Kierra Thompson, a freshman studying art, frequents the Fitness Center in the John W. Hart Building. She enjoys going to all the different fitness classes that are offered.

“I’ve been to yoga, hip-hop, and the abs classes,” Thompson said. “I also want to try the cycling classes.”

Rebecca Escoto, a junior studying communication, attends multiple fitness classes each week with her roommates. 

“It’s kind of a push-yourself workout environment,” Escoto said.

The Fitness Center offers free classes six days a week. The classes cover different kinds of aerobic exercise. 

In total, there are 11 different classes available multiple times each week. 

Some are classic aerobic classes, like cycling, step aerobics, water aerobics, yoga, Abs that Rock, Hi-Lo and
circuit training.

Other classes are less traditional, like Umba, which is an aerobic workout using Latin dance moves; or Turbo Kick and Kick It, which both combine martial arts with boxing, or hip hop. 

Escoto attends Abs that Rock and yoga every week. “Abs is hard core, and in yoga you work on muscle tone and breathing,” Escoto said. “It’s nice to get two different sides.”

Students can take advantage of these classes to learn new exercise skills. Beginners are always welcome. 

“I don’t really feel like a beginner, because even if I don’t know the exercise, they try to keep it on a level where anyone can get something out of it,” Thompson said.

There are also classes that cater to pregnant women. There is a special beginning yoga class as well as
water aerobics.

Thompson said the Fitness Center compares to other professional classes she’s been to. “Even though most of the instructors at the [other gyms] were older with certifications, these classes are just as good,” Thompson said.

 A calendar of all the fitness classes is available on the Fitness Activities Web site, at activities.byui.edu/fitness.