2008 Woodie Awards
Spin Your Way With Laura Higgs
Athlete Spotlight
Michelle Saltmarsh
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You feel like you might throw up. Your legs are burning, your lungs are dry, your arms are like Jell-O, and you're not even 20 minutes into the workout. Don't let the feeling of fatigue scare you—in another 40 minutes you will feel like a new person, accomplished and happy you opted for kickboxing class on Saturday morning as opposed to sleeping off your hangover.
Laura Higgs is used to pushing her body to the extreme. She should be; she has been teaching aerobics classes for 15 years. Does she ever grow tired of coming to the Athletic Center six days each week to teach 13 classes? "Never," she said with wide eyes and a smile.
In fact, her ideal situation would be to open her own gym. "If doing this paid the bills, I would do it in a heartbeat."
For now, she is content being an attorney by day and fitness connoisseur by night.
As an alumnus of the University of Baltimore law program she is very committed to her position in the Athletic Center. She has taught classes at other corporate gyms, but said that they lack what UB possesses—a strong sense of community.
Do not be fooled by her bubbly personality and fun energy; when that music starts, she means business.
"If you come to the gym, I'm going to make you work," Higgs said.
She does, however, cater to the mantra "This is your workout," which she announces before each class. This is refreshing because most other gyms cater to the group, not the individual.
"I want people to feel comfortable," she said. Higgs doesn't want people to feel they have to be at a certain fitness level to take her classes; they are for everyone—man, woman, athlete, and those looking to stay in shape.
The most attractive feature of Higgs is her attitude. Besides the obvious effervescence, she is highly motivated without taking herself too seriously. "I don't stress things," she said. That's a fascinating outlook for someone who does more in a 24-hour day than most people can accomplish in 72 hours. One week in her life would be enough to make anyone ready for retirement, but she prefers it this way.
If you've never been to the Athletic Center and aren't sure how to start your fitness resolutions, a class with Laura Higgs is a great option. You might want to crawl in a hole and die while you're spinning your way to a tighter derriere, but the payoff will be worth it when you realize how invigorating you feel after just one hour.
Saltmarsh, Campus Recreation Services staff member, can be reached at alaskasalt@yahoo.com.
Spinning with Laura
Athletic Center spin room
hours–6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tue.–Thu.;
5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Wed.
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