Keeping your body active has so many benefits, not only for our physical health but also our mental health. Being college students, it is very easy for us to start feeling overwhelmed while trying to navigate through our work loads and personal lives. It is important to find ways to relieve that stress, working out and staying active, even if it is just for a short period of time each day is a great way to clear your mind. Not only does exercise keep your body healthy, but also your mind. I know getting to the gym can be intimidating, you may feel out of place, like you aren’t sure what you are doing, and that feeling alone can be stressful.
Luckily, SUNY Cortland offers a number of group fitness classes. Whether it be swim aerobics or an indoor cycling class, you can grab a friend and take a class that interests you. These classes are a great way to stay active for those who are already comfortable in the gym, and also give those who may need a friend for an extra confidence boost the chance to get a workout in. Not only are these classes open for all students to take, but they also give students the opportunity to teach the class. I decided to speak with a friend of mine, Samantha Wender, a senior at Cortland, who teaches the Thursday night spin classes to get an idea of what it looks like to teach these classes. Although the SLC doesn’t require any certifications, Sam mentioned going through training so she can teach back home, in Colorado. “I did the LES MILLS SPRINT virtual training. It took ab 50 Hours to complete and I am still in the process of getting fully certified. Lucky for me, the SLC doesn’t require any certification, so I am able to teach there at the moment. I am only completing this certification so that I can teach at my gym at home.”
The student life center has opened a lot of doors for Sam, introducing her to new people and even allowing her to find new passions. When I asked her how she liked working there, she said “Love it! I teach indoor cycling and work for Rec sports as a front desk/equipment checkout rep. I met some of my best friends working here. It is a fun and supportive environment and my favorite job I’ve ever worked. It even prompted me to pursue my honor’s thesis in health education.”
SUNY Cortland truly offers a place for everyone, giving everyone the opportunity to join something they love, or even just try something new. “The most important thing I have learned is that everybody is different and needs training that is catered towards their personal goals. I have learned how to motivate in a kind way, give myself grace when it comes to planning a variety of workouts, and that igniting a love of fitness in my class participants brings me joy I never thought was possible.” College can be overwhelming and finding the time to do something that makes you feel a little more at ease is extremely important.