Why We Rec

Hey Rams! We are excited to introduce our new blog series “Why We Rec”! Its purpose is to inspire and give hope to you all. There will be more Why We Rec content across the board, so keep an eye out on social media! In the meantime, check out our first installment with pro-staff Taylor Sidore!

This pandemic has been crazy for a lot of us and trying to find ways to make the most of what we’ve got is important. Pro-staff Taylor Sidore gave some insight on why being active is so valuable right now. 

 

For Taylor, working out has really helped her through the pandemic because it was already a piece of her identity and she already utilized being active as a form of stress management. Now, she says that’s more important than ever. Having an intrinsic value of your body and mind is crucial, and taking the time to nurture that has really helped her. 

 

Even though many of us, including Taylor, still feel the stress that this pandemic has caused, working out helps to minimize it. It helps create a routine, which is one reason Taylor says it’s so important. She says working out should be fun too… it shouldn’t add to the stress. So whether that means hitting the Rec center, going for a jog, or learning a new TikTok dance, finding a way to be active that makes you happy is just as important as simply being active. 

 

While pro-staff may not be able to use the Rec as they did before the pandemic, Taylor has still seen all the great things happening on the floor. First and foremost, following the new guidelines is an easy way to keep you and your fellow Rams safe, so no one should feel bad about working out in a mask. It’s all about finding and doing the right exercises for you and your comfort level, says Taylor. She also points out that people shouldn’t come to the Rec because they feel like they have to work out, but they should come to “stay healthy in the sense of being happy while you’re moving”.

 

You heard it here first, Rams. Come have fun with us at the Rec!

Lexi Broz has been a part of the fitness world for most of her life, playing volleyball and basketball all through her primary education. When she came to CSU, she wanted to continue being healthy and fit but was not sure how to do so without the motivation of a sport. That’s when she discovered the Rec’s group fitness classes. Starting off as a participant, she loved the group setting. she found that she could become a group fitness instructor and jumped at the chance! Since her sophomore year, Lexi has been leading classes with the same excitement and fervor that she had when she was a class participant. 

Her passion for fun fitness is what drives her, and since the pandemic that hasn’t changed.

“I think I’ve actually become a little bit more involved, and I wanted to find ways to put classes out there so that people could work out when they were at home”

That being said, the transition was “initially kind of shocking”, she says. With strictly virtual classes on Instagram live and YouTube, she found it a bit hard to stay motivated without being surrounded by others. But now that we are back on campus and able to host outdoor group fitness classes, she is loving it. 

 

Group fitness still comes with its challenges, though. We are in the middle of a pandemic, after all. When it comes to the virtual side of things, “Of course [it] has all the technical difficulties” Lexi said. Between Instagram lives occasionally crashing and YouTubes strict music regulations. Being outside is great, but sometimes weather prevents classes from taking place, or last-minute location changes throw some people off. The bumpy ground isn’t ideal for kickboxing, one of the classes Lexi teaches. “It can create different motivation challenges for teachers and participants”. Other than that, she says it hasn’t been too difficult to make things work. The fresh air and open spaces make it a fun and exciting new experience. Life gave Lexi some weird lemons, but she is still out here making lemonade. 

 

Some of the most successful changes to group fitness has been outdoor cycling classes. “That was one option that we didn’t really have with all the online stuff,” she says. Not everyone has a spin bike, let alone the same exact one as the Rec. But with the beautiful Colorado weather, the class is packed! “Giving people that option again I think has been really successful”. 

Overall, Lexi would say that group fitness during the pandemic creates a real sense of accomplishment. The lack of motivation so many have felt during the pandemic melts away after going to a fitness class. And for Lexi, she’s excited to be around people again, seeing both new and returning faces.

Interested in group fitness?

 Check out their site here, and make sure to stay updated with the weekly schedules!