MICHAEL MANTEL/Daily Bruin Students kick, jab and punch
their way through Cardio Combat, offered three times a week at the
Wooden Center.
By Katie Younglove
Daily Bruin Contributor
[email protected]
Before many students are even awake, members of the Cardio
Combat & Yoga class are hopping back and forth, striking an
imaginary perpetrator to the beat of Britney Spears.
The instructor, Lisa Danylchuk, a fourth-year communication
studies student, counts down reps into her headset and holds a
punching pad in front of the fatiguing fists to encourage more
forceful blows.
It is another Friday morning in the Wooden Center.
Peek into the rooms of the Wooden Center throughout the week and
you will see sweating bodies moving to music. For $15 per quarter
students can purchase a Fitness Pass, which allows unlimited
participation in a variety of classes.
With names such as Ballerina Bootcamp, Platinum Funk and
Elasticity, the workouts cater to a wide range of interests and
fitness levels.
“The strength of our program is variety,” said Elisa
Terry, manager of the recreation class program. “Classes are
a great way to get in all aspects of fitness because they are based
on fitness guidelines and contain everything you need.”
The participants, mostly college-age women, range from
first-timers struggling to pick up the moves, to regular attendees
who imitate the instructor precisely.
For anyone interested, the key is to find a class that fits your
needs. Are you looking to improve aerobic capacity? How about
increased flexibility? Would you prefer to weight train or
strengthen a specific body part?
The workouts are classified based on the complexity of
choreography and level of intensity, so participants can select
workouts that correspond with their personal fitness goals.
“I definitely like taking classes better than working out
on my own,” said Lynette Burnside, a fourth-year geology
student who attends aerobics classes in the Wooden Center daily.
“It is much more motivating and easier to fit (exercise) into
a schedule when you know you have to be here at a certain
time.”
Tae Bo, taught by certified instructors from Billy Blanks’
studio, is the most popular class and a favorite of Burnside. The
class consistently draws long lines of students eager to work out
with Blanks of infomercial fame. Each week students pack into the
gym to execute synchronized kicks and jabs, taking out their
aggression while burning calories.
Of course, anyone who prefers a smaller venue can drop in for
less crowded classes.
In Guts, Butts and Thighs, students squat, lunge, and squeeze
their way to a smaller jeans size. Sets-n-Reps is a
strength-training course that uses the same equipment as the weight
room in a less intimidating environment. A live drummer provides
the background beat for Shaka-Laka-Stomp, a class choreographed by
Kim G., which blends dance and rhythm.
And despite the temptation to fall in love with just one class,
the best thing might be to mix things up a bit.
“If you just go running everyday you will develop the
strengths of a runner and the weaknesses of a runner,”
Danylchuk said. “If you cross-train, you get the strengths of
a lot of different workouts, and your weaknesses will be spread
out.”
With all of the innovative options available at the Wooden
Center, it is not hard to follow her advice.