Claire takes on a week-long challenge of attending 10 RecXercise classes, highlighting the variety of fitness options available, the importance of stepping out of comfort zones, and the fun and camaraderie of group workouts.
I tried 10 Group RecXercise Classes In One Week
Here’s How It Went
I’d like to start this with a disclaimer: normally when I walk into the Rec, I clock in, sit down at my desk, and write articles. Last week, however, I spent way less time at my computer and more time sweating. Now, I’m no stranger to the gym– but with 18 credit hours and a part-time job, fitness took a backseat this semester. Sound familiar? I’m sure I’m not alone in this, so I decided to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to 10 RecXercise classes in the hopes that I could help find the right Fitness & Wellness class for us both.
1. Functional Core
For my first class, I wanted to pick something that would ease me into this week, and Functional Core was the right choice. The exercises were not too difficult and the workout was moderately paced, but the constant movement and burnout set at the end definitely had my heart pumping and my abs working overtime. At only 30 minutes long, this class was a great way for me to incorporate a quick ab crunch in my day without showing up to my next class drenched in sweat. This beginner-friendly class absolutely built functional strength that I can actually use outside the gym.
2. Cycle & Core
I walked into my second class of the week thinking, ‘How hard could it be, it’s just riding a bike, right?’ Famous last words. Cycle and core is an intense combo, and this class delivered. For the cycle portion, there were three rounds of a combination of standing, sprinting, and active recovery. I won’t lie to you, it was hard. But what I loved about it though was that at any point, I could personalize the difficulty. When I couldn’t stand up on the pedals anymore (I really tried y’all, pinky promise), I just sat down. When I couldn’t get the rotations per minute up, I lowered the resistance. Same goes for the core portion at the end of the class; there were plenty of modifications for every ab workout so participants can get the absolute most out of the class. If you enjoy getting sweaty with higher-intensity cardio, this class is for you. Also, the instructor, Francesca Breitenfeld ‘25, was on point with the playlist. Thanks girl, I needed that.
3. Yogalates
This class was exactly what I was looking for after that intense cardio sesh. It was relaxing and refreshing while still targeting muscles I didn’t even know I had (side note: this week of RecXercise classes taught me so much about different muscles, it’s honestly embarrassing how little I knew). Yogalates started with stretching, breath work, and traditional yoga poses before slowly transitioning into more moderate work with a pilates ring, and then into a slow, gentle cool-down. Whether squeezing with our ankles or pressing down with our palms, the Pilates ring did up the difficulty while maintaining very controlled movements. My hip abductors, for one, were feeling the burn. Overall, Yogalates was the perfect blend of stretching and strength. Instructor Bri Garrido ‘25 has a very soothing voice and the meditative music really gave me the headspace to focus on breathing and following through with the movements, while the Pilates ring really tested those muscle groups. This one is a class that’s gentle on the body but sneaky in how much strength it builds.
4. Roll & Recover
Roll & Recover sounded like the rest session my body was begging for, but it was also a great reminder that recovery is an essential part of any fitness routine. Armed with only foam rollers and good intentions, I spent the entire class rolling out every tight spot from my back to my calves. While some spots had me questioning all my life decisions (quads, I’m looking at you), by the end, I felt like I’d gained about two extra inches of flexibility and walked out with significantly less muscle tension. Whether you’re a RecXercise regular or just finished a workout in the Strength & Conditioning room, if you need to hit ‘reset,’ this is the class that’ll do it.
5. Zumba
When I tell you I was so nervous about this class, I mean that I was completely terrified of embarrassing myself. But boy was I wrong. From the first beat to the last, it was a high-energy, fast-paced dance party. There’s no time for overthinking—just watching the instructor and going with the flow. The moves were surprisingly easy to pick up, even for someone with my questionable coordination. Most of the combos had me feeling myself, and the few that I wasn’t able to pick up as quickly were still just so fun. I had a smile on my face the entire 45-minute class, and the instructor, Avery Hall ‘24, didn’t just lead the class–she owned it. The enthusiasm was contagious, and I’ll definitely be back, even when I’m not on deadline! If you’re looking to brighten your day while still getting some cardio in, this medium-intensity, high-impact class is the move (pun intended).
6. Hip Hop
After Zumba, I was ready to keep the dance party going, and Hip Hop didn’t disappoint. In this class, I learned a seriously cool combo that I will absolutely be performing again in my bedroom. It was fun, full of energy, and I may have thrown out a few moves I definitely did not learn from the instructor, Elizabeth McFarlane ‘24. What was nice about Hip Hop was that, unlike Zumba, the choreography was broken down step by step with counts, and then you tried it out for yourself. I liked that even though the class did get me moving, the focus was on learning the movements. Ultimately, this style of dance was completely new to me and I learned a ton, so don’t be intimidated if it’s new to you, too. Hip Hop was lower intensity, slower-paced, and an absolute blast, so I’m glad I took a chance and signed up.
7. Cardio Kickboxing
I was over halfway through the week and by this point, I was sore and exhausted. The perfect thing to keep me going? A medium energy, higher impact cardio class that wasn’t difficult but still new and fresh. I had no idea at all what kickboxing was, and it turns out it is just constant, dynamic movement. Throwing punches and kicks felt silly but empowering, and the pace kept my heart rate up the entire time. While it wasn’t totally my style, you’ll love Cardio Kickboxing if you want to get your body moving in a new way. The plyometric moves that mimic real boxing are great stress relievers, and I left feeling both energized and like I’d worked out some pent-up tension.
8. Party at the Barre
Barre was all about controlled, form-focused movements. Translation: My legs were shaking halfway through, and I remembered exactly why I didn’t do ballet past age six. We started on mats, doing squats and pliés, incorporating arm and shoulder workouts, and then transitioned into more challenging ballet-inspired exercises on the barre with resistance bands. Just when I thought my legs were going to fall off from all of the lunges, donkey kicks and rond de jambes, we moved back to the mats for abs and a cooldown. Party at the Barre was my second class with instructor Kara Powell ‘25, so I can say with confidence that she creates an incredibly welcoming environment in all of her classes. In all, I absolutely loved Party at the Barre: it was a full-body workout that had me feeling the burn in the best way. It’s low-impact but high-intensity, so it’s a great option for anyone looking to build strength without jumping around.
9. Step & Sculpt
By this point, it’s important to note that my legs and I were no longer on speaking terms. But, I walked into Step & Sculpt with my head held high, completely ready to stomp all of the feeling back into my quads. What surprised me was that this is a class that actually reminded me of the dance classes–I simply followed along with the instructor, learned a few fun combos, and then put it all together in a spectacular one-woman show of high knees, rocking horses, and broadway kicks. The combination of step exercises and toning hit every major muscle group, and by the end, I was feeling both sculpted and accomplished.
10. Fri-Yay HIIT
If I had a dollar for every squat I did this week, I could buy myself a new pair of legs. High-Intensity Interval Training is known for getting results quickly, and this class delivered. With tons of different fast-paced, powerhouse workouts, the time flew by. Instructor Lola Kiliddjian ‘26 definitely brought the exact motivation and energy I needed to push through the 45 minutes. I liked that every move was different, from BOSU ball burpees to lateral squats to floor drills. Fri-Yay HIIT was the kind of class that had me wearing the soreness like a badge of honor– it was high-energy, intense, and ultimately the perfect “finish strong” end to my week.
After surviving ten RecXercise classes in one week, I can confidently say two things: One, my legs may never forgive me, and two, there’s a class here for everyone. Whether you’re looking to dance your stress away, kickbox your frustrations out, or simply roll out those tight muscles (trust me, you’ll need it), these classes are the perfect way to shake up your routine—and have some fun while doing it. Fitness doesn’t have to be a solo jog on a treadmill; these group classes make it feel like a team effort, even when you’re trying to master a rond de jambe or survive your 57th squat of the day. So, if you’ve been eyeing that RecXercise schedule but haven’t taken the plunge, consider this your sign to give it a go. After all, I made it through 10 classes, and I’m still standing (barely).
If any of these classes caught your eye, sign up on the Rec Sports Fitness and Wellness page or on the mobile app. I’ll definitely be back for more Group RecXercise, and I hope to see new faces. Oh, and someone please remind me to bring a sweat towel next time.
