By Eryn Carlson, News Correspondent

Revolutionz, the new cycle studio in the Marino Center, is putting a fresh spin on group fitness this semester.

The studio, which opened during Welcome Week, is located in the former Nutrition One store on the first floor of Marino.

“We’ve had to expand our group fitness because of such a high demand,” said Kristen Miller, the assistant director of campus recreation at Northeastern.

In the past, Marino’s pre-existing group fitness studios have been unable to fully cater to the high demands for space. Since students registered for group fitness must reserve their spot in each individual session held, classes are often filled before students have the chance to get in. The addition of Revolutionz has allowed campus recreation to schedule additional classes, giving more students a chance to reserve spots in the classes they want.

“We have 1,700 applications for [fall semester’s] group fitness registration – more than ever before,” said Miller, who is also Northeastern’s fitness director.

Besides catering to this record number of registered students, Miller thinks the new studio will attract even more people to join. The new space is a drastic difference from the two drab, poorly lit studios on Marino’s upper levels, making it an appealing upgrade for students who are thinking of joining classes.

“I love the new space. It has all brand new bikes that are up-to-date, a new sound system, colored lights that flash with the beats of music and big screen TVs,” Kaylee Marino, a senior pharmacy major who is a certified spin instructor at the studio, said. “It allows us to have so many more classes, and we’re keeping up to date with current trends.”

While Revolutionz is principally used for cycling classes, the space gets utilized for other fitness purposes as well, such as kettlebell and incorporated classes, where cycle is combined with sculpting concentrations like core or Pilates. Personal training sessions are also sometimes held there, and, when no classes are taking place, the studio is open for free use.

Besides being a great way to stay – or get – fit, group fitness classes allow students reap benefits they can’t get while working-out alone.

“I think group fitness is great because it’s really motivating because people are around you to push you. It’s a good way to make friends who have the same interests as you. Plus, group fitness classes are challenging, doing something new,” Marino said.

Revolutionz is open during Marino’s regular hours, and typically holds 45-50 group fitness classes a week. Spin classes are held everyday, with some as early as 6:30 a.m. and others as late as 8:30 p.m., and can be done in 45 or 60 minute sessions.

Registration for group fitness is open to all for a $50 fee per semester. For more information, class descriptions and schedules are located on campus recreation’s website. www.campusrec.neu.edu/groupfitness/