FitFest unveils the proliferation of GCU fitness

Photo by Ralph Freso / Slideshow

Senior Zulema Gomez I had just taught a spin class. Sophie Kalinke She glowed under the pink and deep purple skies of the Grand Canyon University campus.

“Especially in college, it’s a good way to let off steam,” she said. “I feel like it helps me become a happier person.”

Spin classes are the most popular offering in the GCU Fitness Department of Campus Recreation, which has grown steadily over the past few years. Up to 500 students a week participate in group fitness classes at his five gyms on campus, the Lopez Performance Center, or the Canyon Activity Center (CAC).

But the more the merrier. That’s what his FitFest was all about Wednesday night. Samples of spin, Pilates, boxing and other classes were offered outside on the CAC lawn as music blared and lots of calls of “up, up, down, down” and “wow!”

The mental health component Gomez talked about is very important.

“Physical health has a huge impact on mental health,” he said matt ram, Campus Recreation Director. “The more active you are, the greater the mental benefits you will reap.”

He said Gen Z is passionate about exercise, influenced by social media and the growth of form-fitting sportswear that makes people want to look good. That may be the motivation, but social growth is also a reward.

GCU Fitness hopes to host more campus events, such as FitFest, to introduce students to classes they may not have known about (register here for classes open to students and employees).

“It’s a lot of fun,” Gomez said of Verde Fitness Center’s spin class. “There’s LED lighting, so you can turn off the lights and there’s music playing. You just get lost in the music.”

“It’s a great way to meet friends and create a community of like-minded people who love fitness.”

It worked for my seniors. aiden burns. He had never been to a spin class, so he tried it out Wednesday night.

“It was a challenge, they really pushed you up. They make you get out of the saddle and my quads are killing me,” he said. “I’d like to try it.”

for Danette Stevenswho took over as fitness program coordinator in December, is the point of the event.

“We try to show that fitness is utilized in everyday life and gives them a sense of community, partnership and teamwork when they are attending class,” she said. Ta. “Many students come and say, “I met a friend in this class,” or “I learned how to lift properly,” or “This made me feel less homesick.” It’s great for new students. .”

Paige Sauerbreit I am one of 12 student instructors. The exercise science major said female students in particular like to come together and socialize during workouts.

“A lot of girls are intimidated or don’t know what to do in the gym. It’s great to have a fitness class that gives them community and a structure to just work out.”Pilates said Sauerbreit, who teaches. “It’s great to see the girls coming in get steadily stronger. When I taught a ‘Learn to Lift’ class, some of them couldn’t squat the bar, but at the end of the semester By now, I was squatting the bar with 10 pounds on each side. That’s what keeps me going. ”

Several sponsors and clubs attended FitFest, including the GCU Powerlifting Club, where students had fun seeing how well they could deadlift.

new student samantha altshuler He attempted a 270-pound deadlift and was unable to convert it, but was pleased with his success in lifting 135 pounds.

“It’s a good way to be active on campus. I wanted to work out with the community,” she said. “I might try it.”

Lifting clubs are also a good option, although there are fewer young men in group lessons. One person said of an evening with the group: We socialized between sets, had a great time, and went to Bible study.

Grand Canyon University Senior Writer Mike Killen can be contacted at: [email protected]