Get Fit for Fall at the Rec Center

Montclair State University’s Student Recreation Center is no place for summer slackers. Even while on summer break, registered students can still work up a sweat – at no additional cost with a swipe of their student IDs – through a range of regularly scheduled Group X (group exercise) classes and Outdoor Adventure trips.

This summer’s Group X offerings include Zumba, cycling, Pilates, TRX, SandSLAM, Total Body Challenge and Iron Hour weight classes. Outdoor Adventure trips have included everything from camping and biking to river tubing and paddle boarding.

“Registered students have access to everything in the Rec Center – equipment, Group X classes, special event trips, Outdoor Adventure lendable beach packs, camping packs,” says Daniel Truitt, the alumni coordinator for the Office of Alumni Relations who worked as the facilities area supervisor at the Rec Center as an undergraduate student. “Faculty, staff and alumni can have access through paid memberships.”

“Just show up,” says Melissa Mapson, a senior psychology major who is teaching Group X TRX, Zumba, Zumba Step and Total Body Challenge classes at the Rec Center this summer. “We have so much fun in these classes; participants don’t even realize how much they are pushing themselves beyond their limits.”

A dancer and athlete, Mapson is finishing her third year as a Rec Center instructor. “I love teaching. As student instructors, we know how to connect with class participants on a peer-to-peer level and can promote health and wellness in a friendly way.”

Exercise science major Marissa Murray has been a certified fitness instructor since age 17. She is currently teaching Iron Hour and SandSLAM classes. “I really enjoy teaching Iron Hour because I’m a huge weight training advocate,” she says. “I love introducing weight training exercises to people and helping them feel more comfortable in the weight room.”

Group X class sizes generally run from three to 15 people, many of whom are loyal participants. “I love that our instructors are able to help faculty and staff feel comfortable in classes that mainly consist of students,” says Mapson.

“Group X classes are a great way to try something new,” says Murray. “It’s always great to see my Iron Hour participants in the weight room by themselves confidently performing the exercises.”

This summer, as in past summers, canoeing, biking and river tubing Outdoor Adventure trips have been offered. “This summer, we added some new trips: horseback riding and Stand Up Paddle Boarding,” says Alex Sperling, Campus Recreation’s coordinator of aquatics and summer programs.

Campus Recreation is always open to new trip suggestions. The fully booked August horseback riding trip came about because of student interest. “A lot of our interest is word of mouth and we hope to grow the program substantially this fall and spring by offering whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hiking, indoor rock climbing and camping,” Sperling adds.

“The goal of our program and these trips is to provide students with an opportunity to try outdoor programs and activities in a low-cost, low-risk way,” he explains. “We provide transportation to our trips, which are free or as low-cost as possible.”

For Group X class schedules and information about Outdoor Adventure trips, go to: Campus Recreation.