Barnard FITBear classes: A guide and review

FITBear classes can be an accessible and fun way to get a workout in. But which one should you choose? 

Photo by Merielen Espino/The Barnard Bulletin

By Mia Cariati

April 22, 2025

Before this month, I had never attended a FITBear class. Group fitness classes can be a bit overwhelming for me. But now, a few weeks later, I can confidently say I am something of a FITBear expert. 

As someone who prefers to go at their own pace during their workout, I was really worried about whether I would be able to keep up with the classes’ fast pace. Luckily, that ended up being a non-issue. All of the instructors whose classes I attended encouraged students to go at their own speed. If you’re nervous about being able to keep up with the classes, I encourage you to try them out anyway. I ended up having a lot of fun and got a lot out of the classes I registered for.

How To Register

To register for classes, you should download the IMLeague app.  If you have used the new Barnard gym, you will be somewhat familiar with this app, as it has the QR code you use to sign in at the front desk. To sign up for a class, you just click on the FITBear Class Registration button under the Network tab. Here, you will see all of the classes offered on different days, which you can then click on to gain the option to register. After you have signed a quick safety form, you will be ready to attend class. 

If you are like me and get a little nervous navigating new areas on campus, you should rest assured that these classes are easy to find. Simply enter the lower level of Barnard Hall as if you were going to Hewitt, and keep walking straight. Once you reach an open area, take the first left. You should see different studio labels on the walls, and then you simply continue walking until you hit Studio 2, where all FITBear classes are held. A student worker in a blue shirt should be in front of the studio as well with an iPad to sign you in, just in case you are unsure if you went to the right place.

Cardio Sculpt

This was the first class I went to, and it also happens to be my favorite. Rachel G is a super upbeat instructor, and I genuinely enjoyed myself for the entirety of the fitness class. She made sure no one was taking themselves too seriously during the class while still ensuring we all felt the burn and worked up a nice sweat.

If you loved Just Dance as a kid, this is just the class for you. It combines both cardio and traditional strength training to create a well-rounded full-body workout. This class is also great for someone who wants to prioritize their fitness but may not have time to do an hour of strength training at the gym and then finish with lengthy cardio. I could see myself substituting this class for an arm day in a busy week. The glute work done in this class was also pretty challenging, and my legs definitely felt a little sore the next day, even though we ended with a nice stretching routine. Overall, it was a great workout.

Total Sculpt

Similar to Cardio Sculpt, Total Sculpt is an excellent option for a full body workout with a little less emphasis on cardio. I also thoroughly enjoyed this workout, and I thought Jizal was a really engaging instructor. She encouraged everyone to try their best while still supporting each student going at their own pace. Her form tips were also very useful and practical — I learned a lot about proper RDL stance, which I have struggled with in my own gym journey. 

Even though this is not explicitly a cardio class, my heart rate definitely went up during the workout. My only complaint is that I did find some of the moves slightly repetitive, especially with the reps being so high, but this would be a great choice for those who are intimidated by the fast-paced nature of many choreographed sculpt classes.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is a beginner yoga class focusing on strength, breathing, and mindfulness. I must admit that I am not the biggest fan of yoga. However, the instructor, Rachel M, was very kind, and I found the flow of the class to be relaxing and natural. 

I did find myself often getting a little confused about the instructions for new moves and struggling with my balance. There were a few times where I was unable to correctly complete poses. However, the class was still quite calming, and I certainly felt relaxed and stretched afterwards. If you like yoga, you should try out this class. 

Final Thoughts

Life can get really busy for college students. Though I love spending hours in the gym doing strength training, cardio, and stretches, sometimes that is just not feasible for my schedule. These fitness classes are perfect for when you truly cannot spare more than an hour warming-up, working out, and cooling down. Especially with finals season approaching, I will definitely continue to attend these FITBear classes for a good but quick workout.