By Gao Na Yang
Imagine this: You stroll into Howard Hall Thursday evening looking mighty fly, but leave just half an hour later looking even better - your face is flushed, your body is sore and the smile of pleasure and pain on your face is stretched from ear to ear.
Your friend takes a good look at you and their jaw drops because you look that much better. "What's your high?" friend asks. You answer "Ab lab."
This would be you if you attended Alyson Ayers' fitness classes. This would also be you if your name was Justin Grauberger.
"After Ab lab, it hurts to laugh because my abs are so sore," Grauberger, junior, said.
Ayers' teaches Ab lab levels one and two, Total Body Workout and Spin. Ab labs are packed with about 25 participants per session.
Regardless of the large quantity of attendees, those who can manage to find a spot share similar experiences.
Junior Ben Pressler attends Ab lab and feels good about himself when he leaves the class.
"But my abs are past sore," Pressler explained. "They are numb."
Ayers often constructs a challenging workout that incorporates harmless-looking-but-they-really-aren't mats and medicine balls.
Participants of Ab lab praise the class to no end. Ayers' motivation and good mood encourages sophomore Kyle Figura to work hard.
"I arrive dry and I leave wet like Ray Allen," he explained. "I was almost in tears after my first Ab lab."
Aside from instructing four fitness classes, Ayers also works at the front desk in Howard Hall.
"There are usually 40 females and 30 males," Ayers said.
The consistent high attendance in Howard Hall during times that classes are held indicates that the campus is well-aware of activities and classes in the building.
"I usually have to turn a lot of people away," said Ayers. Fitness classes in Howard Hall are on a first-come first-served basis.
Despite the fact that many people are turned away, Ayers encourages students and faculty to give it a try.
According to Ayers, students are attentive and always peek their heads in to see.
"Come out and have fun," she said.
Are they intimidated because of the flushed faces? Ayers insisted that there is no reason to be.
"All the instructors are very welcoming," she said. This year will be the start of her third year teaching fitness classes in Howard Hall.
"I've done Ab lab with Alyson since last year," Pressler added. "She does a great job."
Fitness classes with a vigorous routine are popular among many students, but for those who prefer a little more rock-and-sway in their step, there are fitness classes like Hula, Jazz and Hip Hop.
Akala Neves is the instructor for Hula class on Wednesday evenings. The exercise in this class is a dance that incorporates the art of self-defense and war.
Therefore, the stereotype that Hula is only for women is inaccurate, Neves insisted.
There are males that participate in her class, too.
"I had a priest and a Public Safety officer come join and they're regulars," Neves said.
Hula may be difficult to learn at times, but Neves uses analogies to ease the process.
"I compared one of the steps to baseball," she explained.
Using analogies helped the participants to express the dance and remember the steps.
Neves consistently explains the traditional meanings of the steps to help the participants understand the movements, which helps them to express the dance accurately. Hula emphasizes focus and comfortable movement.
"Exercises that incorporate dancing can bring people into Howard Hall," Neves said. "It makes them more interested."
Contrary to popular belief, there are many people who don't have a lot of experience, Neves said.
Don't stay away because you expect to find only advanced dancers in the class.
"Everyone can dance," she said. Go into the class with humility, be willing to learn and dance, and put in effort for a good time.
"Just come and try it out," Neves said.
Fitness classes Jazz and Hip Hop are also offered in Howard Hall.
Despite the low attendance of four participants, instructor Jessica Dowling said that her classes still have an enjoyable session.
"In a way, it's more intimate because there aren't a lot of people," she explained.
Participants, she added, get a challenging and enjoyable workout that includes choreography.
Dowling said that she wants attendees to have fun and encouraged more people to try it out.
"Don't not show up because you're afraid that you won't be able to keep up," she said. "Don't be afraid that you don't have good timing or coordination."
There is still room for people to attend Jazz and Hip Hop.
Jazz is held on Tuesday evening and Hip Hop is on Thursday. Her fitness classes are hour-long sessions.
When studying gets too overwhelming, Ella Daniels turns to yoga. Anna "Ella" Daniels is one of the instructors of Yoga. It's very relaxing and it's a good escape, she explained. "I get quite a few smiles."
Approximately 15 to 20 participants attend the class Tuesdays, but there is still room for more yoga attendees on Mondays.
Those who need to slow it down may find solace in yoga. They can gain physical strength and flexibility without having to do heavy workouts, Daniels explained.
"It's not always about physical activity," she said. "It's about relaxing."
Whenever she found herself burnt out from studying, fifteen minutes of yoga could easily reenergize her mind. She believes that this workout routine, too, could help others.
"Yoga is a good escape; it's an outlet," Daniels said.
The instructors share the same values regarding physical activity that can improve health. Any kind of workout is good for your physical and mental health, Daniels said.
The fitness classes are worthwhile and participants benefit from the classes that are offered in Howard Hall, according to Dowling.
It seems that those who are teaching and those who are participating in the fitness classes agree.
Grauberger feels strongly about his choices in classes so far.
"The classes have certainly been effective in helping me each my fitness goals," he said.
For a list of classes that are offered, visit Howard Hall or search Recreational Services: Fitness Classes on the University Web page.
