New structuring for fitness classes has been introduced to increase attendance at the Rec Center and potentially promote the construction of a new recreational facility.

On Feb. 4, Marquette Student Government proposed a feasibility study to see if a plan for construction of a new fitness facility could move forward.

Recreational directors said some fitness classes fill up almost immediately on sign-up day, while other less popular classes close due to low enrollment. Later in the semester, attendance tends to decline, although enrollment fees have already been paid.

In response, Rec Sports has made adjustments to group fitness class structures and payment options. These adjustments aim to keep classes cost efficient for students as well as keep attendance numbers high in an effort to show a need for the construction of an additional fitness facility.

Instead of a semester-long session, there are now two sessions offered for fitness classes. Session A runs the first six weeks of classes, until spring break. Students were able to sign up for session A during the first week of classes. Session B is the four weeks following spring break, and sign ups are available now at the Rec Center.

Shannon Bustillos, assistant director of Recreational Sports, said sometimes people want to take fitness classes but are unable to because a class is full or not offered at a convenient time. This new option offers classes for students in a more flexible manner.

“We have a big group of people that usually drop out after spring break,” she said. According to Bustillos, this makes the four weeks after spring break the logical time to test an alternative class option.

Students who can’t fit a consistent class into their schedule will also have the additional option to buy a fitness class punch card.

Punch cards are currently offered for $15 at the Rec Center. The cards will ensure the holder access to 15 classes of their choosing at either campus recreational facility after spring break.

“We are hoping to gain valuable feedback from the punch card system in the future if it is popular and well received by the students,” Bustillos said. “It is a lot less hassle to actually come in, stand in line and register for the classes.”

Bustillos said these changes were instituted because of the high demand for fitness classes.

“Due to the amount of instructors and their schedules and the other activities that use the same space, we cannot please everyone on sign-up day,” she said.

In addition to the new payment options, Friday classes have been introduced for free in hopesd of boosting attendance and enthusiasm for programs run at the Rec Center.

Anne Rowley, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, teaches fitness classes at the Rec Center. She said the addition of a variety of classes on Fridays will expose the student body to what the Rec Center offers.

“It is an opportunity to see how classes are taught and how the program is run,” she said.

Bustillos said she believes students can benefit from the group workout atmosphere.

“It is a nice option to those students who prefer group fitness over a solo workout,” she said.

The Friday program began last week and was a huge success, according to Bustillos.

“We offered classes at two different times in order to gauge what time would work best,” she said, adding that both classes were at capacity.

Kathleen Tresslar, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said the 4 p.m. Zumba class was packed but enjoyable.

“The combination of dancing and exercising made it the most fun workout I’ve had yet at Marquette,” she said.

Bustillos said if she could find more instructors, free classes could be extended to the Rec Plex. Classes could also be held more often at the Rec Center.

“We’re hoping this will encourage continued participation in the classes following spring break,” Bustillos said.