Godnick in BodyPump class. (Kurt Leinerman/Rattlesnake)

I walked into the Eppley Recreation Center at around 7 in the morning. I was clueless and drowsy. After an hour or so, I walked out and felt refreshed, strong and high in endorphins. 

I tried a face-to-face barbell class called BodyPump, which is part of the RecWell group fitness program, and I like it very much. This course is the perfect balance of high-intensity strength and aerobic exercise, and it can also be customized for different strength levels. 

Instructor Grace Gaynor did a great job in teaching. She checked everyone and made sure that everyone was wearing a mask over their nose, and made sure that everyone was aware that there was a disinfectant spray bottle and wipes so that we could clean our equipment later. Steps like this make me more comfortable in face-to-face exercise sessions. 

My roommate and I arrived early because we had never attended class at Eppley before. Gaynor is enthusiastic and helpful, and she showed us how to register through the IMLeagues app, as these courses can now only be completed by booking. 

[Night in the Old Town: Nightlife Fashion in University Park]

Immediately afterwards, she told us the equipment we needed: a barbell, some weight boards and dumbbells of our choice. 

Gaynor’s energy is contagious. The inspiration of her pace made me completely forget that it was about 7:30 in the morning. I admire her way of explaining the exercises we are doing and at the same time inspiring us to do the exercises on our own. 

This whole body exercise focuses on strength, but also includes a lot of aerobic exercise. Most of the time we use barbells, but there are also some we use dumbbells or barbells alone. 

Compared to other barbell classes I have taken before, it is faster, so I decided to use lighter weights than usual. However, I like fast pace. I feel that I am still working on my muscle strength, but I also get satisfaction from aerobic exercise. 

Certain parts of the exercise are challenging for me. In the biceps and shoulder trajectory of the exercise, I felt that I did not feel the burning sensation for a while. As the school year becomes more and more busy, I have been trying to find time to exercise as intensely and frequently as before. This class has effectively exercised every part of the body and returned me to my best condition. 

For me, this is a great challenge, but as Gaynor said, it’s important to listen to your body, if you need to adjust the weight — or not use any weight at all — it’s okay, the important thing is that you are getting Good exercise. 

The music sounded and the students moved with the barbells, making the class interesting and lively. DJ Snake, Ozuna, Selena Gomez, and Cardi B's "Taki Taki" mix definitely helped me stick to the end, when we used the modified plank as an ab terminator. [Saleka Shyamalan prepares for her first DC show on Sunday]

Gaynor also explained exactly how to move and how to avoid injury because we are dealing with weight. I find this very helpful because I always forget my form, and I bet these guides will be helpful for those who are not familiar with weights but want to try it. 

At the end of the course, just after my roommate and I were "dead" by the ab terminator, I felt that all my anxieties and worries had disappeared. I clearly remember Gaynor congratulating us on getting up so early and keeping exercising. 

"You took the time to do something for yourself today," she said. And it feels amazing. Among all the to-dos and expectations of my peers, professors, and relatives, I still found an hour to focus on myself. 

If you are not an early bird, there are other times in RecWell's schedule for such courses. I suggest that everyone spend an hour to give back to themselves and try this course.  

Restaurant 3150, South Campus, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

News Room: 301-314-8200 (Sunday to Thursday from 4:30 pm to midnight)

Advertising: 301-276-5770 (normal working hours, Monday to Friday)