ManhattanLikesto“Move-It Move-It”inNewFitnessClasses

Brianna Coppola

Asst. Features Editor

The fitness center at Manhattan College is bringing back old and new classes and events for students. The classes range from yoga, Irish dance, break dancing, mixed martial arts, Zumba and cardio dance. Along with the fitness classes, MC offers Empowerment Hour, which takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2pm in the fitness center.

Each class and event allows students to try out many different forms of exercise. Yoga is located in Kelly Commons room 4C and is specifically a Vinyasa yoga class.Vinyasa is a Sanskrit term for flow and refers to alignment of breath and movement to create a dynamic, flowing form of yoga, according to MC’s Fitness and Wellness. Classes are held Mondays and Thursdays from 8-9 p.m.

Beginners breakdance offers all different types of styles and no experience is needed. In this class dancers will learn all the fundamentals and techniques necessary. You will learn transitions, footwork, freezes, basic power through drills, combos and top rocking, according to MC’s Fitness and Wellness. Breakdance is offered in Alumni Hall room 202 (mini gym).

The Irish dance class focuses on the group dances that could be performed at competitions or at social gatherings.

The goal of this class is to challenge students mentally and physically while also having fun, according to MC’s Fitness and Wellness. No experience is necessary, the course advertises. Classes are held on Tuesdays from 6:15-7 pm in Alumni Hall, room 202 (mini gym).

Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is a class that has a mix of boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With this mix, you will learn a hybrid dynamic striking style, according to MC’s Fitness and Wellness. No experience necessary. These classes are held on Tuesdays from 8-9 pm in Alumni Hall, room 202 (mini gym).

Cardio dance is an upbeat, hard working class that uses top hits music. The moves are easy to follow along with all while combining fast and slow rhythms. This class will tone and sculpt your body while burning fat, according to MC’s Fitness and Wellness, and no experience is necessary. Classes are held on Wednesdays in Alumni hall room 202 (mini gym) from 8:30-9:15 pm.

Every week these classes are full of students eager to try new forms of exercise and relaxation. Students at MC share their experiences.

Max Bennett, a freshman at MC, shared his experience and motivation for taking this fast pace, upbeat dance class.

“It’s very helpful towards people like me who have gym anxiety,” Bennett said. “In my experience, I get scared to go into the gym because it’s very intimidating, especially when you’re not the kind of person who typically looks like someone who goes to the gym. So, I think that it’s very beneficial for students who may want to live a more active lifestyle, but don’t know exactly where to start.”

Bennett has taken classes previously in the fall semester with Theresa Lavington, the dance instructor and hopes to continue to take classes and branch out to different ones.

“I continue to come back because I have fun,” Bennett said.

Vivian Nartey, a freshman at MC, shared her thoughts on the new fitness opportunities and expressed gratitude for the cardio dance class.

“I actually decided to come here because of my friend here [Max Bennett],” Nartey said. “He dragged me here and I don’t regret it. I’m really glad I did it. I’m not really used to doing stuff like this outside of the gym like different workouts. So, this was really fun.”

Nartey hopes to keep up with cardio dance class and to eventually try out beginners breakdance.

MiMi Lopez, a sophomore at MC, attended the yoga class on Thursday Feb. 2. She discussed her interest in yoga and the impact it has on her physical health.

“I just love the way that it makes me feel like I’m getting the exercise, but also not over exerting on my body,” Lopez said. “I do it multiple times a week.” There are several fitness classes around campus that are getting more popular. Lopez talks about the importance of more options.

“I think it’s such a good idea,” Lopez said. “I really liked the selection that they have right now. But I also think that there’s room for extra stuff, especially since we have a big population of physical education and physical therapy majors. I think that that is a really good opportunity to introduce people to new kinds of sports and different kinds of exercise.”

The fitness center brought back old and created new fitness classes to encourage students to get more involved. They’ve become a great way for students to branch out and step out of their comfort zone. Sometimes the gym can be intimidating, but the new classes are here to help students along the way.

Students can find information for classes on the fitness center page at manhattan.edu. Come join for some fun, hard working and relaxing classes.