Sarah Reichman teaches Stretch and Tone: Isokinetics on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. In this Q&A, Sarah explains her approach.

Describe your class for us.

Stretch and Tone: Isokinetics is designed to include three target areas of fitness: strength, flexibility, and stress reduction. Isokinetic motion is constant, controlled motion within a small range. Isokinetic skeletal muscle conditioning promotes muscle strength, endurance and muscle flexibility. When skeletal muscles are strengthened, they accept loads on the body that would otherwise be borne by joints, tendons, or ligaments, and the body becomes less likely to become injured in other activities and in the course of life.

The class is 50–55 minutes. It begins with a short warm-up and concludes with a longer cool-down comprised of a series of slow, elongated stretches. In between, each major muscle group is strengthened and stretched in 8–10 minute intervals.

The Isokinetic conditioning program emphasizes two components of the exercises: correct positioning of the body during each exercise, and correct and regular breathing throughout each exercise and stretch.

What can a student expect to feel as he or she leaves your class?

Challenged, energized, and relaxed.

You use fun music in your class. How do you choose it?

I work every Monday from noon to 2:00 p.m. at WXDU, Duke’s award-winning college radio station. I have access to an amazing variety of music that allows me to assemble eclectic exercise CDs that mix everything from Amandou & Marium—music from Mali—to Belle and Sebastian. I chose music that is fun, funky, energetic, and then relaxing.

Tell us about your day job.

I work for a catering company as wine director, beverage manager, and operations manager. There’s lots of juggling during my day! In the past, I have been a cabinet maker, a waitress, a cook, and a welder, so I need an exercise regimen that takes into account all the stress these activities have put on my body.

You're busy advocating for animal rights. What drew you to this area, and where is your service focused?

I like to say I work with animal “welfare” organizations. I can’t really say why I am so passionate about advocating for animals, I just am. And I am very proud to be involved with fundraising for Independent Animal Rescue and the Coalition to Unchain Dogs. I am the chair of the Annual Have a Heart Wine Tasting Silent Auction for IAR and help organize the Annual Music for Fences Concert for the Coalition.

CLASS: Isokinetics, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30–5:30. As an hour-long class, this class is always only $10.

Peek inside Sarah's class: