Erin Maurno (left) and Alena Anthony (right)
The Barnes Center at The Arch provided the Syracuse University community with a jam-packed schedule of group fitness programming since its opening during the 2019-2020 academic year. Now, as the University settles into distance learning, the Barnes Center staff is bringing that robust in-person fitness community online through virtual group fitness classes via its Wellness Portal.
To learn more about the offerings, we chatted with Erin Maurno, group exercise coordinator, and Alena Anthony, associate director of fitness programs.
A group fitness video is a free video that contains exercises implemented by a Barnes Center at The Arch group fitness instructor in a workout similar to that of a fitness class. Exercises are all movements you can complete from home using body weight or household items. Workouts range from general stretching to basic strength to high intensity interval training. We’re also launching Facebook Live classes at scheduled times on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting this week.
Group Fitness videos may be accessed through the Wellness Portal and by selecting “Virtual Group Fitness.” Here individuals may explore a variety of virtual class options.
Also on the Wellness Portal, you can find how to access the live classes. The campus community is encouraged to check back often for new content.
There is no fitness equipment needed for our videos! Our trained staff has designed these videos to encompass movements that can be done at home with no equipment or with household items such as chairs, plates or cans.
Our videos are set up so that you can choose whichever type of workout best meets your needs directly from our fitness class library. Also, the live class options on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays provide an added accountability measure that can help get you to your goals.
Other ideas for accountability would be to set an alarm or add an event to your calendar for the time in which you plan to workout, in an effort to schedule self-care, just as you would when attending an already scheduled class. You can also track your progress by keeping a workout log of the days/times you worked out, along with goals you wish to accomplish for future workouts or motivational verbiage for encouragement!
