On the corner of Highland Avenue and Sixth Street, UA and Pima Community College students have access to a full functioning, state-of-the-art gym, wellness center and cafe.
With fitness classes every hour, the UA Student Recreation Center provides students the opportunity to participate in various workouts in a group atmosphere.
The Rec Center has such a vast array of physical activities ranging from long time favorites to new and innovative workouts. Group fitness provides a community atmosphere to sweat it out with fellow students.
UA students are catching on to the trend of group fitness more than ever.
“I prefer running alone, but I do Crossfit three times a week.” said communications junior Peyton Wells.
Wells explained that she prefers group fitness in general, as it helps her stay healthy with others and relieves stress.
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With over 40,000 students in its city limits, Tucson is also home to remarkable hiking trails, waterfalls, caves and various mountain peaks.
The UA Rec Center offers programs that utilize the incredible environment around Tucson. For those that aren’t ready to venture out into nature on their own, Outdoor Adventures at the Rec Center offers classes that take students into the wilderness to experience new kinds of outdoor workouts.
Literacy, learning and leadership senior Morgen Rosen and journalism senior Brooke Goldstein [1] stopped into the Scented Leaf on their way back from an early morning workout to grab a tea and discuss their favorite workout experiences.
“I think that it is more motivating to be around other people because you can learn from each other,” Rosen said.
Rosen, who is also the chapter president of Alpha Epsilon Phi, regularly teaches a group functional fitness class. Rosen teaches her class at Parsons Personal Training on Broadway and Wilmot.
“I am naturally motivated to work out because I want to live a long time and reduce my risk of high blood pressure and certain diseases,” Rosen said. “It keeps me sane.”
Goldstein said she enjoys the occasional spin, Zumba and kickboxing class. She integrates fitness with her other passions by writing for the college-aimed fitness website, Campus Protein.
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Student athletes are especially known for the high priority they place on fitness. UA athletes put forth their best efforts in maintaining physical health by hitting the gym along with other students.
One UA athlete that is particularly motivated by working out is psychology senior Nnenya Hailey. Hailey runs the 100 and 400-meter hurdles for the UA track and field team.
“When it comes to working out, I really like lifting with a group of people,” Hailey said.
Hailey has placed in track events put on by the NCAA, ACC and MPSF Championships. Hailey is pursuing a minor in nutrition, and exemplifies the fitness-oriented nature of students here at the UA as an accomplished NCAA athlete.
“My motivation is to reach my goal of being faster,” Hailey said.
The social aspect of group fitness is changing the way Wildcats workout. Like they have with Hailey, group fitness methods are pushing all kinds of UA students to be faster, stronger and healthier people.
Corrections: [1] Michelle Goldstein was changed to Brooke Goldstein
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