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Inside Beat

‘Flex’ your way to stay healthy and on track this semester

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The clever Rutgers student knows that school doesn’t really begin until one has survived move-in day, syllabus week and the first home football game, marking this week as the true "chapter one" of a new school year. Even if your nose is already in the books, don’t give up your summer body just yet.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises that healthy adults punch in at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, which you can take all the guesswork out of with Rutgers Recreation’s Fitness Flex Pass program. With classes held six days a week on all four campuses, there’s no excuse to not hit the gym.

Whether you identify as a fitness junkie or couch potato, it’s tough to ignore the bang for your buck that Flex Pass offers. A full semester pass costs $45, averaging out to less than $3.25 per week for the next 14 weeks, with roughly 130 classes held weekly. If you’re not ready to commit just yet, half-semester passes are available for $25 toward the end of October.

Don’t let the numbers overwhelm you — instead, seize the opportunity to find the class that’s perfect for you. Just as unique to you as your body mass index or favorite healthy snack, carefully consider your fitness personality before pursuing a new workout routine. By taking the time now to ponder what regime truly gets your blood flowing, you’ll be that much more motivated to keep up the good work when the air turns crisper and hours in the library get longer. Now lace up those sneakers and hop to it — you’ve got a workout to crush. Cheers to good health!

If you’re a beginner: Spinning

Long hailed by exercisers from all walks of life, spin classes are beloved for good reason. Catering to a whole stretch of strength levels, this low-impact cardiovascular workout torches calories while creating an individual challenge at a self-directed pace. Promising to boost both strength and intensity, spinning is a great first step if this is the start of your fitness journey.

If you’re stressed: Yoga

If you’re already bogged down by commitments and want to simply say “no” to everything fun, make sure your next “yes” is to yoga. Stretch and relax as you push to achieve a mind/body balance that ensures a longer-lasting peace than a nap or another cup of coffee. As Flex Pass is offering four different styles this semester in Core, Hatha, Power and Vinyasa practices, rotate classes to win "mens sana in corpore sano" once and for all.

If you’re lacking focus: RU FIT

Whether you personally believe the gym to be a safe haven or torture chamber, channeling any restless energy into working out is one of the best things you can do for your own health. The Rutgers Fast Intense Training, or RU FIT program, is the challenge you’ve been waiting for. Designed directly by the Rutgers Fitness staff, this semester promises workouts in everything strength building — using kettle bells, TRX, BOSU and plyometrics — and even daring to go equipment-free by engaging body weight alone to strengthen the entire body. Each class routine varies weekly, so you’ll never get stuck in a grind.

If you’re short on time: Les Mills Grit Series

Snaps for you if you’ve got a busy schedule, but making time for the gym remains a consistent priority through the hustle and bustle of daily life. You’ve got this whole thing on lockdown. Experimenting with Grit will only enrich what you’ve got going on. This 30-minute class promises quick results with a fiery soundtrack, nonstop routines and charged up coaches that are sure to go beyond your limits.


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