A Penn Girl’s Guide to Working Out

Working out can feel exhausting and overwhelming at times - until you romanticize it. If you’re not quite ready to venture into the depths of Pottruck, here are a few alternative ways to squeeze in a fun workout.

The second-floor weight room at Pottruck on campus can be more than intimidating - I can feel the levels of testosterone pumping in the air. If that’s not your thing, there are a couple of other options (including affordable ones!) that might be more welcoming. This year, we are not allowing the dreary weather, stress of school, or daunting weight room to scare us away from the promises we made to ourselves at the beginning of the year to keep up with daily movement and exercise. The best way to stay consistent is to find a method that you truly enjoy - whether that’s strictly cardio, yoga, pilates, weightlifting, or a combination of them all!

Pilates

Pilates is an amazing workout that focuses on strengthening the core and smaller muscles throughout the body in a low-impact format. There are many different forms of pilates:, the more basic being Mat pilates, and the more rigorous being Reformer pilates. For mat pilates, the only equipment typically used is a mat (obviously) and potentially some light weights or bands, depending on the class. Reformer Pilates utilizes a more complicated machine made up of various built-in equipment including resistance springs, bands, bungees, and a moving carousel in the center that moves with the resistance springs. If you’ve never seen a Reformer Pilates machine, they might look a little like torture devices at first…. But after getting used to their bells and whistles, a Reformer Pilates class will have you feeling the burn like no other workout.

As a beginner, one of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to get started with mat pilates is through online platforms. Youtube has tons of amazing videos that are super beginner-friendly (and are entirely free!). On YouTube, Move With Nicole has hundreds of pilates and yoga-style workouts. With the calming music and ambiance in the background, you are sure to feel strengthened and relaxed after following along.

The Alo Moves app is a platform that hosts thousands of workouts, including Pilates, Yoga, HIIT, and strength training, with many different instructors, depending on your vibe. Videos are in a simple, follow-along format and require little to minimal equipment - so you can just roll out your mat and move your body! For students, it costs $49/year and even comes with a 3-month free trial.

If you are willing to make a trip outside of campus to take a class, I would highly recommend Solidcore Studios as a way to get in a pilates-style workout on a megaformer. The instructors encourage a high-energy, welcoming environment so everyone in the class feels motivated to finish strong.

There are multiple Solidcore studios around the city of Philadelphia, the closest location being 22nd and Chestnut St. In terms of cost, Solidcore runs around $35 per class, but offers packages as well as new member and student discounts!

(Disclaimer: After a Solidcore workout, you might need 3-5 business days to recover!)

Yoga

Not only is yoga an amazing way to move your body and get a workout in, but it is also a great way to practice meditation and destress from our busy lives. As students, we are constantly surrounded by social and academic pressures, and sometimes we forget to just slow down and take a breath.

If you’re looking for something low-impact but will still leave you dripping in sweat, hot yoga might be the place for you. Rooms are usually heated to 95-100 degrees - guaranteed to be a steamy class.

On 45th and Walnut, classes at Studio34 Yoga are fairly budget-friendly for college students. In-person classes are between $10 and $18, while their online platform is around $20/month. They offer various forms of yoga flow classes.

If you’re looking to take a hot class, try visiting YogaSix, where classes are $25-30, depending on the location, and they offer new members one free class. They offer a variety of classes, from more “relaxing” flow classes to faster-paced, higher-intensity classes. Currently, they have a location at 17th and Walnut but are opening a new studio at Rittenhouse soon!

Spin

Cycling classes take place on stationary bikes and are an excellent cardio workout to get your heart rate skyrocketing. Spin classes are known for their super high-energy environment, as experienced by upbeat music so you can cycle to the beat in addition to super encouraging instructors. Usually, cycling classes require you to either rent or bring your own cycling shoes that clip onto the bike so you are secure throughout your ride, so keep that in mind when booking your next class.

The Peloton app offers a monthly membership at a rate of $12.99/month for follow-along spin classes, even if you don’t have a Peloton bike. You can simply hop on a stationary bike at any of the gym locations on campus and complete your guided workout.

SoulCycle has a cult following for its tough but motivating spin classes. At their Rittenhouse location, they offer classes that are around $30 per class, plus the cost of spin shoes they have available for rent.

Finally, as Penn students, we can book exercise classes entirely for free through Penn Recreation held at Pottruck. Gather a group of friends after class or on a weekend and make your way to the third or fourth floor to take a high-intensity HIIT class or a relaxing yoga class.

Exercise can sometimes feel like a chore, even when it is inherently meant to be time for personal growth, development, and relaxation. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what works best for your lifestyle, your schedule, and your preferences. Whether it’s exclusively going to group classes or taking advantage of Penn’s facilities, don’t forget to schedule some time for wellness into your G-Cal!

Featured image courtesy of Pop Sugar