Taking as Many SCADfit Classes as Possible in One Week

Written by Kelsey Vickers. Graphic by Laura Garcia.

How often do you exercise? As college students, we’re constantly scavenging for free time. The thought of dedicating that time to something that uses more energy is laughable. Despite our protests, exercise is integral to our health. This quarter, SCADfit is offering 18 exercise classes. I’ve been in a rut with my exercise routine, going on a walk or lifting weights a few days a week. I only have time to go to one yoga class a few times a month, or so I thought. I challenged myself to attend as many SCADfit classes as I could in one week, so you don’t have to. I managed to make it to 12. What are they like? More importantly: Are they worth your time?

1. Yin Yoga

“Yin Yoga” is a slow flow class. Students hold only eight poses for about four minutes each, deepening the stretch and relaxation. Despite minimal movement and simple positions, it is still challenging. You have to be disciplined in holding the pose and withstanding the pain. 

Still, it doesn’t require an overexertion of effort. The instructor provides blankets, blocks and bolsters for support.

I was restless at first. Once I embraced the staticity it was a soothing class. I left with a much clearer mind than when I arrived.

SCADfit yoga instructor Veenu Sharma says, “It’s a union of mind, body and soul. We are absolutely present in that moment where we are. That’s the time we start filtering our thoughts. We accumulate everything inside and I want students to filter out that which needs to go away.” 

2. Hips and Hamstrings Yoga Flow

Also at a slower pace, “Hips and Hamstrings Yoga Flow” focuses on releasing tension in the hips, hamstrings and glutes. As artists, we tend to be sedentary. Sitting causes tension to build up in these areas. Everyone who is physically able should take this class.

It’s widely believed that trauma is stored in the hips. Stretching them brings emotions to the surface. The first time I attended this class, my feelings were so intense that I teared up.

This class is precious to me. I feel the most connected to myself here. It is cemented in my schedule as much as my academic courses are.

3. Sun Vinyasa Flow

Class begins with relaxing the muscles and breathing exercises. Then, the instructor guides us through Sun Salutation. We begin slowly with modified poses to adjust, then progressively get faster, repeating traditional poses. “Sun Vinyasa Flow” improves flexibility as well as strength and balance.

This class is higher energy, continuously moving until the end. You can always stick with the easier poses and move at your own pace. I found it difficult to keep up the first time I took this class, but I adjusted after attending a few times. You improve every visit—that is my favorite thing about yoga. You accomplish things you didn’t think you were capable of. 

4. Dynamic Vinyasa

They were not lying when they included the word “dynamic” in the title. You are constantly moving in this class. It is similar to “Sun Vinyasa Flow,” but even more intense. It also does not repeat movements and make a cyclical flow.

The rapid changes force you to be most in touch with your body, reconnecting with your mind in savasana.

Although modifications are always available, I wouldn’t recommend this class as the first yoga class you ever take. It requires a lot of strength. I found it the most difficult of the four yoga classes I took. 

5. Restorative Aerial Yoga

“Restorative Aerial Yoga” is similar to “Yin Yoga,” but involves hammocks. Cloth hammocks hang from the ceiling of the yoga studio. They are an aid to performing postures. Students sit, stand or lay in them.

This class is a good introduction to aerial yoga. The slow pace and minimal movement allow you to get acquainted with the hammocks.

Aerial classes have limited positions available, with just seven for students. If you are interested you can register on the SCADfit app when it opens 48 hours in advance, or check the hour before class begins for cancellations.

6. Pilates Mixed Apparatus

SCADfit advertises this class as beginner friendly, but I beg to differ. I have taken reformer pilates a few times and theirs was the most intense.

There were modifications of course, but even then I did not possess the strength to perform some exercises. I admire the instructor’s dedication to encouraging me to push myself. They spotted me while I held a V-up as if I had a 100-pound bar over my face, rather than my legs, lifted in the air. I hope the tears in my eyes weren’t noticeable.

I have not seen it offered this quarter but SCADfit typically offers a mat pilates class. I recommend beginners build core strength there before moving on to the reformer.

This is a high-quality class though. The instructor taught me so much and introduced me to a new type of strength. Two things can be true: this is a great class and I am not ready for it. 

7. Sculpt and Stretch

I think a more accurate title is “Muscles and Mobility.” This class includes weightlifting and mobility improvement exercises. We did four rounds of an exercise circuit. The circuit for my class targeted various upper body muscle groups with exercises such as hammer curls, upright rows and tricep extensions. The weightlifting portion was during the first thirty minutes of class, incorporating cardio by following the pace of the music. Stretching was for the last ten minutes and focused heavily on mobility.

While this class accommodates all fitness levels, I highly recommend it for beginners. Having instructor directions relieves you of the stress of deciding what to do. They provide you with tools to work out independently. 

8. Abs and Assets

“Abs and Assets” targets your glutes and abdominal muscles. The instructor guides students as they move at pace with the music. 

We started with glute exercises, primarily doing variations of squats and lunges using resistance bands and dumbbells.

I lift weights regularly, so I thought the glutes portion would have to be pretty rigorous to be difficult for me, but some modifications tested me. There were also easier options. This class truly is suited for all levels.

Then we went into core. We laid down and did classic ab exercises, such as plank, bicycle and inchworms. 

As if Pilates wasn’t enough, I was humbled again. I needed beginner modifications on every ab exercise. 

This class is a great option for people who are looking to get into the gym. It was so thorough. As I left I could tell that I would be sore in the morning (I was right). 

9. SCADspin

SCADspin is a standard spin class. You ride the stationary bike doing intervals of flat rides, sprints and rolling hills to the music. With so many position changes, keeping pace is challenging. The instructor encourages us to follow the class, but there is no pressure. If you are consistent, you’ll develop endurance within a few classes.

I was in this class multiple times a week last year, so coming back was like riding a bike. I had fun and felt refreshed after. The seat reminded me why I stopped going though.

10. Dance Fitness

This class is essentially Just Dance. As someone whose Wii broke five years ago, I was overjoyed. The instructor danced to beloved songs such as “Mambo No. 5” and “Pink Pony Club” while students followed along.

I expected this to be a traditional dance class, learning choreography step by step. There is no teaching, only doing.

 I am notoriously a bad dancer, so I felt insecure going into this. My discomfort melted away as the instructor entered the studio, greeting everyone with a smile. As we danced, she complimented the group and reminded us that no one expects us to know what we’re doing.

It wasn’t just the instructor who created the welcoming environment; the students did too. Of all the workout classes I have taken, this one has the strongest sense of community. Everyone smiled and applauded each other at the end of every song.

I had such a good time in this class that I forgot I was exercising. Don’t get me wrong—it was intense cardio. Drink an irrational amount of water. My shirt was soaked with sweat by the end of class. Luckily, I was wearing black.

11. Zumba

Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance class. The instructor began by demonstrating movements that would repeat throughout the class. I appreciated this.

We transitioned to the warm-up song and then danced for about thirty minutes, following the instructor’s lead. The playlist was a blend of Latin music and American pop. The instructor brought the same energy as the “Dance Fitness” instructor had. Overall, it was a fun time.

Although, Zumba involves more steps than I observed in the “Dance Fitness” class. With how uncoordinated I am, it was a struggle.

12. Aerial Dance

“Aerial Dance” was so fun. The instructor taught a range of exercises in this class, including aerial poses, assisted plank and ballet. This dance class did not follow the others’ structure, we focused on learning choreography.

The class includes people of all experience levels. Although most of the exercises were advanced, the instructor gave individualized assistance to students who needed it. There were many accessible ones as well. Aided by the hammock, students got to fly.

Did any classes pique your interest? See for yourself! Sign the waiver on MySCAD and register for classes today.