Westmoreland Athletic Club offers students a new way to work out

Staying in shape as a full time student is one of the harder things to accomplish while in college. Finding the time and energy after a full schedule of classes can be difficult for students. Even with the workout facilities provided in the McKenna Center here on campus; that run on the treadmill or workout on the elliptical can sometimes become a boring routine for a student. Although classes are offered on campus they may not coincide with students’ schedules. If you are looking to put some variety in your workout regime, or catch a class convenient why not try some classes at the Westmoreland Athletics Club (WAC)?

By Rachel Prichard

Senior Staff Writer

Staying in shape as a full time student is one of the harder things to accomplish while in college. Finding the time and energy after a full schedule of classes can be difficult for students. Even with the workout facilities provided in the McKenna Center here on campus; that run on the treadmill or workout on the elliptical can sometimes become a boring routine for a student.  Although classes are offered on campus they may not coincide with students’ schedules. If you are looking to put some variety in your workout regime, or catch a class convenient why not try some classes at the Westmoreland Athletics Club (WAC)?

Located by the Westmoreland Mall, WAC is not a far drive down the road from Seton Hill University (SHU). They offer a different environment of exercise compared to a campus gym through their popular group fitness classes. WAC works with the group fitness company, Les Mills to provide a variety of classes with workout styles ranging from weightlifting to energetic dance cardio to kickboxing. Though the idea of a fitness class may sound intimidating and expensive to the average college student, at this fitness club it really is not.

With an offer called “launch weeks,” anyone can come in and try the specific class that is launching during a certain week for free. According to what class is launching that week is what is free to participate in. For any student who has ever thought about trying a group fitness class, this is a good opportunity to try one free of charge. There is no limit to how many launch weeks students can take part in.

I decided to experience one of these launch weeks first hand and tried a class called Body Combat. The name itself sounded intimidating because it is a mix of kickboxing and self defense, but when I went to WAC I was pleasantly surprised. The workout steps were easy to follow but still intense. There was a mix of “first timers” like myself, and people who had been taking fitness classes. The comfort level was really high because both of the group fitness instructors would laugh and goof around during the class. It is easy to see that both a student athlete and a non student athlete could follow the routine and feel this total body workout.

The music is another part of these fitness classes that is appealing to students. During the Body Combat class, the routines were set to music of The Hives, Avril Lavigne, and The Pussycat Dolls. One of the most recommended classes for college students is the dance fitness class, Body Jam because of the music. The workout includes music by Usher, The Ting Tings, and Busta Rhymes.

“We do have a lot of younger people takings that class because of the hip hop music and the dance moves,“ said Regina Diaddigo, a membership coordinator and group fitness instructor.

Diaddigo feels that people need to do things to keep their exercise routines interesting and that these classes provide that change.

“The music is very upbeat. They always pull from popular music. Just the atmosphere is a lot of fun, you can come in with your friends and be silly and have fun, while still getting a workout,” said Diaddigo.

WAC has seen more of a younger student crowd coming into the club with group fitness classes.
For the more athletically inclined student, there is the program called Body Pump. This class is a weight lifting class that involves weight room exercises.
Laurie Corbett, Group Fitness Director says that Body Pump is one of the most popular fitness classes at WAC.

“You don’t have to follow any steps or choreography. You stay in one space, use weight plates and a long bar, and work all major muscles in the body,” said Corbett. “It is a very basic but fun and effective way to get muscles toned and strengthened.”

One of the local high schools is actually getting involved with WAC to have one of their sports teams come in and take some Body Pump classes.

Group Fitness Instructor, Karen Roth teaches both Body Combat and Body Pump and sees the variety of people who come to take classes. She has two sons, one who is a college student, who come to WAC. “It’s a very comfortable atmosphere here,” said Roth. She said the group classes can cater to all different kinds of people. For example, in Body Pump classes, an individual can choose just how much weight they want to use.
“(In the Body Pump class) You could have a women with five pounds on her bar or a man with forty pounds on his bar,” said Roth.

With a wide range of group fitness classes offered both in the morning and in the evening, WAC caters to the hectic schedule of local college students. Evening classes are often only 45 minutes as opposed to the 60 minute morning classes. There is a larger crowd of people in the evening, but the routines mainly stay the same.

“You just have to work at your own pace, and try a variety of classes to find the ones you like best. We have members from 12 to 82 years old. That shows that all levels can try classes. Remember, you have to start somewhere,” said Corbett.
For more information on launch weeks go to www.wacclub.net