Drury University students and faculty are putting a spin on static workouts.
Barber Fitness Center has introduced 10 new exercise bikes for students and faculty to use, while keeping five of the older bikes. Kim Hughes is one of the instructors for the Spin & Tone fitness class offered to Drury students and faculty.
The Spin & Tone class is popular around the Drury campus and considered by some to be a local favorite. In fact, students have been turned away because the class filled up so quickly, leaving no available bikes.
The Scoop: SpringVegas has complied a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Spin & Tone class.
How difficult is this class?
The difficulty of this class varies from person to person, because it is individually based.
“It’s very individual, because they [students] can add as much resistance as they want or no resistance at all,” says Hughes. The resistance on the bikes makes it easier or harder to pedal depending on how low or high the resistance is set. Students can choose their resistance level, which will determine the difficulty level of the class.
“It can be as difficult as you want to make it. …I would say it can go anywhere from one to 10 [in difficulty level]. It’s just how much you want to put into it.” — Kim Hughes, Spin & Tone instructor
What should you wear?
“You’re going to work up a sweat, and it’s kind of warm over there [in Barber Fitness Center],” Hughes says. She suggests wearing workout pants or shorts and a T-shirt or tank top. If individuals want to really work up a sweat, they can wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Tennis shoes are a must.
What should you eat beforehand?
Hughes recommends that individuals not eat within an hour of the class; she herself avoids eating before class. However, Hughes does take in a lot of fluids. “I drink a lot of water, and I strongly recommend water on the bike.”
What time should you arrive to class?
Hughes suggests arriving to class between 15 to 30 minutes early. In the beginning, bikes filled up quickly, and students had to be turned away. By arriving early to class, students can secure a bike and prepare for the workout to come. Many students try to get the newer bikes first. If individuals want to use the newer bikes, they must arrive early.
Who typically attends this Spin & Tone class?
According to Hughes, the majority of the people who attend this class are Drury students. Drury faculty are also among those in attendance as well. Many who attend the spin class are considered beginners.
“Probably 99 percent of them [students in the class] had never taken a spin class before,” Hughes says. Although these students may be new to spin, she says they are some of the hardest workers she has ever had. Hughes has to create more challenging workouts to accommodate her students.
Hughes also says that most of her students are in average physical condition. “I haven’t had any athletes that are participating in a sport here at Drury, that I know of, [come to the spin class].” All students and faculty members are encouraged to attend the spin class, regardless of the physical conditions.
How large are the class sizes on average?
There are 14 bikes for students and faculty to use. Earlier in the semester, classes filled up regularly. However, since spring break, the class sizes have not been as large. Whether the class is full or not, individuals can expect individual attention from Hughes or one of the other instructors. Hughes smiles and laughs while talking about some of her regular attenders. She knows their names, faces and yes, she knows when they have missed a class as well.
Says Jeremy Keel, Drury student and regular spin class attender: “One thing I really like enjoy about the spin class is that the instructor is very friendly, and we’re all able to talk and joke while working out.” Keel recommends this class to individuals with a busy schedule or low motivation to work out. “I’ve found that it’s much easier to keep going whenever it is a specific time of my day that I know to set aside for working out, and there is someone telling what to do.”
Individuals can try the Spin & Tone class Mondays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. as well as Fridays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
“I feel like it’s important to work out your whole life because the better you take care of yourself when you’re younger, the better shape you’ll be in and the better quality of life you will have when you’re older,” — Kim Hughes, Spin & Tone instructor
