Group Fitness Class Glossary

Get the fitness results you want.

The Y offers fitness classes for all ages, all levels and all interests. With various fitness classes every week that include high-intensity interval training, barbell classes, Yoga, Pilates, dance fitness, cycling, water exercise and more, you’ll find a group workout that’s fun and challenging!

Below are all descriptions of all group fitness classes offered within the YMCA of Columbia Association. Class offerings vary by location. Check your local branch’s schedule to see what classes are offered near you.

Aqua Zumba -Aninvigorating, low impact aquatic exercise class. Known as Zumba ‘pool party’, it gives new meaning to the idea of a refreshing workout.”

Barre – The workout combines yoga, Pilates, and ballet into a low impact workout that increases flexibility and balance, burns calories, and lengthens muscles. Class incorporates light weights for an upper body workout.

Beats! -Designed for all fitness levels and incorporates the use of lightly weighted drumsticks and stability balls.  You become one with the music and get a full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and Pilates inspired movements.

BODYCOMBAT™ – The empowering cardio workout where you are totally unleashed. This fiercely energetic program is inspired by martial arts and draws from a wide array of disciplines such as Karate, Boxing, Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Muay That. Supported by driving music and powerful instructors, strike, punch, kick and kata your way to superior cardio fitness.

BODYFLOW™ -Yoga-based class that will improve your mind, your body, and your life. During class, a inspired soundtrack plays as you bend and stretch through a series of simple yoga moves and embrace elements of Tai Chai and Pilates.

BODYPUMP™ – This 60-minute workout challenges all of your major muscle groups by using the best weight room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. Great music and your choice of weight inspire you to get the results you came for – fast!

BODYSTEP™ -This energizing step workout that makes you feel liberated and alive! Using a height adjustable step and simple movements on, over and around the step while you get a huge motivation from sing-a-long music and approachable instructors! Cardio blocks push fat burning systems into high gear followed by muscle conditioning tracks that shape and tone your body.

Cardio Beats – Designed for all fitness levels and incorporates the use of lightly weighted drumsticks and light weights. You become one with the music and get a full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training with a variety of movements.

Cardio Jam – A one hour workout filled with world dance, line dance, low/medium intensity plyometrics, strength training and flexibility. All routines are beginner friendly.

Cardio Sculpt – Total body workout, cardio mixed with weight-training exercises. This workout combines cardio intervals, weight lifting and core training to challenge your muscular strength and endurance.

Cardio/Strength – A blend of workouts that include cardio drills and full body strength training. The class will utilize a variety of equipment and will finish with core work and stretching. Can easily be modified for all fitness levels.

Core Burn – Strengthen your core, glutes and more. This class is for all levels looking to challenge their core with more than just crunches

CXWORX – A 30-minute core focused class that hones in on the torso and midsection muscles that connect the upper body to the lower body. It will help you run faster, play harder and stand stronger.

Cycle -Each instructor takes you on a calorie-burning ride with a variety of drills and training techniques. Remember to bring your towel and water bottle! All fitness levels are welcome.

Dance Fit – Get your groove on in this high intensity cardio class. Experience a mixture of dance styles while improving your fitness. No dance experience required.

Dancing in Motion – This class is designed for members who are seeking a movement style class that incorporates dance and ballet techniques. This fun class will give all participants an opportunity to enjoy dance and the art of ballet. A chair will be used to assist members.                          

Deep Water Aerobics -A challenging aerobic and strengthening workout using selected floatation devices and adaptations. Expect powerful moves and full range of motion to improve your strength, cardiovascular fitness and flexibility.

Devotion in Motion – Improve your flexibility and athletic performance, moving through different stretches. This class helps to target any tightness and tension. Optional devotion offered.

Functional Fitness – These classes are outside on our Functional Training courts. They focus on functional movements performed at high intensity. Workouts can reflect the best aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing and more. All levels welcome.

GRIT™ – A 30-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout.  GRIT formats include Strength, which incorporates a barbell, weight plate and body weight exercises to blast all major muscle groups; Cardio, which is designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, increase speed and maximize calorie burn; Plyo, which is designed to make you perform like an athlete.

H.I.I.T./Yoga – A Plyoga class that mixes plyometric exercises like burpees and rocket jumps, with yoga poses thrown in for recovery. The plyometrics send your heart rate through the roof and the yoga poses challenge you to focus, balance, and breathe.

Kettlebell – Circuits using kettlebells for a variety of exercises that strengthen and tone the body while developing endurance, dynamic flexibility, precision and timing. All fitness levels are welcome.

Kickboxing – A high-intensity class that incorporates punches, jabs, and kicks to get your heart rate up and your body burning calories.

Parkinson’s Network – This class is specific to the population dealing with the effects of Parkinson’s. However, people with balance issues, diabetes, MS, rheumatoid arthritis and other similar ailments may also benefit from this exercise program. It is a safe exercise environment with goals of increasing range of motion, improving strength and balance. Some equipment may be used. The core of the class is based on Gary Sobel’s Parkinson’s Network (GZSPN Parkinson’s Network.)

Pilates – A body conditioning method that strengthens and tones the whole body with an emphasis on the abdominals and back muscles (core). Pilate’s exercises can improve posture and flexibility.

PiYO – A hybrid, athletic workout, which combines the mind/body practices of yoga and Pilates, as well as the principles of stretch, strength training, conditioning and dynamic movement. You will find yourself standing in a yoga pose one minute, and down on the  floor in a Pilates pose the next!

PWR! Moves – A 12-week program for those with Parkinson’s Disease that incorporates a variety of exercises and introductions to group exercise classes. Participants must be 18 years old, provide a medical clearance form and be independently mobile or have someone present to assist them.

RPM – Ride to the rhythm of powerful music. Take on the terrain with your inspiring team coach who leads the pack through hills, flats, mountain peaks, time trials, interval training. Discover your inner athlete-sweat and burn to reach your endorphin high.

Senior Stretch – This class teaches gentle, effective stretching and restorative breathing techniques while improving balance and muscular endurance.

Shallow Water Aerobics – Includes calisthenics style movements with variation of upper and lower body moves. Participants march, jog, dance, and ski through the water to create resistance and improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and flexibility.

SilverSneakers® Classic – Exercise and wellness program for seniors. Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activity for daily living skills. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a ball are offered for resistance, and a chair is used for seated/and or standing support.

SilverSneakers® Circuit – Similar to Classic classes, but with added challenges to improve cardiovascular health and endurance. Safe and effective for members with cardiac and respiratory ailments.

SilverSneakers® Yoga – Move through seated and standing yoga poses designed to increase flexibility, balance, and range of movement. Finish with restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation to promote reduced stress and mental clarity.

STRONG by Zumba^® – Combines body weight, muscle conditioning, cardio and plyometric training moves synced to original music that has been specifically designed to match every single move. Every squat, every lunge, every burpee is driven by the music, helping you make it to that last rep, and maybe even five more.

Synrgy360 – Life Fitness pioneered the Synrgy360 concept to create transformational and inspiring fitness experiences for a diverse audience of exercisers. This innovative, state-of-the-art functional training unit can be used by all skill levels.

Synrgy360PLUS – This class will combine the functionality of Synry360 and Total Strength Plus in one. You will focus on incorporating strength and endurance training working to transform your entire body using medicine balls, TRX, battle ropes and more.

Tai Chi – An ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. Tai chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints.

Total Strength – This class uses varied equipment, such as dumbbells, barbells, stability balls and resistance tubing while working on high-energy music to increase total body strength. This class does not incorporate cardiovascular work. For all fitness levels.

Total Strength Plus – This class uses varied equipment, such as dumbbells, barbells, stability balls and resistance tubing while working on high-energy music. This class does incorporate cardiovascular burst of work to increase your heart rate. Exercises can be modified for all fitness levels.

Yoga – Suitable for all levels, these classes focus on increasing balance and flexibility through bodily postures and breathing exercises. Yoga also addresses and relieves many common causes for back pain.

Zumba – The Latin dance craze that is sweeping the nation. This class combines energy and motivating music with unique moves and easy to follow combinations that allow the Zumba participants to dance way their calories and their worries.

Zumba Gold – This easy to follow program lets you move to the beat at your own pace with modified, low impact moves geared toward active older adults and beginners of all ages.