Colorado Mesa University (CMU) students showed out to GroupX classes Monday and Tuesday Aug. 27-28, 2024, as part of Hamilton Rec Center’s Rec Week. Programming featured two nights of group fitness classes as well as a Wellness Night to learn about the other services offered at the Rec Center.
“It thinks it’s just a great way for freshmen to come out and learn about the Rec Center and really understand the resources that we have here and utilize them,” said senior marketing major Brittany Sandoval.
GroupX classes, which run Monday through Saturday from morning to evening, offer a chance for students to experience exercise in a fun and beginner-friendly environment.
“I know before I came to Mesa I never really went to the gym or anything and so with [Rec Week], I would definitely go to yoga,” said Sandoval.
Along with helping fitness beginners explore different ways to exercise, Group X classes also help students connect and find friends within the Mavily.
“My mom was a spin instructor my whole life so I grew up going to her classes. When I came to CMU I took some spin classes which is where I first made friends,” said CMU spin instructor Maddie Price.
The friendly and welcoming environment cultivated in GroupX classes encourages shy students to continue attending once they find their footing.
“The cool thing about group exercising is that everyone wants to be there so you won’t have someone who’s killing the vibe,” said graduate social work student Bernice Rosales.
In addition to GroupX classes, Hamilton Rec Center also offers a variety of personal wellness services such as massage, nutrition counseling, personal training and wellness assessments. Having a variety of fitness and wellness services on campus that are free or low-cost and easy to access doesn’t go unnoticed.
“A lot of students come from places where health and fitness, anything health-wise, was not easily accessible. I love that CMU makes it available to all students,” said Rosales.
Students receive discounted rates on all of the services offered at Hamilton Rec Center, and many are free for student access specifically.
“I’m definitely going to be utilizing the massage prices as a student this coming year,” said Sandoval.
To encourage new students to drop into the classes, freshmen were entered into prize drawings if they attended any GroupX classes on Monday or Tuesday. Rec Week concluded with a Capture the Flag game at Foster Field House on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
