With every new semester comes a new wave of motivation.
Students say, “I’m going to all my classes,” “I’m going to do all of my homework” and “I’m not going to forget to call mom this week.”
And of course, “I’m going to go to the gym.”
Going to the gym may be a bit more enjoyable this semester, as the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center has updated some of its equipment inventory and introduced more Group X classes.
According to Charles Anderson, fitness director, the fitness center recently shelled out about $15,000 on new equipment for the weight room, Group X classrooms and core and dumbbell area in the strength and conditioning room.
“The ab area was updated this summer, and the cardio machines were last year,” Anderson said.
Over the summer, the weight room got new ab mats, ab balls and medicine balls. New benches from Vicore Fitness were also added in the weight room’s core and dumbbell areas.
In the coming weeks, the Strom staff is expecting to add new foam rollers, balance pads, soft plyo boxes and Rip 60 Suspension Training Straps.
The Group X classrooms will not only see new dumbbells, mats, cardio steps and foam rollers for existing classes, but also Vita Vibe bars for barre classes being offered starting this fall. Each bar costs around $200.
In addition to the new equipment stock, the Strom will also be offering a new class this semester called BODYCOMBAT. While in BODYCOMBAT, students will be exposed to a workout “inspired by mixed martial arts and draws from a wide array of disciplines such as karate, boxing, taekwondo, tai chi and muay thai,” according to the class description.
“We’re really excited about it,” said Bethany Maxfield, fitness graduate assistant at the center. “It’s a very energetic class, so I think it’s one of those things that will catch on.”
Before a new class begins, instructors will lead a launch class where anywhere between five and 10 instructors introduce new songs, steps and moves to those in attendance.
The first BODYCOMBAT launch attracted more than 40 people. Similarly, BODYPUMP, a veteran class, brought in around 50 people for its first launch of the semester.
“I think some people are a little intimidated by BODYCOMBAT,” Maxfield said. “But it’s a really good, empowering class.”