Walk into one of the Group X classes at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports and you enter another world-not just an exercise Mecca but a place that feels more like a Miami club.
The Cardio Salsa class feels like you are dancing in a trendy salsa club.
With its diverse music and eccentric steps, you not only shed the calories by dancing your butt off but learn new techniques as well.
“What I believe is so wonderful about group exercise is that these classes break negative association of exercise with being unpleasant,” said Brook Dabbs, fitness coordinator for the Dedman Center.
“Group X is more than a workout; it’s a social gathering, albeit, sometimes, it’s an all-out rock-your-house-down party. I would have never believed that exercise could be so much fun if I had not gotten involved in group exercise.”
Cardio salsa is not the only unusual class offered by Group X. Classes in belly dancing, body sculpting, boot camp, butts & guts, cardio hip hop, spinning, heavy bag cardio, partner salsa or swing dance are available.
The Dedman Center is a state of the art facility with indoor pools, a rock-climbing wall, indoor soccer field and enough treadmills to keep everyone on campus running in place.
Group X classes offer more than a traditional workout at a bargain price.
A single class is $4, or you can purchase an Unlimited Group X Pass for $45 per semester.
“I think it’s wonderful and amazing. I definitely get my moneys worth and Brook Dabbs is awesome in the program she has developed and it gets better and better,” said Janet Stephens, an advisor in the Meadows School, who has been taking the classes for the past year.
The Group X curriculum has a wide variety of classes and times to meet almost any schedule. Classes run from an hour to an hour and a half.
According to a Group X pamphlet, in body sculpting, one of the most popular classes offered, major muscle groups are worked through hi-repetition, low-resistance exercises to give a chiseled shape to muscles, without adding bulk.
Equipment used in this class includes dumb bells, body bars, bands, medicine balls and Bosu balls.
“Classes work really well around schedules, teachers are super nice and qualified, and I feel like I get a good work out in the hour classes that I go too,” said sophomore Francesca Fernandez.
In addition to the regularly scheduled classes, Group X is hosting a “Blast from the Past” workout session today from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The aerobics class will offer music from the ’80s and ’90s and students are encouraged to dress up in their favorite old school clothes.
Group X membership isn’t required to participate in the event, which will include a costume contest with door prizes.
