Though Colgate University students have battled for the next available machine at the Trudy Fitness Center even well after New Year’s resolutions begin to sizzle out, ’Gate Fitness classes offer a fun alternative for all students. Classes feature various activities such as yoga, boxing and stationary bike classes, also known as spin classes.
Senior Raina Land, a spin instructor through ’Gate Fitness, recognizes the importance of finding joy in working out. Through her classes, she aims to create a positive communal environment to get everyone in the mood to work out.
“I try to exercise a lot, and something that I’ve found is that if I don’t like the exercise that I’m doing, then I don’t want to exercise,” Land said.
Land has attended spin classes on campus as well as in her hometown of Colorado Springs, Colo., where she still participates over breaks. While these classes can be somewhat daunting to attend on your own, Land recommends going with some friends to keep it fun. She also shared a particularly memorable spin class that was led by Vice President and Dean of the College Paul McLoughlin.
“Going to an exercise class alone is a little scary, so I went to some with some of my roommates,” Land said. “I went to one with my parents over Family Weekend, and it was taught by [McLoughlin] — it was a lot of fun.”
While ’Gate Fitness classes might make some students a little weary, as it can be nerve-wracking to try an activity in a bigger environment, Land explained how a community forms over time through participation in these classes.
“I gravitated towards it because of the group setting, [because I like] being in a class filled with people who are all wanting the same thing as you and surrounded by people that are in the same mindset as you,” Land explained.
As of this year, ’Gate Fitness classes no longer count toward the physical education credit that Colgate requires. While this change might disincentivize some students from getting involved, Land believes there is still a lot of value in participating.
“I think the ’Gate Fitness classes are great, and I think it’s unfortunate that they are not counted as PE credit anymore,” Land shared. “I think that it would definitely raise attendance if they were counted as PE credit, but it’s still a great offering, and people should utilize it more than they do.”
No good workout would be complete without the proper playlist to accompany it. Land prides herself on curating this perfect mix as she prepares for her weekly classes.
“Anytime I’m working out, it’s usually in preparation for my class. I’m making new playlists and trying out new songs on my own,” Land said.
She keeps the energy in the studio high by incorporating a selection of music from her own taste, as well as her friends and participants in her classes.
“I make lots of playlists. It’s mostly upbeat, techno music. I like a lot of EDM, and I try to incorporate song requests that my friends have. They’ll say, ‘I heard this song and I thought of you, and you should add it to your spin class.’ So I’ll try to put it in there,” Land said.
Outside of instructing, Land is also involved in Colgate’s chamber music orchestra, where she plays the flute. Her passion for classical music has had a clear impact on her class as well.
“I made a playlist around one of my favorite techno songs, which is a classical techno song. It takes classical music and puts a techno beat over it, so that’s really fun. I made it work into one of my spin classes,” Land said.
Anyone interested in attending one of Land’s future classes can find a schedule and more information online.
