By Betsy McKinney
What does GroupX do?
Group X offers over 20 fitness classes per week, including Zumba, yoga, boot camp, spinning, Barre Blaster, Step n Sculpt, kickboxing, abs, cardio, Pilates, and more. Class schedules change with each semester, so be sure to check the St. Edward’s website for an updated calendar of fitness classes.
Each fall, GroupX offers their “Fall into Fitness” program, designed to motivate and energize you to through the rest of the semester, by providing healthy choices and activities while having fun. For a week in October, all GroupX classes are free and themed—such as Black Light Spin, Halloween Zumba, and sunset yoga in front of Main Building.
GroupX also puts on the “Spring Break Shape Up”, a four-week fitness and wellness program that consists of group and personalized workouts to help you reach your health and fitness goals.
To participate in GroupX classes, you need a GroupX pass; the cost is $30 per semester (the amount varies in the summer) and includes access to all classes. Class attendance is on a first come, first served basis. Some formats have class limits. Participants without a GroupX pass will not be granted access to the class.
What do you get out of participating in GroupX?
GroupX provides a safe space for participants to explore holistic health in a judgment-free environment. Katie Biggerstaff, coordinator of GroupX, explained to me that she sees communities formed in each fitness class as they encourage and support each other during workouts and throughout their own fitness journey. She notes that “there is a fitness class for everyone, regardless of fitness level, age, gender, whatever it is.”
Newcomers feel welcome and seamlessly integrated into the workouts, as I experienced as a new participant to Katie’s thirty-minute ab class. Each instructor offers modifications to people of all fitness levels, and participants encourage each other throughout the process. This atmosphere of making everyone feel like they are an integral part of the community contributes to the organization’s mission and values of inclusivity and acceptance, no matter where you stand with your physical, mental, or spiritual health.
Unlike other clubs and organizations on campus, GroupX offers St. Edward’s students, faculty, and staff the unique opportunity to work on physical health while also developing beneficial emotional and spiritual practices and engaging in a supportive community.
What does GroupX contribute to the St. Edward’s community?
GroupX fitness classes are offered on campus and create a community of support, fun, and challenge. The classes bring together students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds who have a common interest in fitness and health. These shared interests allow participants to foster closer relationships with each other as well as the vital connection between the individual with the body and mind. GroupX offers the unique opportunity for people from different facets on campus, from students to employees of St. Edward’s, to interact with each other on an equal playing field.
GroupX is unique because they generate dialogue among participants in a way that does not happen in other venues on campus. These fitness classes will introduce you to the world of holistic wellness—starting at physical health and branching to increased emotional stability, spiritual nourishment, and strengthened social relationships with participants from all facets of St. Edward’s life.
How can students get involved?
For more information, please visit Campus Recreation or contact Andy Lemons, Director of Campus Recreation, at andyl@stedwards.edu.