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Fun workouts work out
Exercise does not have to be as monotonous as a run on a gerbil wheel, thanks to the non-traditional aerobic classes offered at Eastman Fitness Center. One of these classes is funk aerobics.
Heidi Karr, a senior psychology major from Madison, Wis., has been involved in aerobic instruction for four years and came up with the idea for funk aerobics about two years ago.
"Every seven weeks we do evaluations," Karr said. "We ask participants in the program what they are interested in and the feedback said mostly they wanted something a little more fun so I started thinking and made up funk aerobics."
According to Karr, her inspiration for funk aerobics came from hip-hop music and MTV.
"I basically watched videos and made up a bunch of different moves, gave them different names and taught them to instructors," Karr said.
Funk aerobics, which Karr dubs as "cardio aerobics with funk," became available to students in the fall of 2000.
Currently three different instructors teach the class at different times on Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesdays.
In order to get the full benefits of funk aerobics' versatility, Karr suggests trying each of the three instructors.
"Because they all have different backgrounds, they all teach it very differently which makes it more fun," Karr said.
One of the three instructors Karr refers to is Katie Peden.
Peden is a second-year student and St. Cloud native. Her aerobics background includes 10 years of dance, experience as an aerobics instructor in high school and two years of teaching aerobics at St. Cloud.
"I've taught step, kickboxing and funk aerobics," Peden said.
Her favorite part about funk aerobics is the atmosphere.
"It's a lot of fun to teach, and as a teacher I have a lot of leeway," Peden said. "I can experiment with different kinds of moves and twists."
According to Karr, a normal class would begin with a basic five- to 10-minute warm up followed by the instructor teaching the class anywhere from four to eight funk aerobic moves. After the class practices the moves, they are put together in a routine and repeated. The class ends with five to 10 minutes of cool down and sit-ups. Depending on the instructor, the routine may change from class to class.
"In my class the routine is the same and each week we just add on a different move, but some instructors have a new routine every week," Peden said.
According to Karr, there are several attractions to funk aerobics.
"People get bored sometimes when they work out, or they don't like having to think too much and they need a distraction," Karr said. "Funk aerobics is a really big distraction in the way that you are having so much fun, you don't realize you are working out."
Funk aerobics is a fun, moderately difficult alternative to normal cardio routines and anyone can learn it.
"This class is for anyone who is not afraid to sweat with a little attitude," Karr said. "We get guys, 18-year-old girls and 60-year old women. Anyone can do it."
The lower intensity level is an additional benefit of funk aerobics, according to Peden.
"You don't have to worry about messing up, it's about fun and attitude. We talk, giggle and just have fun," Peden said.
Another more intense, newer, non-traditional exercise class Eastman is offering in the upcoming seven weeks is aerobic boot camp, described by Peden as a "kick-your-butt" type of work out.
"It's set up to be like a boot camp, but with more aerobics," Karr explained. "There are anywhere from four to 10 aerobics instructors at a time each working a station, so it's kind of like circuit training. Participants move from station to station doing different exercises: jump rope, medicine balls, push ups, sit-ups."
A third aerobic class that gained increased popularity this year is power pacing. The power pacing class night ride allows power pacing fans who can't get over to the gym during the day a late class that starts at 9 p.m. Another unique characteristic of the class: it's in the dark.
"The workout is pretty much the same as the daytime workout, except we tend to do it in the dark with Christmas lights," said Diana Williams, a power pacing instructor.
Williams, who has been teaching power pacing for two years and is pursuing a Master's in biochemistry or medicinal chemistry in the fall, said you have to be dedicated to participate in night ride.
"I really like the group of people that come because they are energetic late at night, fun to be around and they keep me motivated," Williams said. Whether looking to begin a more healthy and active lifestyle, challenge your current workout routine, or just lose some excess weight before that spring break trip, Eastman Fitness Center caters to a variety of needs and interests.
Funk aerobics classes meet in the Eastman Aerobic Studio on Mondays from 4 to 4:50 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Other schedule and fee information, as well as class descriptions, can be obtained from Eastman Fitness Center or Halenbeck Hall Campus Recreation office, or at their Web site: http://condor.stcloudstate.edu/~recsport/.
Fees for Classes
Aerobic classes:
Students: $25 for a full semester; $15 for one session
Faculty/Staff: $45 for a full semester; $25 for one session
Community: $55 for a full semester; $35 for one session
Power Pacing:
Students: $25 for a full semester; $15 for one session
Faculty/Staff: $45 for a full semester; $25 for one session
Community: $55 for a full semester; $30 for one session
Kristen J. Kubisiak can be reached at: [email protected]
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