Flip Fitness class comes to TRAC

Did you know you could get a workout by playing cards? A new class called Flip Fitness, which is being offered by UIS Recreational Sports during the spring 2011 semester, will give you that chance.

The Flip Fitness was developed on the East Coast, but is now becoming popular around the country. An instructor randomly draws from a stack of 52 cards, which decides what type of exercise the class performs. The suit determines the type of exercise and the number on the card indicates how many times the exercise is performed.

“Every workout is going to be different because when you start the class you shuffle the deck of cards and so you never know what order you’re going to get,” said Trent Tangen, assistant director of Fitness and Wellness for REC Sports.

Flip Fitness will have you doing exercises such as push ups, jumping jacks, plank holds, squats and much more. It’s designed to be a full body exercise that works your upper body, core, and legs while improving cardiovascular and strength.

“Flip Fitness is a great exercise because it's 30 minutes and it's quick, so you’re not going to get burned out and get tired of coming because it’s not an hour long class,” said Tangen.

Tangen says Flip Fitness is also a good muscle confusion exercise because you are constantly changing positions.

“It’s muscle confusion because you’re doing squats, then you’re on the floor doing push ups, and then you're back up doing jumping jacks,” he said.

Flip Fitness is designed for users of all ages with three different skill levels for beginners and advanced.

For more information on Flip Fitness and a schedule of classes log onto the Group Exercise section of the REC Sports website. The first class is scheduled to begin on January 18.