The HPER swimming pool now has an array of new classes open to all students, staff and faculty free of charge.

The classes added this semester are Cardio Tone Up, Water Activities, Game Night and Aqua Dance. All begin at 6 p.m. from Monday through Thursday respectively.

James Thayer, junior political science and health promotion major, said that some activities were designed for relaxing in addition to exercise.

“Swimming is very good exercise that gives you cardio without impact on the joints,” Thayer said, “but Cardio Tone Up is like an exercise class, and the Water Activities and Game Night focus on games…they are more kind of interactive and more relaxed.”

Last spring, the staff at the recreation center conducted a survey about pool activities and asked some general questions about what interests students may have in the pool.

The responses indicated students wanted to get in the pool, however the pool time did not necessarily go along with the hours that students would prefer to go. With that information, the staff decided to add later classes to the program.

Unlike the Cardio Tone Up class that requires more physical activity, Game Night on Wednesdays can help students let loose and have fun. Daniel Moore, junior elementary education major and instructor of the class, will have different games prepared for students to come and relax. He said that anything in the pool is good exercise for the body, and people can do different things in the pool, which will help them to exercise in a multitude of ways.

The open pool time has been extended in the morning and on weekends, which allows students to come at more convenient times.

Songshan Bai, graduate psychology major, said that since the pool was not open over the weekend before, he seldom had time to go. But this semester he said that it was really convenient to go to the pool and unwind on weekends.

Sung Rim Lee, graduate English student, also enjoys the extended swimming time and hopes that the extended time continues into the future.

“I’ve been morning swimming this semester,” Lee said, “but I haven’t heard about these new classes. If I knew before, definitely I would have tried them. I guess if they put some note about the new water classes in the swimming area about the time and content, more students would know and enjoy it.”