Students spotted leaving the Activities and Recreation Center on Thursday flaunted a different kind of post-workout glow—they were “beaming.” This semester the ARC is offering a group fitness class called BeamWork on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

The class utilizes a brand new piece of fitness equipment, the Beamfit beam, to target core muscles and improve balance and flexibility.

“I’ve felt muscles that I have never felt worked before after using the beam,” said class instructor Lynn Herrmann.

Herrmann, a graduate student, has been teaching group fitness classes including Zumba, Yogalates, Get on the Ball and MVE Pilates, for the past six years.

“We always like to have the latest and greatest in group fitness,” she said. “We heard it was new and we wanted to have it. Luckily we’re at this University where we want to educate our participants just as much as our instructors.”

Although the beam is only two inches from the floor, the instability it creates tones muscles that ordinarily might not get worked.

“It doesn’t matter how fit you think you are or how fit you actually are,” Herrmann said. “When you’re on the beam it changes things. It’s a different dynamic.”

The 45-minute class incorporates various techniques from other exercise areas, including yoga and pilates. Although the exercises work best when done on the beam, beginners can do the exact routine on the floor and still boast results.

“You can modify everything we do in this class, so it’s definitely for all levels,” Herrmann said.

Mallory Burns, senior in LAS, said she wanted to take the class to work on her balance.

The class was part of a week-long promotion by Campus Recreation that allowed students to try any of the group fitness classes for free.

“It’s free and (my friend and I) are trying all of them,” Burns said. As of Thursday, the BeamWork class was her fifth free class of the week.

The promotion gives students a chance to explore classes risk-free. For the remaining part of the semester, single use passes for group fitness classes are $7 each, or $50 for an unlimited pass that is valid until December. Although Burns said she had never taken a group fitness class before last week, she has already purchased her unlimited pass because she enjoyed all of the classes she has taken so far.

“I’m really into fitness now and getting in shape,” Burns said.

Michelle Kelleher, junior in LAS, lived on campus over the summer and has taken several of the fitness classes taught by Herrmann.

“I really liked the class, especially because (Herrmann) is teaching it,” Kelleher said. “She is the best instructor I’ve had here.”

Group fitness classes motivate students to stay fit and healthy, and allow them to take advantage of a variety of equipment they do not have at home. The only stoic question that remains, then, is “To beam or not to beam?”