Starting this fall, Iowa State Recreation Services is offering new barre and boxing circuit classes among the 120 classes offered per week at State Gym, Beyer Hall or Lied Recreation Athletic Center.

“We don’t have many classes that are light weight, high rep, fatigue-every-muscle-group kind of workouts, so I thought it was something nice and innovative to add to our program” Fitness Coordinator Ashley Artist said.

Located in the newly remodeled pilates studio, these classes focus on muscle-toning and endurance using different exercises on the ballet barre. Barre has become increasingly popular in the fitness industry.

“A lot of other places in Ames had begun to offer it, so I thought that would be something that we should be offering here for our students.” Artist said.

Carlee Cutler, a group fitness instructor said, “One of the best things about barre is that you fatigue every single muscle group before you head on to the next, so you feel really accomplished after a barre workout.”

All current instructors for the class went through specialty training from a master barre trainer.

The new boxing studio, which now features heavy bags, is located in the Lied Rec Center where the cycling studio was previously housed.

“Before, we’ve had cardio kickboxing classes where we did shadow boxing and partner workouts,” Artist explained.

While students love these kickboxing classes, participant surveys showed people also really wanted to do boxing with the heavy bags. The studio includes 10 new bags, allowing 20 people per class. The high intensity training, bag drills, and heavy weights used make it a great class for anyone looking to spice up their normal gym routine. Artist sums it up as, “for someone who is already pretty fit but looking for a challenge.”

More information on these classes, and the 120 classes Rec Services offers per week, can be found on the Iowa State Recreation Services website.