Circuit Training, Kickboxing, Power Yoga and Pilates are just some of the different Group Fitness Classes that the Student Recreation Center offers.

Megan Strauss, head fitness instructor said the REC offers classes Monday through Thursday, from morning till nighttime to accommodate people’s schedules.

“We got everything from the morning to the afternoon and through the night, we just added a 7 a.m. yoga, since we saw some people had 8 a.m. classes but wanted to exercise before,” Strauss said.

Strauss said the different classes range from high intensity to classes of more relaxation like yoga.

“We have something for everyone, and something for everyone to try that is out of their comfort zone,” Strauss said.

Strauss said the classes are beneficial not only to someone’s health, but also the classes are a fun group setting if they are not huge on exercise and having an instructor can motivate people to workout.

“It’s a great place for people to come in and not be unsure of their workout, because someone has already thought of it for them,” Strauss said.

Strauss said she teaches HIIT Focus and Circuit training classes, and being on her third year teaching and being a group fitness graduate assistant she loves doing it.

“It is a way for me to get into the studios and see the people actually coming to our classes, get to know them and see what they like so I can pass it along to all of our other instructors,” Strauss said.

Strauss said the classes would also be offered in the spring, but with a different schedule and possibility an addition of more classes being added.

Madeline Wilson, senior dietetics major has taught fitness classes for two years and currently teaches Circuit Training, Rock Bottom and Ultimate Conditioning said she wanted to teach because since she exercises, she wanted to share what she knows with other people.

“I thought incorporating what I do with the class, there is nothing better, I love fitness and sharing my love for fitness so I figured I might as well just teach people what I know through group fitness,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the class she teaches does a mixture of strength and cardio conditioning, as well as weight training.

Wilson said she believes fitness is important and people should get active because of how important staying healthy is in her life

“I think in order to live a healthy lifestyle you need to do physical fitness and exercise,” Wilson said.

AJ Fournier can be reached at 581-2812 or ajfournier@eiu.edu.