When first-year medical student Arran Rounds noticed a gap in community-building opportunities at the Warren Alpert Medical School, he drew on his military background to create something special: an informal fitness group that brings students together outside the classroom. Now officially teaching classes at Nelson Fitness Center, Rounds is expanding his impact across the Brown community.

What began as an informal gathering has evolved into something much more meaningful. "Since leaving the Army, I've missed spaces where I can come and work towards a shared goal with others through physical challenges," Rounds explains. "Workouts are such an amazing way to build a bond with people."

For Rounds, these sessions serve a purpose beyond physical fitness, they create connection in an environment often characterized by competition and stress. "By hosting these classes, it's an opportunity to bring medical students from all backgrounds together and create a shared identity in a space with no judgment."

The group's evolution happened naturally, starting with Rounds and a couple of classmates coming together to exercise. "Over the first month of school, this small group gradually grew to a 30+ person group chat," he notes. The strong response speaks to the need for such community-building initiatives within medical education.

The workout sessions incorporate high-intensity interval training (HIIT) principles, designed to maximize efficiency, particularly important for time-pressed medical students.

"The workouts are crafted to hit as much of the body as possible," Rounds says. “I try to employ the HIIT principles by incorporating various body movements in a relatively rapid succession of sets.  The movement we do the most is the burpee, which is sadly not a class favorite.”

Despite the notorious demands of medical school, Rounds finds that organizing these sessions enhances rather than detracts from his educational experience.

"It is a highlight of every week to see so many of my classmates on Tuesday morning," he shares. "Getting the chance to build these bonds outside of the medical school is such a joy. It's given me the opportunity to grow closer to my peers and has become one of my favorite parts of this educational journey."

With his new role as an official instructor at Nelson Fitness Center, Rounds is broadening his impact beyond just medical students. Drawing on previous experience teaching fitness classes at both the University of New Mexico and Bryn Mawr College, he's excited about the integration of the broader campus community.

"We'll have a dedicated space where all members of the Brown community can come and experience a high-quality workout in a positive environment," he explains. "While I hope medical students come, opening up to all is a good thing in my opinion!"

Rounds' initiative represents a grassroots approach to addressing well-being and community-building in medical education, creating space for connection and physical wellness in an environment where both are essential.

Catch Arran's class at Nelson Fitness Center on Tuesdays at 6:30am.