One of the many aspects of student life that have adapted to the limitations of the pandemic is fitness classes, which are offered by Campus Recreation and are free to Samford students. Located in Seibert Gym, the classes offered include Yoga, Pound, CoreBarre, Zumba, Cardio Sport, Holy Yoga and Spin.
Director of Campus Recreation, Nick Madsen, is confident that these classes are safe to attend in person because of the precautions instructors and students are taking. Though masks are not required during the class, social distancing is enforced.
“There are markings on the floor on where they have to be. If they aren’t, then the instructor will warn them, and if they still don’t comply, they will be asked to leave,” Madsen explained. “We haven’t had a single issue with this.We are socially distanced so we hopefully won’t have issues.”
Madsen added that attendance is kept out of precaution, for the purpose of contact tracing should a student test positive for COVID-19.
Shelby Blalock,who has been attending the CoreBarre class this semester,described her experience and explained all of the precautions that make the class feel safe.
“We do a lot [of exercise] where you are strengthening the core,” Blalock said. “There’s just not a lot of us in there. They have sanitization stations right outside the room.”
Yoga instructor Kelley Delchamps spoke about her experience. ,
“I do feel safe in the environment I teach in,” Delchamps said. “Not only is everyone spaced out, but we have fans positioned to circulate air flow in the studio.”
This semester there are no virtual fitness classes offered by Campus Recreation. Blalock said the face to face aspect of the class may be part of the appeal.
“It’s a fun thing to do with my suitemates,” Blalock said. “I really like it. I didn’t think I would. It is really challenging.”
Delchamps echoed this enthusiasm for in-person classes.
“My favorite part about teaching a fitness class is getting to connect with students and hopefully facilitate students having some self-care and needed time for themselves.”
