Free, student-taught, and open to all: Inside Barnes Center’s group fitness classes

Pilates Sculpt registration at the Barnes Center at The Arch opens at 4 p.m. the day before class. When Syracuse senior Franny Porreca attempted to sign up at 4:05, every spot was gone.

Across class schedules, the picture can look very different. Josie Smith, a senior who teaches Power Yoga at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, had 16 people in her class one week and three the next.

Both classes are free to Syracuse University and SUNY ESF students, part of a group fitness program that has grown quickly. According to Reighan Alston, assistant director of fitness programs, Pilates classes have increased from two a week in 2021 to 10 a week now.

“That’s what the students have been interested in,” Alston said. “Almost every single class has been full for the last two years or so.”

Starting in 2019 with approximately 50 drop-in classes per week, the group fitness program now encompasses over 60 classes of varying sizes and modalities.

Alston said that despite the growth, filling classes was never the goal. In fact, the purpose of the program has little to do with aesthetics or even fitness.

“Group fitness classes are an opportunity for our participants to come in and find a safe space where they can work on their wellness goal,” Alston said. “It’s really for students to find a space where they can step away from their academic and personal responsibilities and come in and be around like-minded individuals.”

Providing options like aquatic exercise, TRX, cycling and Zumba, the group fitness program encourages students to find a unique fitness style they enjoy.

For Porreca, who has taken upwards of 40 classes at Barnes, that style is cycling. However, while Porreca said she’s had a positive experience, signing up can be challenging.

“Sometimes they’re hard to get into because there [are] limited spots and you have to register 24 hours before,” Porreca said. “That’s the only negative thing, I would say.”

Capacity limits are built into how Barnes plans its classes. Alston compares building each semester’s schedule to a jigsaw puzzle, with studio space as one of the largest pieces.

When building the semester schedules, the fitness team first considers capacity. Studio space varies depending on the class and location.

“We have to make sure that everyone has space to exercise, but also make sure the instructor has space to move around and make sure everyone gets some level of individual attention,” Alston said.

Other pieces to consider include class popularity, staples such as strength and cycle classes and current fitness trends. 

Barnes also includes themed special-event classes where participants can try new workout styles. Next month, the group fitness program will feature a Zumba-style dance class to highlight Latin Heritage Month.

“There’s always something for someone to try,” Alston said. “If you haven’t done it, this is your opportunity to try it.”

Another piece to consider when scheduling: who will lead the classes? At Barnes, the instructor is often a student.

Smith earned her yoga teacher’s certification in 2018 and has been leading classes at Barnes for the past three years. 

“Each modality has their own certification,” Smith said. “For yoga specifically, a 200-hour training is the baseline.”

Like Smith, all group fitness instructors must have a certification from an accredited body and pass a teaching demonstration. According to Alston, the Barnes program is a good way to break into group fitness instruction. 

“It’s hard to find a studio that’s willing to take an opportunity on a person that’s never taught a fitness class,” Alston said. “So we’ll gauge their experience, their teaching skills and then if they need a little more rounding out, we’ll pair them up with one of our veteran instructors.”

Even with a roster of certified instructors, attendance varies at classes throughout the year.

Alston said participation typically peaks at the start of each semester and dips around midterms, breaks and finals. Despite the fluctuations, group fitness schedules remain steady for those students who may need a break from studying.

For Smith, creating a positive environment for participants is more important than the number of attendees. 

“I’m comfortable teaching to one person or 40 people,” Smith said. “Working out on your own, it’s hard to stay motivated, but when you have a room of people doing the same thing, you have a community.”