Do you live off campus? Are you unsure of attending fitness classes due to personal reasons? If this is the case, I have a solution for you. The University of Toronto is offering a strictly online-based Virtual Fitness Studio program that allows you to enjoy the luxury of attending a fitness class, without actually having to physically be in a fitness class.
Luckily for students, this service is offered free of charge as it is included in incidental fees. As for U of T affiliates, the Virtual Fitness Studio is also offered to you, however there is a $140 fee for the semester, or you are also able to pay this in monthly installments. Registration is extremely easy, all you have to do is head over to the Sport & Rec website. Look for the University of Toronto Virtual Fitness Studio tab, hit sign-in and register, enter in your credentials and boom! A registration link will then be sent to your e-mail. Yes, it is indeed that easy.
You’re probably curious as to how this works. Every week there is a new virtual schedule that is released. You are able to check out this link on the same page where you sign up for the program. This schedule offers a variety of different fitness classes that you are able to attend virtually throughout the week, no matter your whereabouts. Some of the many classes that are offered are Mindful Stretch, Cardio Dance Party, Bootcamp and Relax & Renew, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. These classes are offered all week long, beginning at 8 a.m. with the last class being offered at 7 p.m. Every Sunday you will receive an e-mail from Sports & Rec that will contain a unique link giving you access to meeting details as well as your live workouts that are scheduled for that given week.
This week I chose to attend a virtual yoga class. The class went on for an hour and I felt very relieved both physically and mentally after the session was over. I loved the fact that I was able to get a refreshing workout in from the comfort of my home. Since there was no equipment necessary for this class, all I had to do was create some space for myself and my laptop and I was good to go. I enjoyed the fact that I was able to listen and see exactly what to instructor was doing, it was so easy to follow along. Although the classes take place on zoom, there is absolutely no pressure to have your camera on. That way you do not have to be concerned about others watching your movements if you are not comfortable with that. One thing to note is not to be late. Instructors lock the class 10 minutes post start time in order to ensure people don’t miss the warm up. There is nothing worse than working out on a cold body. Another tip to consider about the Virtual Fitness Studio is that there is an on-demand archive of all classes. If there is a class you really want to attend but you just can’t make that time-slot, check back into the on-demand section later on to participate in the class. Everything is laid out for you at the click of a button.
Whether you are a commuter, live-on campus or live in a different country, this is a program that is perfect for you! Take advantage of this free semester-long program. Keep in mind there is a fee to attend in-person classes. To not take advantage of this opportunity would just be silly!