Feel the Rhythm

Some feeling between being a child lost in a music store and being at a tribal ritual you will find power rhythms.
Power rhythms is one of the new exciting exercise classes offered at the Auburn University Student Activities
Center. Large plastic exercise balls are placed in Rubbermaid tubs to create a drum. Students are given PVC pipes tobeat them, providing the perfect resistance for an exercise routine.

On first sight of a power rhythms class, most people are confused to see college students beating to the rhythm of
techno dance songs, but on a closer look it is clear that this rigorous exercise. Hannah Foxworth, a senior at
Auburn, attended her first class this week and was pleasantly surprised by the rigor of the class. “I didn’t think
it would be that great of a work out, but I am pouring sweat. It was a great workout and I had a lot of fun,”
Foxworth said.

The repetitive drumming motion helps to strengthen the arm and core muscles. While banging on the exercise balls,
jumping and jogging are incorporated to increase heart rate. Also challenging drumming movements, such as the drumroll, require full-body engagement to move the PVC pipes as fast as you can.

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A main attraction to power rhythms is that it incorporates sound therapy into exercise. Sound therapy has been found
to help with health conditions such as stress, anxiety, high blood pressure and depression. The drumming is also
helpful to let out aggression and frustration in a positive way. “It was so fun just to hit the ball as hard as I
could. I defiantly feel a lot more relaxed now that I got some aggression out,” said Foxworth. These benefits are
particularly important for students who may need a way to cope with stresses of school.

Pam is the instructor for the class said she likes power rhythms because the element of sound works both mind and
body. Beating to the rhythm of the music is way to enhance coordination while burning calories, claims Pam. “Power
rhythms brings sound therapy and mixes it with fitness, aerobics and strength all in one class,” said Pam.

Power rhythms is gaining popularity around the United States and on Auburn’s campus. Currently the only power
rhythms class offered at Auburn is 2:45 p.m. on Mondays, but with more interest more classes can be added as needed.

To learn more about this and other exercise classes offered in the Student Activities center, visit the Student Act
Web site.