With all that studying, making new friends and partying, beginner college students often have little time to keep fit. For example, according to the University of Central Oklahoma, an average student at UCO has only a 14 percent chance of getting 30 minutes of exercise five days per week, and a 55 percent chance of becoming overweight. However, home workouts or dorm-room exercises make it easier to slot some training into a busy day.
Weights
Resistance training by lifting weights helps tighten and build your muscles, as well as improve your overall strength. Beginner college students with limited space in their dorm can easily stash a dumbbell under the bed. Use the dumbbell to perform upper body and arm workouts, such as the bicep curl. This involves standing or sitting while lifting the weight straight up toward your shoulder. To get your shoulders working, hold two weights and lift them up above your head when standing. If you can't get hold of dumbbells, bottles of water make a handy alternative.
Cardio
Exercises that work your heart, lungs and circulation are known as cardio training. Dorm room cardio workout ideas include the high knee run. Keep your head pointed up and your back straight, then lift each knee in turn as far up to your chest as possible. Two minutes of this as part of a longer workout is enough. Some home cardio also works on your strength. Leg squat thrusts start in the push-up position with palms on the floor. Pull one leg up so that your foot it near your abdomen and knee near your shoulder. Smoothly bring your other leg up and bring your first leg down. Three minutes of this will get your heart and legs working.
Flexibility
Beginner college students face long periods sat at a desk or in a lecture theater. Working on posture and flexibility helps to keep your spine, shoulders and ligaments loose and supple. Simple stretching includes sitting on the floor with your legs spread wide. Carefully reach forward, touching the floor until the stretching sensation runs up your lower back and down your legs to your hamstrings. This works some of the core ligaments and lower back muscles that keep you loose and flexible.
Extra Tips
Building workout and exercise into your routine when in your college room doesn't have to mean getting out the weights and sports gear. For example, household chores such as cleaning your windows or vacuuming your carpet burn calories and work some muscles. Always take the stairs instead of the elevator if you're in a large dorm. Short bursts of activity, such as performing abdominal crunches or doing some leg lunges while you're watching your favorite TV shows, also quickly add up to a lot of daily exercise.
