Jose Rodriguez EDINBURG – The university recreation at UTRGV offers group fitness-based, or GX, classes for students that don’t want to work out alone and learn new skills in fitness.
GX classes include Cycle-Fit, Pilates, Glutes & Core, and more that involve cardio and improve flexibility.
All students are encouraged to come and try out the classes and see where they can improve and expand their fitness goals with their instructors along with students.
GX instructor and supervisor, Allison de la Vina, hosts the Glutes & Core class where the focus is on building core strength and glutes in a group setting while using weights to help improve stability and posture.
“Maybe trying things they’ve never tried before. Maybe they’ve been scared to try,” De La Vina said. “Maybe when they’re working out alone downstairs, fitness floor and outer gyms, and I feel like with group-based learning, it makes you feel more confident as everyone surrounding you is also maybe trying it for the first time.”
She said it’s important to find a good balance for students with long days to take advantage of a productive day and incorporate movement.
Pilates instructor Amy Jo Guthrie centers her classes on building core strength and enhancing posture to build a strong mind-body connection.
Guthrie applies a mentality of “if you don’t use it, you lose it” and pushes her class to make improvements from previous sessions.
“If you want to live an enjoyable life, you want to be comfortable in your body, you could be 80 years old, in a wheelchair, or you could be 80 years old playing tennis,” Guthrie said. “Who you are when you’re 80 is up to you.”
She said it’s important to try everything and find something that you enjoy and stick to it so you can build a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Classes are open to UTRGV and TSC students and schedules can be found on V-Link and UTRGV’s Recreation website.
