How to Stay Active in College

This summer I have been working with the American Heart Association as the communications intern. This experience has taught me a lot about communications, media and public relations. It also has taught me a lot about taking control of my own health to prevent disease later in life. It is so important for people to start practicing healthy habit when they are young and continue them throughout their life.

One of the most important parts to remaining health is staying active. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 2 ½ hours of exercise a week. Not only does physical activity help you get fit, it also helps prevent heart disease and stroke, and helps people think, feel and sleep better.

As summer is ending and some of us are heading back to college, or just starting college, we need to start thinking about how our fitness routine is going to change. It may seem unachievable to fit in exercise at school but, it is definitely possible. Here are some tips on how to stay fit in college.

1. Go to the gym

The best thing about your college’s gym, is that it’s free. Create a workout schedule to put aside time to exercise. Here are some exercises to help you make a plan for when you go to the gym!

Cardio exercises:

Jumping jacks, jumping ropes, walking, jogging or running on the treadmill, stair-climbing or step-ups, high knees, mountain climbers, star jumps, burpees

Strengthening and stability exercises:

Plank and side plank, pushups, sit-ups or crunches, hip lift or bridge position, tricep dips on a chair, lunges, squats or chair position, wall sits

2. Bring/wear your workout clothes to class

Once you get back to your dorm room after class, it is going to be hard to convince yourself to leave. So, if you bring your gym clothes with you to class it will motivate you to go straight to the gym.

3. Take the stairs instead of the elevator

If you live on one of the higher floors of your building, consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator to squeeze in some extra activity. Although it doesn’t seem like that much, any form of activity is important because it all adds up!

4. Sign up for fitness classes

Most schools offer free fitness classes, some can count for credit and others are just recreational. This is also very helpful if you don’t know exactly what to do when you go to the gym or you want a fun interactive workout experience. Use all the free resources that your school offers to make the most of your experience.

5. Join a club or intermural team

Whether you played sports in high school and you want to continue in college or you want to learn something new joining a club or intermural team is a great way to have fun while being active. Club teams are typically more competitive and selective whereas intermural teams are more about having fun, staying active and making friends.

6. Take walks around campus

If you have extra time between classes explore your campus! Walk around and find places you don’t normally pass on your way to class!