Whether students enjoy late afternoon runs in "The Rec," walks with friends around campus or fitness classes conveniently located near their apartment, there is no shortage of ways to stay active in Auburn. Within the past couple of years, recent fitness additions, such as workout classes or local gyms, have grown to help students maintain healthy lifestyles year-round. These new fitness communities are becoming multigenerational, as they are populated with college students and residents who enjoy a breadth of exercise options.
From popular locations to smaller independent studios, students rave about the exciting fitness scene in Auburn. From everyday to once-a-week subscriptions, each of the studios prioritizes its customers and offers deals to students that best suit their schedule and fitness needs. The novelty options of fitness classes, local fitness studios and student-friendly gyms reveal how convenient staying active is for students with a multitude of needs.
KEY Studios & Wellness
If one is in need of a balance-inspired workout with movement, recovery and mindful energy, KEY Studios & Wellness is one of the many yoga studios near campus, specifically on Samglenn Drive. Not only does KEY offer a variety of classes, including "Sculpt" for hot yoga and "Build & Burn" for resistance training, the studio also recently added nutrition guidance and mat Pilates as a way for beginners to understand the basics of certain movements in their heated classroom.
“KEY is my favorite place in Auburn. Their high-intensity workouts help me focus throughout the week, and the instructors there are so encouraging,” said Molly Ann Phillips, junior in marketing.
She recommends that students embrace the heated workout environments, because it reduces stress throughout hard school weeks or stressful times.
“I always see my friends there, and I love the community that they encourage,” Phillips said.
Key offers a balance of social and educational aspects combined with a fast-paced workout environment, which is available to locals all year long. The KEY employees also strive to give students the best possible experience by changing class schedules to be more accommodating, greeting visitors and building a strong community.
Crunch Fitness
Crunch Fitness, an affordable and inclusive local gym on Opelika Road, offers group fitness classes, personalized training and nutrition benefits.
With a wide variety of group fitness class options, their most popular workouts are barbell, Zumba and STORMHIT classes, all taught by certified instructors.
Crunch's weekly schedule is available online, and the gym offers three membership options, with varying prices and features. This local gym is accessible to anyone in the nearby Auburn area who is looking to stay active.
Lux Lab Studios
Located right near the hub of Auburn's campus, Lux Lab Studios is known for their reformer-based Pilates workouts. Incredibly popular with students, Lux's workouts are intense and low-impact on one's body. The workouts led by these instructors on the reformers promote a combination of strength training and traditional Pilates.
“I love going to Lux, and as a former athlete, it always helps me improve my mindset and flexibility ,” said Ruby Triana, sophomore in international business.
These reformer workouts allow one to expand their comfort zone and work muscles they wouldn't otherwise use on a daily basis.
Auburn University Recreation and Wellness Center
One of the most affordable options for students is the classes and fitness equipment provided at the Auburn University Recreation and Wellness Center on campus.
Most commonly referred to by students as "The Rec," this student resource offers many activities throughout the year. From night cycle to early morning mat Pilates, there are many options to choose from that help students balance staying active, while pursuing their degrees. In addition to these classes, a variety of state-of-the-art equipment is available to use, which is helpful for those who strive for self-paced workouts without any distractions.
The Rec's accessibility makes staying active on campus an affordable resource, and its special attractions such as the rock wall, indoor track and outdoor pool are highlights for many Auburn students throughout the year.
Purvelo Cycle
At 215 W. Glenn Ave., Purvelo Cycle is a studio that specializes in spin classes. Their instructors help customers focus on endurance levels and fast-paced workouts. The combination of aerobic and anaerobic focus translates to improvement of one's cardiovascular and lung strength during each cycle class. Students race to the beat of the music, which keeps Purvelo's environment exciting and social throughout and rewarding at the end of class.
“Purvelo is the best, because I love the instructors and the fast-paced workouts,” said Caroline Vaughan, junior in business administration.
Vaughan also described that each cycle class is centered around high-energy music, motivational lighting and accomplished instructors who help the riders connect with the workout and push themselves to go beyond their goals on the bike.
All these various exercise options around Auburn offer classes as early as 5:30 a.m. in the mornings, and their schedules can go deep into the evening, ending around 8:00 p.m. No matter where one chooses to stay active and find their fitness community in Auburn, these local businesses offer many opportunities to find one's foothold in the fitness world.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
