No need to sweat it out alone at Plex

As you run on the treadmill at the Plex with your iPod, US Weekly, and liter-sized Poland Springs water bottle in hand, you tell yourself not to do it. Don't look at the screen. Don't look. You shouldn't have to know the exact number of calories, seconds, and miles per hour of your workout. At least you came to the gym.

But you can't help it; the US Weekly goes flying, your eyes meet the screen, and the blinking red numbers glare back at you: 4 minutes, 36 seconds. You've burned 53 calories.

To avoid the tediousness and repetition of a typical day at the gym, students are turning to group exercise classes. These classes can satisfy the craving for zest in one's exercise diet, and offer respite from the crowded, machine-cluttered confines of the Plex.

One reason for the popularity of group exercise may be the flexibility of the classes.

"The size of our program and the variety of classes offered gives all genders, ages, and fitness levels at least one class that they can benefit from," said Angelica Vlahos, group exercise supervisor. "They have a selection of land and water based classes; cardiovascular based classes with or without choreography, impact or no impact; strength and functional training; stretching; relaxation; and cross training."

The instructors themselves can also be credited for the recent spike in group exercise enthusiasm. They are almost all certified by Nautilus Cycle Training, Reebok Core Board Training, or the Power Pilates Mat Certification.

"The instructors are half of the reason why the classes are so popular," said Vlahos.

"Sometimes you just need a great coach to lead you through a workout. You will find yourself working harder, more efficiently, and with better technique. Often it is the structure that dictates the popularity of the class more so than just the class type."

And you don't have to climb a massive, pseudo-staircase to have fun and break a sweat.

Dance classes, such as Caliente, offer an hour of dancing and exercise with some flavor. Caliente includes steps from the salsa, meringue, samba, and mambo. Rumba offers a harder workout that incorporates Latin flavor and traditional floor aerobics.

"[Hip-hop classes have a] fun and comfortable atmosphere that teaches moves taken from the clubs or parties," said Whitnie Low, one of the Plex's hip-hop instructors and A&S '07. "It's not a serious class with proper placement and technical jargon,"

The yoga and pilates classes provide a more meditative and relaxing atmosphere.

"Yoga helps center more than my body, it centers my thoughts. It helps motivate me for class, and I've really come to make a routine out of it," says Martine Laurent-Russell, A&S '06, who attends Ashtana yoga regularly.

Pilates is like yoga, but focuses more on strengthening the body's center.

"Pilates is about strengthening core muscles, lengthening through stretching ... using your own body weight. I've definitely noticed this class become a huge hit," said Allie Dempster, A&S '08.

Group exercise classes aren't just for girls, either. Males benefit from the classes just as much as females. Core Board, Cycle, and Total Body Conditioning (TBC) offer the same intensity, or higher, of a workout on the fitness floor.

Males can use heavier dumbbells and adjustable barbells in repetition-focused classes, benefit from flexibility and strength in Yoga, and can get a "no frills, hardcore workout from the Basic Training class, which was created by BC'S ROTC instructors," says Vlahos.

There is also an entire slew of such workout-intense classes.

The Group Cycle class is challenging and intense, but welcomes beginners and all levels of experience. It is one of the few classes that requires a sign-up in advance.

"It's a good substitution for running or a treadmill workout," said Meghan Lortie, CSON '07. "Girls can burn up to about 500 calories, and 800 for guys."

Many students have also taken up Step for a weights and cardiovascular combination class. The class utilizes a platform and dumbbells to reach this dual objective. Many women feel they can burn calories but also strengthen and tone their muscles - a trend that has become a recent interest among females.

"This class is a good cardio/weights combination class," said instructor Kayleigh Pleas, A&S '08. "I've noticed more women doing weights than ever before."

All of these cardiovascular classes become especially popular at certain times of the year, specifically during winter, when you have to wait in line for a machine .

"After New Year's, classes are huge, and then it dwindles. Around finals they get smaller again. And then during winter, people have to wait in lines for machines, and it gets depressing, so they start coming to the classes more again," said Pleas.

There are also four new water fitness classes that stress low-impact, challenging exercises in the pool at the Plex.

Water Pilates provides muscle conditioning, strengthening, and stretching in shallow water, while the Deep Water class focuses on cardiovascular and freely-moving and comfortable movements underwater.

There is no reason to feel intimidated about physical fitness or past experience. Instructors and class participants are extremely welcoming and used to newcomers and will offer modifications or alternate exercises. For the first three weeks of each semester, instructors also run beginner classes to help new people get up to speed.

Most instructors and participants would agree with instructor Meghan Lortie, CSON '07, that "classes have definitely become more popular this year. I don't know why that is, but I have definitely seen a change."

So put aside your iPod, ditch the Stairmaster, and test out a class with a friend. Odds are you'll never bring a magazine to the gym again.