By Katelyn Halverson
By nature of Cornell’s vast, and tragically hilly, campus, Cornellians hardly have to struggle to achieve their daily 10,000 steps — making it all the more appealing to skip the gym. When the walk to and from your dorm leaves you in a state of caffeine-wired exhaustion, it's unsurprising how easy it can be to neglect your fitness goals. After all, why waste precious time on the stair master after grappling with the wrath of gravity on Libe Slope?
I’d argue that prioritizing exercise, although inconvenient at times, is especially beneficial for college students. Choosing fun, energizing workouts can break up the monotony of busy days, develop our self confidence, and carve out a sense of community here on campus. There is perhaps no better place to pursue these goals than alongside friends and classmates at Cornell's own group fitness classes.
Conveniently spread across North and West Campus, Noyes, Teagle Hall, Helen Newman and Appel Fitness Centers collectively offer a broad selection of workouts, from Cycling to Bare to HITT — all taught by kind and knowledgeable instructors. Having attended a number of these classes throughout the semester, I've compiled a few key takeaways from each that just might inspire you to attend!
Barre
Legend has it that “Cornell Calves” are built like steel, but this barre class casually disproves the myth within the first ten minutes. Barre targets select muscle groups using a combination of small, isometric movements, a rotation of three- to five-pound weights and an exercise ball. This class is vaguely reminiscent of the introductory ballet classes you may have taken as a child, only combined with the fiery muscle burn of pilates. I’ve taken barre with two different instructors, both of whom were excellent at offering corrections on form. Perhaps the best part about these classes, other than the expertly crafted playlists, is that it is adaptable to any skill level — just ask the lovely senior ladies I’ve seen at every class!
Zumba
If you love cardio-heavy workouts with a little bit of chaos, you'll love zumba. Our fitness centers offer both traditional and toning classes, but I personally prefer the latter for its emphasis on weight training. Regardless, expect to have both your heart rate and dopamine levels raised. For readers who might be unfamiliar with the practice, zumba is a beginner-friendly, high energy dance class fueled by blasting Latin music and contagiously positive vibes. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I seem to fall somewhere below beginner status, as I endured a significant hit to my ego trying (and failing) to keep up with the instructor for the full hour. But then again, being terrible at zumba might just be half the fun — call it the karaoke of fitness, if you will.
Yoga
On those days when it feels as though you've been operating on autopilot, thoughtlessly orbiting from classes to club meetings, yoga is ideal for practicing intentional mindfulness. Luckily, there is no shortage of options to choose from: offerings include, but are not limited to, “Slow and Intentional Yoga,” “Yoga with Meditation and Breathwork,” “Rockin Yoga,” as well as Vinyasa, Kripalu and Ashtanga-inspired flows. In my experience, Vinyasa might be the best starting point for beginners. None of the sessions I’ve attended are anywhere near as intimidating as strength- or cardio-focused classes, but it is perfectly normal to experience some discomfort as you become familiar with a new type of movement. All of the yoga instructors I’ve encountered are extremely welcoming to newcomers, offering clear instructions while encouraging each person to take the class at their own pace. As a side note: I’ve noticed many of these sessions tend to fill up quickly, so get there early if you want to score a spot up front!
HITT // Core Power
It was during this workout that I learned just how humbling 45 minutes and a pair of eight-pound weights can be. I can feel the soreness returning to my muscles simply recalling the sets involving a resistance band. This bootcamp-style workout may be a tad intense for some, but it also has a refreshing atmosphere of encouragement. I was particularly thankful for the instructor, who always came through with a much-needed push to help me get through those final reps. Having survived to tell the tale, I can attest that the feeling of accomplishment you walk out with makes all of the struggle (and the sweat) worthwhile.
Cycling
Cycling classes are a weirdly polarizing niche within the fitness bubble: you may try a class once and vow to never return, or end up developing a personality-consuming obsession around it. Although I definitely align more closely with the first category, I will contend that this class would easily hook a dedicated Peloton fan. The 2010s pop playlist kept everyone happily head-bobbing, while the instructor maintained a smooth, relaxed flow. It didn’t quite have the same intensity of an actual Peloton class, but I was certainly not complaining.
Pilates
Similar to Barre, pilates is a perfect blend of low impact, high intensity exercise. Pilates classes are intentionally slower in pace, with a heightened emphasis on breathing, control and, above all else, form. These classes generally utilize some combination of an exercise ball, a resistance band and a light set of weights. The overall vibe is consistently light and relaxing throughout, while the workout itself presents an enjoyable challenge. I think it's safe to say the self-proclaimed “pilates girls” of the internet would enthusiastically approve.
I hope you consider this guide a small, but worthy, introduction to the thriving world of Cornell fitness. If none of these options interest you, classes such as TRX Fusion or CU Row could also be worth investigating. (They were not included among this list simply because I have yet to attend!) There is a spot for everyone in this wonderfully inclusive fitness community, so don’t hesitate to lace up your sneakers and invite a friend — your new favorite workout is waiting!
Katelyn Halverson is a sophomore in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She can be reached at kh874@cornell.edu.
