Fitness class leaves students feeling ‘sleek’ and ‘powerful’

Julieta Rodrigo // Staff Writer

Fusing boxing and standing pilates exercises, Piloxing is shaking up the exercise industry, one punch and kick at a time. First created in 2009, the class is now taught by certified instructors in over eighty countries, and is adding new classes every year.

Piloxing landed at FIU and is being taught by instructor Ana Rodriguez. Offered at the BBC Wellness and Recreation Center on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m., the class uses a cutting-edge routine to promote muscle toning in a high-energy environment, set to upbeat dance music.

The workout can burn up to 1200 calories per hour, and works to increase cardiovascular abilities, build lean muscle and improve balance and posture, according to piloxing.com.

Piloxing allows students to improve their core’s ability to throw powerful punches, find equilibrium and enhance flexibility. By fusing some of the more controlled, dance-inspired exercises of pilates with some of the classic “one-twos” of boxing, everyone leaves the class feeling as if they can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

Rodriguez leads the class with an enthusiastic and lively demeanor that perfectly matches the up-tempo music. Students exercise to the sounds of remixed Britney Spears and Selena Gomez tracks which, combined with Rodriguez’s coaching, help raise heart rates as well as class stamina.

The class starts with a warm up through aerobic exercises, and signature boxing combinations are introduced shortly after. Footwork is intertwined with fast-paced rounds of uppercuts and side jabs. Exercises like jab cross shuffles and standing side crunches keep students engaged in working their core and obliques. In the last quarter of the class, the rhythm slows down to allow for targeting specific muscles through leg lifts and abs floorwork.

Natalia Orrego, a graduate student studying social work told FIUSM that she loves attending Piloxing class.

“[Ana] is motivating. She reminds me of a dancer from the Lion King, and that’s what I like about her class,” she said. “She’s athletic but she also has a dance background, which appeals to me.”

Rodriguez ended the class asking students to repeat an uplifting motto: “I am sleek, I am sexy, I am powerful.”

That slogan allowed students to leave the gym with a smile, feeling empowered and confident in their own abilities and skills. Overall, the class is a resounding success in getting students active and sweating, and provides one hour of non-stop fun for all participants.

For more information on Piloxing and other classes offered at FIU BBC, as well as the class hours, visit bbcrec.fiu.edu or call (305) 919-5678.