The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

A Freshman at the Rec

Engaging in public physical activity was the last thing on my freshmen college to-do list, so going to the Rec Center wasn’t exactly my idea of a fun weekday afternoon. I’m not anti-exercise or anything, I just prefer to burn calories without loads of upperclassmen around to watch me struggle and embarrass myself.

Walking down 16th, I built up the expectation that everyone in there would be super fit and have the mental drive and stamina of an Olympic gymnast. I was terrified I would walk in and everyone would immediately label me the out-of-place, unfit freshmen. But I walked in and was greeted by a friend from high school, which slightly calmed my growing anxiety.

The odd L-shape of the hallway threw me off. I saw people downstairs through the massive windows, but I didn’t see how to get down there. I just kept walking like I’d been here hundreds of times and that I knew exactly where the stairwell was. I think I fooled everyone since no one came up to me to ask if I was a freshman, which is a regular thing when I visit a new building on campus.

I was completely and happily wrong about the atmosphere in the Rec Center—no crazy gymnasts here. Everyone was in their own mental zone while running on a treadmill or using the elliptical. They were too into their own workout to even have the time to notice me struggling with my own.

Five minutes into the cardio kickboxing class I snuck into, and I wanted to punch myself for deciding to run a couple miles before the class as a warm up. Why did I think I needed to warm up for an hour-long class designed to push you to your limits? I don’t know, either. What part of “cardio kickboxing” I didn’t understand isn’t clear to me yet, but it was enough to underestimate the amount of sweat that would drip off my body.

I didn’t realize this class would actually incorporate moves that required me to have an ounce of rhythm. The teacher did a great job of explaining the moves, but my body isn’t that pristinely coordinated. I was basically a step behind at all times, but I don’t think I was the only the one who couldn’t combine the uppercuts and pulsing perfectly to master the routine.

The girls in the class were super friendly and made me want to come back to the class regularly. Despite the numerous dudes creeping in through the door, I basically felt comfortable. No one in the Rec Center was that typical intimidating gym rat that’s judging you for the measly 10 lbs you’re lifting.

So the Rec Center isn’t actually the most intimidating place on campus, but I’m going to stick to running until the harsh Milwaukee winter hits. But it’s nice to know I can return to the Rec Center without looking like that one freshman that has no clue what’s going on.

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