The Rec Center at Georgia State University hosts its bi-annual “Try Me Week”, starting January 13th and ending on the 17th. The experience is designed to give students an opportunity to take advantage of the multiple fitness and activity clinics offered by the University’s Recreation and Fitness Center at no charge.
Thanks in part to a class scheduling error that left my entire afternoon empty, I got to take in a little of the “free” and without a second thought ended up signing on for a fencing class. Partly because of the child-like awe I felt in realizing that GSU had a professional fencing instructor on their payroll, and mostly because of the momentary flip of glee my mind does whenever it processes thoughts that begin and end in “swordfighting?!”.
I was treated to a full class taught by the charismatic GSU Alumni and retiree, Joseph A. Krasevec (who most awesomely, is also the ballroom dance instructor) and some stellar fencing demonstrations by his national recognized students. The best part of all? For a scant $20 ($40 for non-students), all that’s required for the class is your body, your passion, and perhaps an appreciation for endless Errol Flynn/Zorro/Princess Bride references.
Obviously, I can’t sing the praises of the fencing class enough (even if I didn’t get a chance to try that totally cool, leaping 180° stab move, that in hindsight he might have been kidding about). But on the off chance fencing isn’t your first choice, the crazy variety of classes offered (ranging from pilates to mixed martial arts) can’t be downplayed and ensures you’ll find something that suits your interests. At the “for one week only” price of free, you can’t go wrong in experimenting with all those options.
“Try Me Week” offers a wonderful opportunity to students and non students alike to broaden their horizons, meet interesting people, and get a chance to get out of their comfort zones.
