Group Exercise Class Descriptions | YMCA DC
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Group Exercise Class Descriptions

Aerial Yoga: This class is a smooth merger of yoga and acrobats. This class allows participants to quickly deepen their stretches to find proper alignment naturally, without strain on the joints of the body while being suspended in the air by silk harnesses. Please note that this a FEE based class, rates announced when the class is offered.

Barre: A great toning workout that uses the ballet barre and its incorporation of movements derived from ballet

Bodypump™: A challenging original barbell class that strengthens and tones your entire body using a barbell, weights, a step,

Bootcamp: You can command Power, Strength and Agility with this military-inspired circuit workout that will push you to your limits. As you maneuver your way through each workout station, you’ll lunge, crunch, box and more for a full-body workout. In the end, you’ll leave class feeling exhilarated.

Cardio Kickboxing: This high-intensity class combines martial arts techniques with fast-paced cardio. This high-energy workout challenges beginner and intermediate athletes(This is a non-contact class.).

Cycle: A 45-60 minute high-energy class using stationary bikes. This class provides a blend of fun, motivating music, and a certified instructor guaranteed to give you a cardio burn!

Grit®: Designed to burn fat and rapidly improve athletic capability, this explosive, 30-minute team training session combines high impact bodyweight exercises and uses no equipment. Led by a highly-trained coach, LES MILLS GRIT® Cardio provides the challenge and intensity you need to take your training up a notch and really get results.

H.I.I.T: This class uses non-choreographed exercises to train athletes and non-athletes to perform better in sport and life. It is a circuit of high-intensity strength and cardio intervals targeting the full-body, with special emphasis on the core. There will be multiple stations utilizing unique types of equipment to keep the energy high and heart pumping!

Meditation: Awaken your creativity and center your for the day/week with a 20-minute semi0-guided meditation. New to meditation? Attend this class and learn how to observe your current state of mind and body through gentle words of guidance. If you meditate frequently, use this time to deepen your practice and take-home tips to keep your stress at bay.

Pilates Mat: Pilates Mat classes are designed to improve strength, flexibility, coordination and balance through a series of pushing and pulling exercises that may add resistance for an extra challenge.

Pilates Reformer: The Pilates reformer table works to strengthen and correct posture of the legs and glutes and helps to realign the torso and increase strength in the upper body among many other benefits. It produces visible results within a dozen regular sessions helping to achieve toned arms and legs and defining firmer abdominal muscles. The Reformer table is large enough to accommodate a full-range of motion and provides resistance, which is wonderful for increasing flexibility while building strength. Please note that this is a FEE based class, rates to be announced when the class is scheduled.

Power Vinyasa: This class incorporates regular sequences that become familiar to students, but incorporates variations to modify, intensify, or challenge the body by altering the pace or duration of poses and the frequency that they are repeated.

Stability and Balance: This class is designed to help participants become stronger and improve balance. The movements taught in class focus on improving strength and power around the core & joints while improving reaction time. This class is designed for nearly every fitness level.

Step: This class will give your heart, body, and mind a workout with easy-to-follow low or high impact choreography that keeps you interested and challenged. Both novice and experienced steppers are encouraged to attend. Proper form and stepping technique is a priority for safe and effective practice in this class. For an added bonus, abdominal, low back, and flexibility training is also incorporated.

Sunrise Yoga: Begin your day with a centering and awakening yoga class designed to stretch your body and enrich your spirit. Stimulate your creativity through a beginning meditation and warm up with gentle flow postures guaranteed to set you up for a successful day.

Tabata: A High-Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T) class that uses shorter rest periods between body weight, resistance, and cardio exercises designed to maximize your anaerobic and aerobic thresholds, helping you to build muscle and increase endurance all in one class! Tai Chi Chuan & Qi Gong: Join in on the moving meditation! This practice, over time, leads to better balance, posture as well as better mental focus by creating a calm and clear mind. Additional benefits include an increase in muscle tone, strength, and flexibility, making functional day-to-day activities easier and more enjoyable.

TRX: The TRX system focuses on developing agility, speed, endurance and body resistance via a mechanism of suspension exercises.

Vinyasa Yoga: Vinyasa classes use the flowing Vinyasa movement of Ashtanga yoga, but incorporates a variety of postures (instead of a set series of postures like Ashtanga) to cultivate balance, flexibility, strength and endurance.

Water Aerobics (Shallow): This is a low-impact water class designed to provide cardio conditioning, improved muscle tone, and improved balance. The class will utilize different equipment for a fun challenge. It is a total body workout without the stress of land-based exercise. Nonswimmers welcome.

Zumba®: It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin international-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health.