Group exercise classes offered at the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center will be changing this semester to better benefit students and alumni.
“We have added more classes at the 5:30 p.m. time slot to respond to the popularity of that time,” said Joel Swedlund, Executive Director of the Rec Center.
Last semester the classes consisted of Zumba, Circumference, Water Aerobics, Yoga, Boot Camp and Core Performance. This semester Zumba Toning, Family Fitness and WholyFit Yoga will be added to the schedule. No classes have been deleted from the schedule.
“We’re excited about the new classes and hope the students will continue to give us their feedback regarding our group exercise class offerings,” Swedlund said. “We want to be responsive to ideas and suggestions of all our members.”
Zumba Toning incorporates light, hand-held weights in a typical Zumba workout, Family Fitness offers the opportunity for families, i.e. alumni families, to participate in various fitness activities together and WholyFit Yoga combines physical fitness with spiritual reflection.
“WholyFit is a Christian alternative to yoga,” said Tiffany Sheffield, junior communications major and group exercise instructor. “When I pursued a certification as a yoga instructor, I had to sign my name that I would practice yogic philosophies–including 25 hours of chanting.”
In addition to new group fitness classes, there will be different instructors for some of the returning classes. Sheffield will be instructing Core Performance.
The addition of new classes will make it more convenient for students and alumni to participate in group exercise and offer a spiritual exercise similar to yoga.
“WholyFit provided me a way to receive all of the same physical benefits from yoga and even more spiritual benefits because there is a heavy emphasis on devotion and meditation of scripture as you practice specific postures,” Sheffield said. “I am very thankful that the Lord led me to WholyFit and I am glad that so many people here at ACU enjoy it as well.”
