While many people always rave about workout classes at Tremble, TruFusion and Body Hot classes, some of us wonder how to get in a great group workout without spending hundreds of dollars on a membership.
The Herbert Wellness Center classes are completely free to students, so let’s test how they compare with five days of different group workout classes.
Day 1: Cycle & Jam at 7:30p.m.
A great workout, but it felt like maybe I was in the wrong skill bracket.
Instructor Deirdre encouraged us to stay in the 70 – 100 cycles per minute range for the entire class. I personally think it’s not the right call if you’re just getting into cycling. The pace was challenging, and at times it felt like my legs were fighting for their life.
The vibe was all very 2010s: Tumblr-eqsue motivational screensavers projected at the front, plus songs by Maroon 5 and the Black Eyed Peas.
The only thing that saved me from giving up was when “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z came on for our final push.
I left feeling sweaty and very humbled, but I’d say it’s a rewarding session.
Day 2: Yoga sculpt at 6p.m.
Full body movements and core work was the focus of this class, but don’t let the word “yoga” fool you.
This was not a slow, stretchy session. Yoga Sculpt mixes traditional flows with light weights and bursts of cardio, like the surprise mountain climbers towards the end of class.
The music was energetic and modern, which helped keep the energy high even during the tougher sequences.
You’re constantly switching between balance, strength and endurance, which makes the workout fly by. If you want something that feels athletic but still rooted in yoga form, this class hits that middle ground perfectly.
Day 3: ReggaeTONE at 5p.m.
This class absolutely gets your heart rate up.60 minutes of intensity, ReggaeTONE combines the core, stability and muscle toning elements of pilates with upbeat songs.Surprisingly, though, none of which were reggae.
The instructor keeps things fun with easy-to-follow combos, but the constant movement means you’re sweating almost immediately.Expect squats, lunges, planks and pulses that sneak up on you.
Day 4: Mindful Yoga at 7:30pm
Mindful Yoga with instructor Henry.You’re encouraged to go at your own pace, and our class had a mix of all skill levels: from beginners to people who were practicing advanced sirsanas.
This session felt very focused on balance, breathing and strength, but didn’t push too hard to the point of discomfort. We began and ended with slow, controlled stretches, with faster-paced movement in between.
Mindful Yoga leaves you feeling calm and renewed, like you finally unclenched your shoulders for the first time this week.
Day 5: Cycle & Jam at 5:30p.m.
In the words of instructor Melina, Friday’s Cycle & Jam session “sucks so good.”The packed class had so much energy. With fellow cyclers whooping and celebrating, it really makes you feel like you can keep going.
We stayed at a more manageable range of around 50-80 rpm, which was accompanied by throwback songs everyone knows.
Melina’s passion for cycling is so infectious. She encourages everyone to sing along- which is a sweet idea that would work better if everyone wasn’t so out of breath.
Melina says that, “it’s this part, seeing everyone afterwards… it fosters such a beautiful community” that makes her love being an instructor.
“You meet all these people that I would’ve never met.” She even has plans to go to a concert soon with someone she met through teaching.
“It kicks your ass too,” she added.
At the end of the session, she handed out cold, lavender scented towels for everyone to cool off while stretching.Overall, you can tell that she has a genuine love for being an instructor, and asks everyone to send song suggestions to her instagram, @melina.spins.
She teaches these Cycle and Jam sessions every Wednesday at 7p.m., and Fridays at 5:30p.m.
After five straight days of these classes, I can absolutely say I’ll be joining again. Classes are usually pretty full, but going with friends makes the energy even better.
For workouts that are fun, challenging and cost literally zero dollars, the Wellness Center classes hold their own against the big-name studios people brag about on social media.
Safe to say, you get more than what you pay for.
