The Reward of Listening to Your Body
By Catie Frank
Until this year, my workout routine consisted of traditional cardio (running and walking) and strength training. I took a couple spin classes, and I experimented with pilates in the past, but I had never made it an effort to incorporate either of the two into my weekly workout routine. They were fun, but I had always thought that for my body, results came from intense hours of cardio and strength training. Because of this, I was not open to changing my routine, and “sacrificing” what I thought was putting my body in the best shape possible.
After a long summer of putting my body through intense training sessions of cardio and weights, my body ached for a break. Instead of helping my body be at its healthiest and happiest state (which I thought I was doing), I was pushing myself too hard. When I came to Villanova in August, I decided to give myself one week in which I completely veered away from my normal routine, letting myself experiment with what I felt my body needed. Instead of killing myself in the gym for six to seven days a week, I listened to my body. That week consisted of some days where I did not exercise at all, some walks, and one spin class. It was one of the best weeks for my mental and physical health - I felt strong, healthy, and happy.
That week marked the start of my new fitness journey – a journey in which I listened to how my body felt and based my exercise off of that. I had no clue at the time, but taking this break helped me discover my love for other types of exercise and experiment with different workout classes.
Some days I love an intense workout of cardio or a fun Orangetheory class, but other days, a long walk feels better on my body. For me, allowing myself to experiment with my routine and test out low-impact exercise options helped me feel better mentally and physically.
If you feel that your body needs a break, this is your sign to give yourself it. Odds are your body needs it, and it will thank you in return. Perhaps you might even discover a love for other fun workouts that feel good on your body.
I have included some of the fun exercise studios I have tried out while at Villanova that are all within 15 minutes away. There are so many great studios in the area, but these are the ones I tried and loved. Many of them may even offer your first class for free.
Villanova Group Exercise classes: They offer all different types of classes, including spin, yoga, zumba, strength training, and pilates, and they are affordable on a student budget!
Yoga Six, Wayne PA: They offer all different types of yoga classes, including my personal favorite, Hot Yoga! The classes are uniquely structured, featuring cool LED lights to match the mood of the yoga class.
SolidCore, Bryn Mawr PA: This is a pilates class that uses the reformer. They offer different classes focused on strengthening different muscle groups.
Barre3, Bryn Mawr PA: These classes are the perfect start to your morning - they are low intensity, yet strengthen all the individual muscles in your body!
Orangetheory Fitness, Wayne PA: This class is definitely higher intensity, but is great if you want to sweat it out! You get the best of both worlds here - cardio and some strength training.
Soul Cycle, Ardmore PA: Soul Cycle offers fun cycling classes- my personal favorites are the themed nights. I always love Taylor Swift vs. Kanye West night!
Not all of these will be for you, but I find it helpful to experiment with what you and your body like best. And, they are fun ways to switch up your workout routine and discover exercises you didn’t even know you loved.
