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NIU Rec Center offers free sample classes to members

January 15, 2018

Members of the NIU Student Recreation Center, including students, faculty and staff, can sample fitness classes for free through a new program.

Recreation and Wellness is hosting Free Fitness Fridays throughout the spring semester. Each Friday at 4 p.m., a certified Group Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer will teach a class or lead a workout. The programs will be free of charge to all members.

On the regular weekly schedule, 13 instructors teach more than 20 different types of classes and a variety of these workouts will be offered through the program for interested participants to sample, including Zumba, Boxing Fusion, HIIT Series: Core, and several types of yoga.

“Group Fitness has shown to increase overall activity levels, boost workout enjoyment and improve mood,” said Aaron Carlson, graduate assistant for Fitness and Wellness. “We want more people at NIU to have the opportunity to access these benefits.”

Carlson said some classes offered during the promotion will be exact samples of what is on the spring schedule, but others will be one-time specials. For example, organizers anticipate that a yoga series will be popular. It starts with Yoga Basics on Jan. 19, followed by a Candlelight Restorative Yoga on  Feb. 16, leading to a Yin Style Yoga on March 23, a Sport Performance Yoga on April 13, and a Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga class ending the series on April 20.

“A reason we are doing the Free Fitness Fridays is so that more people can try out our classes before buying a Fit Pass,” Carlson explained. “Many members do not know that we offer group fitness classes at an additional cost.”

A semester Fit Pass is on sale for $40 from now through to Monday, Jan. 22, and $50 after that.

The Rec Center will also offer several “Free Weeks” throughout the semester, which allows members to attend classes at no cost. Free Weeks are scheduled this semester for Jan. 16-20, Feb. 12-17, March 5-10, and April 9-14 will be Bring a Friend Week.

For more information visit go.niu.edu/groupfitness.