The Power of Showing Up: Emma’s GroupFit Experience
In an effort to communicate a student's perspective of Auburn University's Group Fitness classes, I sat down with Emma Berkley, an Auburn senior, to talk about all things GroupFit. I first met Emma when she was this year's Greek Sing Director for my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. With KAθ winning the annual Pump Up Your Heart competition and Emma taking the most classes out of anyone, she was the perfect candidate to interview. Here is what Emma shared with me about her experiences with GroupFit during her time at Auburn
Emma's first GroupFit experience was a yoga class during her freshman year. She wasn't sure what to expect in terms of levels and intensity, but was very surprised by how beginner-friendly it was.
In her opinion, they aren't as scary or intimidating as they might seem. She says that even if you're a pro, the instructors offer options for beginners, intermediates, and those looking for a real challenge.
One thing Emma likes about taking classes versus working out alone is that it's all about motivation and focus. "When I'm alone, it's easy to quit early or take long breaks, but in a class, everyone is doing the same thing. The energy from the instructors and the other participants keeps me going."
Emma shares that most classes are extremely energetic, upbeat, and welcoming.
"The instructors keep things fresh by changing the routines every few sessions, so even if you stick to one type of class, it never feels repetitive."
Variety is something that draws people into taking classes. Emma loves that there is always a class to match her energy level. She says if she's not feeling up for a heavy weightlifting session, she likes that she can choose something else and still get a great workout in.
The classes are free and very easy to sign up for, making them incredibly convenient for students' schedules. Emma mentioned that sometimes it can be hard to get into classes, especially the more popular ones, like Pilates; however, she usually just puts her name on the waiting list, and a spot almost always opens up.
Emma had the honor of winning Pump Up Your Heart this past year with her sorority and getting the practice space for Greek Sing. She shared how her experience, especially winning, was so much fun! After attending classes twice a day in February, it was rewarding to see her hard work pay off for the rest of her sorority sisters. The practice space was very helpful in their preparation and made the experience so much better! Although her sorority didn't win Greek Sing, being able to practice elevated her time as Greek Sing Director.
Overall, Emma thoroughly enjoyed participating in Group Fitness in an effort to have fun while staying active, and encourages everyone to attend a class at least once in their time at Auburn.
I would like to conclude by thanking Emma Berkley for taking the time to sit down with me and answer my questions. It was an extremely enjoyable and insightful conversation.
Be Well, Auburn.
