Sadie Heller ‘19 – SOULCYCLE

Sum up the experience.

It’s a workout that doesn’t feel like you’re working out; you’re just having a lot of fun. It’s a cycling class, but you cycle to the beat of the music. It’s really dark except for candles around the instructor, and there are mirrors, so it’s really cool to see everyone in sync.

Favorite part?

It’s such a good workout, but you’re having fun the entire time. You feel completely cleansed at the end of the class.

Hardest part?

Sometimes the rhythm picks up, and you’re really tired so it’s hard to keep up.

What keeps you coming back?

The rush of adrenaline, having fun, and it’s good for you.

Best workout song?

The Kygo Remix of “Often” by the Weeknd.

Christian Armstrong ‘18 – X-SPORT/Lakefront Trail

Sum up the experience.

When I go to the gym, I squat, deadlift, lunges, leg press, and a whole core circuit. When I go to the lakefront trail, I run.

Favorite thing about it?

I know I’m working towards a goal. And once you’re done, you feel you’ve accomplished a lot.

Hardest part?

Getting yourself there. Until you’re there, it feels like a chore.

What keeps you coming back?

I run because I enjoy running; it clears my head. It’s almost therapeutic. I go to the gym because I’m working towards a goal – to get better at baseball.

Best workout song?

Anything country. Especially, “I Like the Sound of That” by Rascal Flatts.

Priya Charles ‘18 – SHRED 415

Sum up the experience.

It’s called “Shred 415” because you do 4 increments of 15-minute super intense workouts, so it’s actually really fun. They play super fun music the whole time. It’s a lot of stuff like running on inclines on the treadmills, and when you switch to the decks you do planking, high knees, things like that.

Favorite thing about it?

One, the music keeps me going, because otherwise I’d be dying. But the treadmill part, for me, is most fun because I like running.

Hardest part?

Working on the benches, because you have to do push-ups and planks. And there’s an instructor who keeps you going and yells at you the whole time.

What keeps you coming back?

Definitely the fact that my whole [soccer] team was doing it, and probably just the atmosphere, because it’s super fun.

Best workout song?

Anything by Beyoncé.

Virginia Trickey ‘17 – YOGA SIX HOT YOGA

Sum up the experience.

It’s just like normal yoga, but it’s in a 103-degree room with soft music playing. You’re stretching out your muscles and strengthening them through difficult positions.

Favorite thing about it?

How clean and detoxified I feel afterwards, and how accomplished I feel. I feel so much looser after.

Hardest part?

For me, usually to maintain my balance when we’re in the harder poses.

What keeps you coming back?

The feeling it gives me afterwards. There is no other class that makes you feel like hot yoga does.

Best workout song.

I like it when they have really soft music playing.

Caitriona Tobin, Math Department – Chicago Area Runners Association

Sum up the experience.

Well, coming from the girl whose mile time in high school was probably close to twelve minutes, it’s an accomplishment I’m quite proud of. You train train train for eighteen weeks, push your body farther than you ever thought you could, and then prove to yourself that your mind is stronger than your body.  You will hit a wall, all runners do…but you have to listen to your strong mind over your tired feet.

Favorite thing about it?

My amazing group. Can I give a shout out? I will.  I run with the Awesomes from CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association). It’s the best running group in Chicago and I’ve met some of my closest friends there…incredibly inspirational, fun, hard-working people.  Plus trips! Last year we went to Nashville, and there are trips to Cincinnati, Aspen, New Orleans, and Disney World on the horizon all for races.

Hardest part?

The time commitment. There are points in the training when you’re running 6 miles on a Monday and Thursday, 10 on a Wednesday, and 20 on a Saturday.  Waking up at 4 am in the morning to run can be rough sometimes.  It is certainly a time sucker.

What keeps you coming back/motivates you to continue?

Besides the fitness aspect and my amazing running group?  THE ENDORPHINS.  They’re addicting…no lie.

Best workout song.

Pretty much anything from High School Musical (the first, duh).