Classes at Plex offer workout alternatives

Have you ever wanted a good workout without waiting forever to get a machine? The Plex offers a wide variety of daily group exercise classes for every fitness level.

Group exercise classes are divided into four categories: cardio-vascular training, muscle conditioning/toning, circuit/interval training and mind and body. Frank Locasio, assistant director of fitness and facility operations at the Plex, said the gym offers a total of 14 different cardio vascular conditioning classes and five different mind and body classes.

"Group exercise generally is a more enjoyable format for people and its appeal is that it's a lot more convenient," Locasio said.

"[Group classes] are an especially good benefit for us considering we only have two full-time trainers who are in very high demand in the fitness center with a long waiting list. However, if people need assistance for their program and they want to get a workout in without having to go through planning and design, it's the convenience of the program that is the best endearing quality," he added.

Classes are available seven days a week with no signups, so students are free to explore a variety of fitness options.

"What we try to offer at BC is a huge variety in classes and at different times," said Angelica Vlahos, aerobics coordinator and BC '95.

"Generally, [classes] are offered at noon and in the evening from 4:30-8:30. We've tried 6 a.m. classes before and had a very low turnout, along with trying 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. classes. The morning classes typically didn't seem to work out because of regular class schedules," Vlahos added.

Since she took over the program in 1998, Vlahos has seen many changes in the group classes.

"One thing we added this year is the 8:30 p.m. slots because the Plex is now open with later hours. Because the class sizes were doubling, there was a need for other classes. Now that this whole mind-body movement has moved in, it's not just tae-bo, there is tae-box. There is muscle conditioning, Pilates and yoga. Since I've taken over the program I've added all those classes, prior to which there were only step and aerobics," Vlahos said.

John Pagliarulo, assistant athletic director of recreation, said the group exercise program has grown tremendously. "From what we offered, it is probably five times more than what we used to offer," he said.

"The variety and quality of classes is top notch. This semester and last semester we've had a lot of success with a class called Basic Training, in which a real life marine corporal runs the class in a military style. It's a complete strength training and cardiovascular work out in less than an hour," Locasio said.

"The main reason [for the classes] is to workout in a group setting and have a variety of things to do," Vlahos said. "If you're not a dancer, you can go to basic training. If you like kick boxing you can do that. You don't have to stick to one thing. Aerobics is multidimensional now."

Locasio said these classes at the Plex are comparable to other gyms. "Our program is better then what you'll find at any average fitness center because the size of our population is huge. Last year alone we had 4,227 participants in the fall of 2002 semester and 6,840 participate in spring of 2003 classes. Basically we service over 10,000 people a year," Locasio said.

"I've visited some college facilities like BU, MIT, and Northeastern, and I'd say that with the exception of not having a spinning class yet, we have more offerings than they have," Pagliarulo added.

Vlahos said 90 percent of the instructors are BC students and most are undergraduates. The Plex staffs 20 instructors and six substitutes. Instructors must go through an audition process along with fulfilling other requirements.

"The first requirement is they all have to be CPR certified in case of an emergency. Second, they have a basic knowledge of biomechanics and fitness in general. Third, the most important [requirement] is that they know how to teach and understand how they are teaching," Vlahos said.

"The most popular classes are Pilates, yoga and tae-box.," said Vlahos. This is the first year the Pilates class is being offered and anywhere from 20 to 60 women attend the any given class.

"Pilates and yoga don't have as much choreography, so you have a couple of extra seconds to make sure you are doing things right. The faster classes are good because they give you something new and a different perspective. Especially for girls it gives them a way to do weights without getting bulky," said Pilates instructor Cynthia Frelund, A&S '05.

"With the classes at the Plex geared for younger women, you can make it more challenging than at a regular gym where there are [members] of all ages. I have found the classes here more challenging than at home," said Pilates instructor Eileen Scheuch, A&S '05.

In addition, Vlahos said the "hip-pop" class has been a huge draw. Instructor Whitnie Low, A&S '07 said, "Hip-pop involves moves that you would see on TV to non-stop music. It's for people who want to get out and move. It's good cardiovascular to get your body moving for an hour and to have fun while you're doing it."

Dominick Fortino, CSOM '05, who teaches total body conditioning (TBC), fitball and a boot camp class said, "The major benefit of these classes, especially TBC and fitball, are teaching the correct form to people who aren't familiar with working out or need motivation to work out.

"Another benefit of strength and cardio is that you get both aspects of your workout wrapped up in less than an hour," he said.

Locasio said that class participants' feedback has been positive.

"I am especially impressed with the instructors and how well they lead the class. I think it's hard for students to instruct other students, but these instructors seem to have a good grip on things," said Ayisha Fryer, A&S '04.