Balance Challenge is a month-long Group Exercise (GroupEx) event designed to help students find balance, stay motivated, and have fun while working out. The event, which began on March 30 and wraps up tomorrow, April 26, encourages participants to attend three GroupEx classes each week—one mind/body class, one traditional GroupEx class, and one cycle class. Participants who complete 12 classes by the end of the challenge will earn Campus Rec prizes, such as a novelty Balance Challenge T-shirt!

Participating is simple: head to the Anna Fascitelli Fitness & Wellness Center to pick up a challenge card at the display window on the second floor. Register for classes via IMLeagues, where all GroupEx classes open for registration one day prior to the scheduled session. Attend your classes and mark off each one on your card to track your progress.

But it’s not just about the weekly classes—instructors have brought the energy all month long with themed spotlights and surprise pop-up sessions. These bonus events offer a chance to try something new and discover potential favorites.

I participated in one of the circuit-style GroupEx classes, and while it was physically challenging, it was incredibly rewarding. The workout was structured to target every major muscle group while pushing endurance through a mix of strength and cardio-focused exercises. We rotated through three sets each of Romanian deadlifts, goblet squats, and moving weighted lunges to fire up the lower body.

This was followed by three sets each of incline dumbbell presses, barbell rows, and face pulls to engage the upper body. The class wrapped up with three sets each of medicine ball slams, kettlebell swings, and intervals on the erg rowing machine. This full-body workout kept my heart rate up and my muscles burning in a way I really enjoyed.

The Balance Challenge provides a fun, flexible way to stay active and committed. The variety of classes—taught by our supportive instructors—allows students and staff alike to build lasting wellness habits.

Thank you and congratulations to all who participated in and are completing the Balance Challenge!