HEALTH
Working out the kinks
KU Fit works to do away with men's group-fitness phobia
By Asher Fusco afusco@kansan.com
It's an average Wednesday evening at the Student Recreation Fitness Center. Students wait in line to use squat racks, trade off sets at bench press stations and mill about the weight room in search of unclaimed dumbbells.
There's plenty of space, however, in the room next door. Melanie Kurz, Leavenworth junior, is leading a group fitness class called "Just Lift," a resistance training-based session that targets the same muscle groups many of the students in the overcrowded free-weight area are trying to work out.
KU Fit includes more than 40 classes featuring cardio, strength and flexibility exercises. The classes are taught by certified fitness instructors and are available throughout the day.
Wednesday evening's class is well-attended, as most KU Fit workouts are, but one thing sticks out about the group's demographics: The female-to-male ratio is 12-to-1. That figure is in line with a KU Recreation Services' estimate that males account for just 6 to 10 percent of KU Fit participants. While male activity in group fitness has picked up in recent semesters, men still aren't flocking to the sessions in droves.
"A lot of it has to do with guys only wanting to work their upper body with heavy weight," Kurz says. "They feel like they need to use more weight and fewer repetitions, whereas most of our classes focus on doing a lot of repetitions."
"Just Lift" is a 50-minute class divided into four-minute sections that focus on each major muscle group. Each exercise is performed at three different speeds during the four-minute block. Kurz says the continuous
motion can help improve cardiovascular fitness along with muscular endurance. In The Encyclopedia of Muscle and Strength, author Jim Stoppani recommends extended repetition training because it can increase blood flow to the muscles and help release growth hormones.
No matter the benefits of fitness classes, male students don't tend to be overly interested.
"Getting together in a group to work out—it's not for me," says Andrew Geha, Overland Park sophomore. "I don't know why, but I think it's just viewed as more of a feminine thing. It might just be in the media or on TV, but it seems negative." Geha's take on communal fitness seems common among college-aged males,but KU Fit is hard at work trying to make men aware of the exercise options available outside of the weight room.
Kurz says that since she began teaching group fitness at the University three years ago, she has seen a steady increase in male participation. KU Recreation Services Fitness Coordinator Amber Long has taken steps to transform and improve classes at the University by tailoring them to a wider audience." "We're always working on participation levels, and the diversification of our schedule has helped a lot," Long says. "I don't know what the whole stigma has been with group fitness, but we're hoping to debunk it, so we've pleased we've seen an increase in popularity."
Yoga and Pilates classes are the most popular among males because of the new mainstream appeal of the "yoga lifestyle," Kurz says. She suggests attending "Completely Core" to find new ideas for abdominal workouts, and "BOSU n' Glide" for men seeking a first foray into group fitness.
As proof that there's something for every man, Kurz says she has even noticed a few dedicated guys making repeat visits to her "Cardio Dance Party" class.
Overcoming the masculine mindset
As a bead of sweat worked its way down my forehead to the tip of my nose, I tried to will it back into my pores. "You've got to be kidding me," I thought, rolling my eyes and tightening my jaw in frustration. Fifteen minutes into my first group fitness experience—KU Fits "Just Lift"—I was sweating. I'd fallen into the trap set by my own self-image: Bench presses, bicep curls and squats were the exercises for me. Working out was about bulging, not sweating—getting stronger not feeling weak.
After four minutes of legs, four minutes of shoulders, four minutes of chest, I felt good. Then came the curls. And a major hit to my hubis. Halfway through the four-minute rotation of slow, moderate and fast reps, my upper arms felt as if they'd caught fire. I fought my way through the rest of the routine with drops of sweat falling from my chin to the floor it took a bit of ego adjustment, but I ended up enjoying my hour of exercise away from the weight room.
Guy-oriented group fitness
Some of KU Fit's most male-friendly classes
Just Lift—Strength training using weighted barbells, focused on a variety of muscle groups. Just Lift is offered eight times a week. Monday through Saturday.
Yoga/Pilates—Improves posture, flexibility and strength with stretching and breathing.
Completely Core—twenty minutes of abdominal and back workouts. Completely Core meets four times a week Tuesday through Thursday.
A variety of 14Yoga and Pilates classes is offered, with at least one meeting every day of the week.
KU Fit passes cost $50 for an entire semester. $25 for a half-semester (through fall break), or $3 for a single class. Students can purchase passes in the administrative office at the Student Recreation Fitness Center.
Visit www.recreation.ku.edu for more information on purchasing KU Fit passes, and for a complete schedule of KU Fit classes.
September 25, 200
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