ride. Although the instructor pushed us, I never felt uncomfortable or harmed. It was a great way to start out my day. After the class this morning I’m feeling very refreshed. Exercising in the morning is supposed to boost your metabolism and potentially last for 24 hours which so far I would agree with. I have also noticed that I am more alert and paying better attention to details. If I would do anything to change my experience I would have gone to bed earlier so I could have been on time to the class. I plan to be on time for the next class though! I am so excited that I had a good experience and was actually able to wake up. I hope over the course of the semester I see the results of my efforts!

After a nice long winter break, the students are back for another semester of school! The Rec Center also had a break with a few days off and a Closed Week to do our semi-annual deep clean. We are glad to have the majority of students back in town though as we are quickly gearing up for Fitness Demo Week, IM Sports and Fitness Classes all beginning on Monday, January 9th. This spring on our blog you can look out for more stories about fitness, eating, health and even a few different series. We are excited to be writing again and look forward to a late winter and spring of adventures, both inside and outdoors. If you have topics that you would like us to address this semester, please write them below!