Last week, I participated in URI’s FITGO. FITGO is a bingo inspired wellness challenge that encourages students to attend group exercise classes, wellness events, and other Campus Recreation activities. Kicking off this past Saturday October 19th, students could receive FITGO cards with an array of different Campus Recreation challenges, encouraging students to get involved. After participating in FITGO, here’s what I found:

Group exercise is so much more than just working out! Group exercise provides a sense of unity. Following a structured routine with others helps me stay motivated and determined to complete a workout. Oftentimes when weight lifting by myself, I become distracted and fail to complete a workout. In group exercise, I feel a sense of accountability working out with my peers. This past Thursday, I attended Bella DeVivo’s, 8 a.m. Power Hour Pilates. Bella is a cycle and pilates instructor for URI Campus Recreation. She did a great job keeping the class motivated throughout the workout and taught a number of exercises. From easy to difficult skill sets, Bella was sure to make the class accessible for everyone. 

Not only do these classes provide a sense of community, but they prove to be learning opportunities. Bella’s class included a variety of exercises that were new to me. Some of these workouts I found especially effective and I will definitely incorporate them into my personal workouts. 

There are so many skills and passions that shape a group exercise instructor. I love trying out new exercise classes because it allows me to experience the different teaching styles of the instructors. During her pilates class, Bella was sure to continuously cheer us on and keep an uplifting mood in the studio. It is so encouraging to be taught by instructors that want to see us succeed. She gave me some insight as to how she as an instructor stays motivated, telling me that it is rewarding when she sees familiar faces at her classes. “I love when I have regulars that enjoy my class enough to come back. It makes the room feel more and more welcoming over time, and I love to see their progress each week,” she says. It is comforting knowing that while our group exercise instructors are motivating us, we are doing the same for them!

Bella has been instrumental in helping run FITGO. She relays,  “My favorite part about FITGO is the excitement it brings into our studios, whether it be from the regulars for that Sabrina Carpenter Cycle, or those excited for a new class offering that they can incorporate into their schedule.” I couldn’t agree more! FITGO is so successful  because it presents new workout classes and wellness events that students may have not tried before. Bella mentioned that we are in the midst of a difficult part of the semester. With midterms and Thanksgiving break seemingly out of reach, it can be easy to fall into a mundane routine and neglect our physical and mental wellness. With FITGO, we were presented with a variety of new and refreshing opportunities to better our emotional and physical well being. 

 

Alternative ways to unwind. As a student, club sport athlete, and employee, it can be easy to get caught up with schoolwork, practices, work, and other responsibilities of a college student. At times, I find it difficult to create methods to destress. Being a club sport athlete, I usually get my workouts in during team practice and lift. While I do love working out with my team, sometimes these workouts can prove to be more intense than I anticipate, taking away my ability to destress with physical activity. FITGO prompted me to try different strategies. I took a walk to the labyrinth, a part of campus I had never explored, which proved to be a relaxing break in my day. The Pilates Power Hour Class with Bella was held at 8 a.m. which changed up my routine a little. I had already completed a workout before my first class! While I am used to having practices and lifts after my classes, I found that completing a workout at the start of my day proved to be motivating and energizing, giving me a sense of accomplishment at just 9 a.m. Starting off the morning with a challenging, yet low intensity workout felt empowering and almost relaxing in a way. URI has a great variation of workout classes available to all students, switch up your routine and check out the classes here!

There is so much to explore with Campus Recreation. Although Group Exercise proves to be a popular component of Campus Recreation, I find that there are several other ways to get active with Campus Rec. One of which being reserving your own meditation room! This allows students to unwind with friends or solo in the privacy of their own space, not to mention, it’s free! Further, Campus Recreation holds wellness events on campus, check out information regarding these activities here! Other opportunities to get involved can be through our intramural sports or personal training programs! Although these are not a part of FITGO, they are Campus Recreation programs that promote being active and are beneficial to community building.. Be sure to follow us on social media, @uricampusrec to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities.  Get involved and find what activities resonate with you!