Fitness classes at the Well provide students not only with health, but options as well.

From the hardcore bodybuilder to the unsure beginner, there is a class for everyone.

The Well offers a variety of fitness classes for the mind and body as well as for cardio and strength. Under these two themes, there are different types of classes to suit anyone’s personality, said Kendra Densmore, group fitness coordinator.

There is cardio kickboxing for those who want an intense exercise as well as yoga for those who want a more laid-back workout.

“We’re hoping this variety will encourage more students to exercise and enjoy it,” Densmore said. “We hope to give the students a variety of ways to reach their exercise goals.”

These classes were designed to encourage fun while exercising, Densmore said. It gives students the opportunity to improve their fitness the way they desire. All they have to do is choose what class they would like to take, when they want to take it, and pay a participation fee. These fees cover the passes that get students into the class.

“Students get an opportunity to work out in a fun, engaging atmosphere by a certified fitness instructor,” said Kate Costello, the Well’s assistant director. “This helps students with stress relief, improves self esteem by feeling accomplished and creates a supportive environment leading toward a healthy lifestyle. The classes are designed for beginning, intermediate, and advanced exercisers. So any and all are welcome.”

All of the classes have become increasingly popular with each passing semester. This semester alone, the fitness program has tripled its numbers on the students who participate in the classes, Costello said. Each class has an average of 15 to 20 students who take advantage of group fitness. It is great for people who want to have fun and be led through the exercises, she said.

Before the Well was built, the group fitness classes were offered in Yosemite Hall for a small participation fee. Since moving to the Well, the fitness program has expanded providing students with more options.

There are four payment options to suit how students want to control their workout.

There is a cardio/strength pass or a mind/body pass for $48 to cover the whole semester, an all-access pass to attend both types of classes all semester for $68, or a $3 drop-in fee to check out a class. The drop-in fee applies to every class a student would like to check out.

The money from these fees is used to cover the costs to have certified staff teach the classes and the operation of the building, Costello said.

Of the classes offered, the most popular is the Zumba class, with the Pilates and yoga classes following behind, Densmore said. None of the classes is considered unpopular; the classes that have the lowest attendance are the early and mid-morning classes, she said. Other than some low attendance, all the fitness classes are popular among the students.

Students who do take advantage of this program enjoy the variety and convenience that the classes provide schedules, said student Jamie Gajate. Students now have options in how and when they will squeeze fitness into their day.

“I enjoy being able to attend fitness classes in between my busy class schedule,” Gajate said. “I love that they are offered throughout the entire day.”

Having the classes on campus provides students with the convenience of staying at school and not having to lose their parking spot, Gajate said. They do not have to worry about driving to a gym and making it back in time for class.

“Having to drive through traffic cuts into my workout time,” Gajate said. “It’s too much of a hassle to even bother.”

The fitness coordinators plan to expand and add more variety and classes, Densmore said. They hope that more students will continue to come in and participate in the classes.

You can reach Stacey Adams at [email protected]