After a month of Christmas parties, eggnog and endless varieties of desserts, working out may be the last thing on student's minds.
Active Auburn is a class that keeps students accountable to their workout plan, while earning class credit at the same time.
Active Auburn is a two-credit class and is offered in five different sections taught by graduate teaching assistants.
"It really motivates people through a grade to become physically active and explore the different opportunities... that are offered on campus," said Lorena Salom, graduate teaching assistant for Active Auburn. "It really helps students kind of find their niche and find what they enjoy physical activity wise."
Students have to take an average of three group fitness classes a week for the semester and finish an online portion.
According to Salom, the online portion includes different modules about physical activity, including how to start exercising and health benefits of exercising. After students read the modules, they take an assessment at the end.
With the new Recreation and Wellness Center came a new policy for Active Auburn students.
In the past, Active Auburn students could just show up to a group fitness class without signing up beforehand.
Starting in fall 2013, students have to register using a new reservation system for the class they want to take before they show up. Class spots are split between people with group fitness passes and Active Auburn students.
"You have to register... for a spot to take the class, and we split it up pretty much 50-50," said Susannah Taylor, fitness coordinator at campus recreation. "So, if the class is only open to 20 people, it would be open to 10 Active Auburn [students] and 10 Group Fitness [students]."
Taylor also said if those spots remain available, there is a standby option to fill the extra space.
"There is also a new cancelation policy that says students have to give notice two hours in advance over email," said Pam Wiggins, director of group fitness. "If the student continues to not show up, then they block their pass for one week."
Wiggins said although they can no longer reserve classes, it does not necessarily mean they cannot take a class,
Wiggins also said Active Auburn started three years ago with only two sections and it has continued to grow since.
"The goal to me is to give them a whole look at what group fitness offers," Wiggins said.
Wiggins said as a result of Active Auburn classes, students are more likely to take classes outside their comfort zones. For example, she has seen more males doing yoga classes and women taking strength classes, like kettle bells and Tiger Pump.
"If it hadn't been a requirement, I don't think they would have shown up," Wiggins said.
Wiggins also said she thinks Active Auburn students continue to take group fitness classes even after they're done with the class.
Salom said Active Auburn students are mostly sophomores, juniors and seniors because there is a class specifically offered for freshman that has similar objectives.
Salom also said she never gave any failing grades unless the student never showed up to the classes.
"Most everybody was able to keep up with it quite well," Salom said. "Everybody who stayed in the class, which was a large majority, was able to finish their classes just fine."
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