Hello all and welcome to the first edition of Amateur Hour at Oxford!  As most of you know, the club has been going through some major renovations the past few months,and if you don’t know that then you should definitely check out our RenovationUpdatesPage to see all of the exciting new things coming to Oxford this year. Because there has been so much going on we think that it is important for everyone, new members and veterans, to know all about the innovative new classes, new equipment and new amenities that are being added and updated weekly at Oxford Athletic Club. At Oxford, we have something for everyone. Whether you work out daily or you’re considering getting more active, we have something that is right for you. Trying new things can be a bit intimidating though, which is why I will be taking classes, trying new programs and even expanding taste buds throughout the Club and sharing them with you!

To preface all of this, I should probably tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Elayna, I am 22 years old and am by no means a fitness expert. I have been an athlete most of my life and after recently graduating from the University of Michigan I was not only looking to start my career but looking for ways to stay in shape and meet new people. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and subject myself to some intense workouts and some high possibility for embarrassment in hopes of challenging myself to get out there and try new things. My hope is that this not only helps me expand my mindset on healthy living, but also gives the chance for others to come along for the journey…and possibly start their own at Oxford.

With this said, I am the definition of a beginner in every single one of these classes so please take that into consideration before judging me; please and thank you.

Now that you know a little about me, it’s time to dive (pun intended) into everything you need to know about Aqua H.I.I.T.

Aqua H.I.I.T. is a high intensity interval training class taken on a raft in the pool. Yeah, I was intimidated at first too, especially after I googled it and watched a video of someone doing it. But, it was actually one of the coolest and most dynamic workouts I have ever done. The class is done on specialized rafts called REAX Rafts that provide the perfect amount of stability so that you won’t fall off, but you still feel your core working to maintain balance.

The beginning of the class was mainly spent getting accustomed to the board and doing some basic exercises such as squats and planks, but then, things were turned up. Since this class was new to the Club and to almost everyone in class, it was easy to have a laugh and bond over the exciting challenges of hopping on and balancing on the board. The common fear of the unknown is a great ice breaker! Honestly, at first it was a bit intimidating, not only to think about staying on the board, but to take a group class with some pretty fit folks. It turns out that they were all super supportive and it really was comforting to know we were all in it together.

The class was broken up into groups and alternated churning water and doing other moves such as v-sits and leg lifts amongst many others. Churning the water made doing these moves so much more difficult and worked so many more muscles throughout your body, turning these moves into full body workouts. The class provided versatility in the moves with a range of options within each move for beginners to the more advanced, making this class really for everyone.

It is only 30 minutes long, but that is all you need! The next day muscles that you didn’t even know you had will feel sore, but it is so worth it. It is really a one-of-a-kind class that no one around the area is offering that is fit for anyone that wants to try something new. Now when I see people from class we have a laugh over how funthe workout was and how we can’t wait to sign up for the next session. Turns out that group classes may be the way to go to make new friends as well as get in shape. Who knew? I promise, once you take it you will be looking at the schedule for the next available class! This is a new program so keep a lookout for the latest information about when the classes will be offered. You will not regret it!