Some students prefer working out and exercising at the Bell Center or on campus at different locations, while others prefer joining workout classes and clubs off campus instead. Around Trinity’s campus, there are many local and commercial workout centers and gyms that allow individuals to sign up and attend weekly, biweekly, monthly or other preferred times.
Other fitness centers offer professional guidance, diverse equipment, social interaction and a more structured class and program. This can attract many students as it also allows them to get off campus and join classes that include high-intensity interval training (HIIT), spin, yoga, barre, pilates or another form of exercise.
Bell Center
Sonia Bhargava, senior psychology major, enjoys working out at the Bell Center. Bhargava usually works out at the Bell Center six days a week.
“I usually go at night after I’m done studying or with homework and spend time focusing on a different part of my body each day. Working out calms my anxiety a lot too. I’ve always just worked out on my own and learned over time from playing volleyball in high school to looking up YouTube videos that help me,” Bhargava said.
Saqhib Syed, junior business analytics and technology major, prefers going to the Bell Center in comparison to other workout spots around town because of its accessibility and convenience.
“The Bell Center is a great place to go. They have a lot of useful and great workout equipment as well. I like to go there and release stress and unwind from my busy schedule,” Syed said.
Black Swan Yoga
Black Swan Yoga provides different levels and a variety of classes from calming yin yoga to fast-paced ashtanga and vinyasa yoga. Black Swan is also a donation-based studio that allows individuals to pay whatever amount they want and creates an important and ‘worth your money’ experience. In addition, Black Swan incorporates restorative forms of yin yoga, meditation and breathwork.
“I loved going to Black Swan. I went with some friends and we did a hot yoga class outside one day. It was so much fun and such a unique type of workout, I would definitely recommend doing it again. It was so cleansing and calming,” Bhargava said.
Smart Barre and Pilates
Smart Barre is a chain group workout studio in Alamo Heights offering daily barre and pilates classes. Barre is a form of exercise that incorporates a combination of ballet, yoga and pilates. Barre simultaneously tones, strengthens and stretches muscles while promoting flexibility. .
Kassandra (Kass) Rodriguez, junior accounting major, tried Smart Barre and enjoyed the flow of the exercise. Rodriguez has never been to a barre class and really enjoyed that form of exercise.
“At first I didn’t know what to expect because I have never been into barre, pilates or yoga that much. The whole experience was really positive and I got the best sleep that night too. It was so relaxing but also I felt like it was targeting the right parts of my body. Overall I would rate it a 10/10,” Rodriguez said.
