As college students, it’s easy to let movement fall to the bottom of our to-do lists. But when deadlines pile up and stress levels rise, taking time to move your body — even for just 45 minutes — can make a huge difference.
That’s why we decided to try out every group fitness class the Vanderbilt Rec offers. The best part? They’re completely free for students. Whether you’re a gym rat or beginning your fitness journey, these classes offer a low-pressure, high-reward way to stay active.
Note: We completed the classes available during the Fall 2025 semester. Classes change every semester; you can view the updated schedule here. Individual class registration opens 48 hours before the class start time.
Cardio and conditioning
Cycle
Written By: Daniela Aguilar, Life Editor; Kailey Aldrich, Nashville Correspondent; Xuyang Yang, Staff Writer
We kicked things off with cycle — a class that had us sweating, sprinting and surprisingly, humming along to Lady Gaga.
Walking into the studio, I felt a bit nervous. I immediately had to set up my own machine and figure out the settings that worked best for me. It felt like everyone there already knew what to do, so I had to trust that I was confident in my own abilities and not let this feeling get the best of me. Once I was adjusted, the class began, and our amazing instructor, Johnny Pryor, began the class on a high note by asking what music the class wanted to hear. Eventually, Lady Gaga took the ballot, and we were off.
The class followed a “ladder” format, alternating between seated and standing sprints, gradually increasing intensity. We also tackled “hills,” adjusting our resistance to simulate uphill climbs and downhill coasts. By the end of the class, I could definitely feel the intensity in my legs, but most importantly, I felt accomplished. As someone who usually does cardio solo, I found the group setting highly motivating.
After our first lesson, I think it’s safe to say we can give some pointers: Arrive early to set up your bike and ask questions, stretch beforehand and don’t be afraid to modify the resistance to match your comfort level. Also, don’t be intimidated — everyone has a first time for everything, and no one is judging you. Even if you arrive 15 minutes late (like one of our writers did), you will still be greeted warmly to join the others fast at work in the middle of the room. Just make sure to tilt the bike at a slanted angle to move it across the room because they are heavier than you think.
After class, we chatted with Pryor, who has been teaching group fitness classes since 2000.
“I try to make fitness fun — hard, but fun,” Pryor said. “I encourage all students to try all the classes, find out what they like, then come back.”
When asked what keeps him coming back after 25 years, Pryor said “you guys.”
That care was clear throughout the class. He was always walking around and checking on people throughout the course. At one point, he gave a shoutout to a Ph.D. student completing his final cycle class after ten years at Vanderbilt. This heartwarming moment made the space feel personal and welcoming. Trust us, you will be encouraged to come back by the vibes alone.
Functional fitness
Written By: Aguilar
Also led by Johnny Pryor, this class had a boot-camp vibe right from the start. We lined up in a row, which felt a little intimidating at first, like something out of an early 2000s challenge show. But it quickly became clear that Pryor’s intensity comes from a place of encouragement.
We kicked things off with cardio warmups, sometimes with a partner, before moving into strength training using light weights (three to five pounds). We completed three sets of 10 exercises, with reps decreasing each round (15, 12 and 10). I appreciated that the class got to choose whether to start high or low. After each set, we ran a lap around the track.
Pryor was attentive to form, offering help when needed. We wrapped up with a fun twist: each participant picked a core move for the group to do together.
It was a challenging but rewarding workout and a great way to build strength and community.
Boxing dance fusion
Written by: Aguilar, Aldrich
We sure packed a punch with this next class, which was boxing dance fusion. The class started with a jump rope warm-up, followed by a group drill where we shuffled in a circle and tossed a ball to one another. If someone dropped it, the whole group had to do five jumping jacks — a playful way for us to loosen up and laugh. The one thing that shouldn’t be loose during this class is the way your hair is tied up. Not even 10 seconds into the warmup, my bun fell apart, and I had to swap it for a ponytail.
Then came the boxing gloves. With two to three pound dumbbells in hand, we punched in rhythm to “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G., which was the perfect track for an eight-count combo.
Next, we transitioned into a choreographed routine that blended jumping jacks, punches and knee raises — all set to “Wipe Me Down” by Trill Family. I was already a fan of the song, so I couldn’t help but smile through the sweat. Coach Robbie’s playlist was a 10/10; all of the movements aligned with the beat of the song. The repetition of movements made it easy to follow and easy to jump back into if you messed up.
After class, we caught up with Coach Robbie, a USA Boxing Bronze Certified coach who teaches classes at the Rec and with a nonprofit that brings boxing to Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools students. Oh — and she fights in matches too.
During one of our breaks, I overheard her chatting with two regulars about her recent match. It was clear she has a close bond with her students.
Overall, my main takeaway from this class was not to be afraid to get out of your comfort zone because you may end up having more fun than anticipated!
Strength and sculpt
Barre
Written by: Aguilar, Aldrich
Kick your shoes off and get ready for barre! Quite frankly, I had no clue what barre was before signing up. After reading that it combines “elements of Pilates, yoga, dance and strength training,” I was intrigued.
The class started off with standing movements using light hand weights, set to catchy songs like “APT” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars and “Sports Car” by Tate McRae. It felt like a weighted dance class. The instructor was super friendly and clear, guiding us through each transition so even beginners like us could follow along easily.
Midway through, we switched things up with floor exercises and resistance bands — and that’s when the burn really kicked in. My thighs were on fire in the best way. Toward the end, we grabbed the bars for a series of small, controlled movements. Secretly envious of everyone whose parents signed them up for ballet in elementary school, I was incredibly excited for my ballerina moment. Most of the moves included our feet being pointed outward, small squats, pulsing and calf raises.
By the time we cooled down, I felt both graceful and pumped. This class definitely filled up fast, so make sure to register as soon as spots open and arrive early to grab your preferred weight size.
Lower body burn
Written by: Aguilar, Yang
Lower Body Burn focuses on the thighs, glutes and core through Pilates and barre-inspired movements. The class moved at an easy-to-follow pace, and I especially appreciated how the instructor offered modifications throughout, making each exercise adaptable to different comfort levels and abilities. Helpful reminders about breathwork for abs absolutely made sure you got the most out of it.
Intensity could be added to the workout with a yoga ball or small dumbbells, or you could just use your body weight alone. One of our writers, a moderate home Pilates and yoga lover for a year now, felt that only two of the exercises were a little challenging, so it may be lacking the intensity a long-time trainer might be looking for. However, it is a perfect, low-impact daily dose of movement during exam season to unwind from all the tension.
The class was led by Katie Clark, a Ph.D. candidate in Vanderbilt’s neuroscience program and an ACE-certified group fitness instructor. Clark has been teaching for six years and previously worked at Duke, where she taught a variety of formats, including boot camp-style classes. As an instructor, she had a sweet, open and encouraging energy that would make you fall in love with Pilates at any skill level.
“I like that this is a low-intensity exercise yet still accessible to everyone — whether that means you’re 14 or 65. It’s very adaptable,” Clark said.
Full body sculpt
Written by: Aguilar
My body definitely felt sculpted after this one. I arrived a few minutes late and the class was already in full swing — crunches on the mat, no time wasted. This class blends Pilates, yoga, barre and strength training.
We moved through a series of floor exercises before transitioning to standing arm work with light weights. The instructor stood out for her personal touch as she knew some students by name and gave shoutouts throughout.
Next came gliding discs, which I had never used before. I’m 99% sure I was doing it wrong, but I kept going, using them to deepen my squats. We ended with a cooldown that felt well-earned.
While this class wasn’t my favorite — it leaned more traditional and less “fun” than others — it’s a solid option if you’re looking for a full-body burn in under an hour.
Strength and stretch
Written by: Aguilar
This class was an incredible full-body workout that helped me pinpoint exactly what I need to improve on (spoiler: my core). The focus was on both strength and endurance, starting with targeted stretches and bodyweight movements before transitioning into weight training. Most attendees used light-to-medium weights, and I alternated between 8- and 12-pound dumbbells depending on the exercise. Some moves that stood out were windmill lunges and “dinosaur walks”; they looked a little silly at first but turned out to be surprisingly effective.
We wrapped up with a unique exercise: arm dancing. For five straight minutes, we kept our arms lifted while moving through a series of upper-body combinations. It was a lot more difficult than it sounds, but I persisted and couldn’t help feeling proud when I finally made it to the end.
Strength and stamina
Written by: Aguilar
Strength and stamina was one of the harder classes I tried but easily one of the most rewarding. We moved through a full-body routine that mixed weights with focused muscle-group work — arms, shoulders, legs, triceps, hamstrings, chest and finally core. Each section was set to upbeat tracks from artists like Olivia Rodrigo and BTS, which made the burn feel a little more manageable. A festive holiday track even made its way into the playlist, which felt perfectly on-season.
Despite the intensity, the instructor kept things light and fun. One of my favorite moments was doing quick poses after every sit-up, which added a hint of silliness.
Challenging? Definitely. Worth it? Absolutely.
Dance
Bhangra dance
Written by: Aguilar
Knowing that I’d been putting off trying any dance classes, I was both nervous to face Bhangra and excited to step outside my comfort zone. The instructor, Sona, warmly introduced herself to my friend and me — we were the only first-timers in the class — and made us feel at ease. Throughout the session, she kept the atmosphere welcoming, checking in to see if we wanted anything repeated or slowed down.
We started with about five minutes of stretching, which was necessary since Bhangra can be joint-heavy. We learned three fundamental steps, gradually picking up the pace until we combined them, along with a few more advanced moves, into a full routine set to an upbeat song. It was tough, and I give huge props to our Bhangradores.
What stood out most to me was how Sona went beyond just teaching the steps. She also delved into the history of the dance. Bhangra originates from the farming districts of the Punjab region of India, and one of the moves we learned — Fussla — mimics wheat swaying in the wind. Sona constantly reminded us to smile, explaining that expression is at the heart of Bhangra.
Overall, I can’t recommend this class enough — even if, like me, you’re a little intimidated at first.
Bollywood cardio dance
Written by: Aldrich
While I love a good dance cardio class, I was a little nervous doing this class. I knew nothing about what Bollywood was, and the music was unfamiliar to me. Off the bat, though, the instructor had great energy and did a great job at demonstrating the moves. I have terrible coordination at times, so I may have spent more time than I am willing to admit trying to synchronize my arm movements with my foot movements. This made some of the moves tricky for me, but I did feel like I was doing a lot of moving and dancing, rather than just a string of plain old moves. I feel like this class was a mix of both learning common Bollywood moves as well as some light cardio. A lot of the moves involved moving your arms and legs in beat with the music while also moving around a little, normally with small hops.
I still do not think I would recognize these songs in the wild, but I had a lot of fun trying something new, and I feel like I learned a lot about a different kind of dance cardio. If you love to move, this class is a must-try!
Ballet dance
Written by: Aldrich
This class was a little out of my comfort zone as I feel I lack the poise of a ballerina. Despite that, I was excited for this class. I have always admired dancers and dreamed of being one, so this was my moment to pretend for a while that I was. Make sure you are wearing matching socks!
Even though I had to leave the class a little early, I had such an amazing time. I felt lighter on my feet, and I was able to channel my inner balance. I learned a lot about the different feet and hand positions during the warmup, and I felt like after the first few exercises I had it down. I was able to take my eyes off the instructor for a few seconds and really focus inward. I am normally not a graceful person, but this class gave me the confidence to try the things I have always wanted to do. If you find yourself to be like me (ungraceful), I encourage you to sign up for this class.
Cardio dance
Written by: Aguilar
This class jumps into full gear from the start, with the instructor dancing front and center. The choreography is repetitive enough to follow along, but it seemed like everyone else had been to the class before and done the dances already, so it felt a bit awkward for me. It reminded me of a group Just Dance session — except everyone else had played the song before, and I was trying to catch up.
The playlist leaned heavily into radio pop (think Imagine Dragons, Jason Derulo and Taylor Swift), which wasn’t really my vibe, but it ended with more of an R&B feel, including Rihanna, which I enjoyed more. There were two songs that felt more like traditional standing ab workouts, just in sync to the music, which I liked better.
Would I go back? Probably not. But it’s definitely worth trying to see if it’s your vibe. I think I’ll stick to “Rasputin” on Just Dance.
Yoga
Power yoga
Written by: Aldrich, Yang
I feared what “power” yoga would entail, but this class was very enjoyable. I would recommend grabbing two mats to layer up since they are thin. Once you are set up, this yoga is fast paced, so make sure you are ready to move!
We started in child’s pose, just stretching our hips and aligning ourselves into the coming motions. With some affirmations in mind and a reminder to “stay in the present moment,” we were quickly off the ground and starting the session. An important part of yoga is the chaturanga, which is a high plank transitioned into a low plank, followed by a version of cobra or an upward-dog and then reversed all the way back to a downward-dog. The movements in the routine emphasized balance, coordination and core strength. Each portion of the class started and ended with a chaturanga, so it was like a way to reset and start anew.
Some of the poses we ran through were the different versions of warrior, as well as the chair pose. Each pose flowed into the next and with each transition you could feel the energy of the room relax. I think it’s safe to say we unanimously agreed that this point of the class was certainly not beginner friendly, but the instructor reminded us to only do what we were comfortable with. Some poses have varying versions, and the best way to do yoga is to keep your comfort in mind and not to push yourself too far. Even if you can’t wrap your knee around your back with ease, you’ll still be just fine in this class.
My favorite pose and the only acceptable way to end a yoga class is happy baby. On your back, you straighten your legs in the air and grab your feet. Then, you mostly just roll around stretching and rolling out your spine, hips and hamstrings. We ended up with a few more grounding poses and a reminder of our affirmations. Considering I almost fell asleep from the peace I felt near the end, this was certainly one of the most rewarding yoga sessions for me after a slow start to a week.
Slow flow yoga
Written by: Aguilar
As the name suggests, slow flow yoga is one of the most calming and relaxing classes the Rec has to offer. When I walked in, it was just me and one other student, but instead of feeling intimidated, I immediately felt at ease thanks to the instructor’s openness to all experience levels.
Honestly, I can’t recall many of the details because I was completely in the moment, focused on my breathing and relaxation. And that’s exactly the point.
I highly recommend this class if you’re looking to stretch and unwind, whether it’s after a long week of exams or simply an act of self-care.
Rise and flow yoga
Written by: Aguilar
Looking for a peaceful start to your morning? Rise and flow might be just what you need. I’ll admit — I was dreading the early walk to the Rec for a 7:15 a.m. CST yoga class. But once it began, I quickly realized it was worth it. The instructor invited us to set an intention for the day, and paired with gentle movement, it was the perfect way to ease into the morning and ground myself for what was ahead.
Vinyasa yoga
Written by: Aguilar
Being on a Sunday, vinyasa yoga was the only weekend class offered — and it was the perfect way to take a breather (literally) and shake off any stress built up throughout the week. Vinyasa focuses on connecting breath with movement and developing a deeper mind–body awareness.
As we ended, the instructor shared a quote from Pema Chödrön’s book “When Things Fall Apart” that really stuck with me: “Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition, if we could only realize it. Nothing ever sums itself up in the way that we like to dream about. The off-center, in-between state is an ideal situation, a situation in which we don’t get caught and we can open our hearts and minds beyond limit.”
As we settled into corpse pose, I felt my mind drift and my body relax, taking in the meaning of those words.
Overall, we’re really glad we took on this fitness challenge. The Rec’s group fitness classes are a resource many students may not even realize exist and one that deserves more attention. Don’t be intimidated. You might end up loving the group energy or discovering that you prefer working out on your own. Either way, finding ways to move your body is always a win.
