College students have a tendency to get out of shape, according to a 2005 study at the Washington University in St. Louis. Researchers found that 70 percent of 290 students gained an average of 9 lbs. between the beginning of freshmen year, and the end of sophomore year. Maintaining an active lifestyle, avoiding fried or fatty fast foods and taking advantage of campus resources also helps college students stay in shape.
Recreation Center
College students can stay in shape by taking advantage the campus recreation center. Many colleges and universities have campus recreations centers with resources that accommodate a variety of exercise and physical activities. It may have cardio machines, weightlifting machines and free weights. Your recreation center may have racquetball and basketball courts. Some even have lap pools and a climbing wall. Campus recreation centers that serve the general public may offer exercises classes, such as aerobics, yoga and pilates.
Intramural Sports
Joining intramural sports teams helps college students maintain an active lifestyle and stay in shape. Unlike varsity teams, which compete with teams from other schools and cities, intramural teams compete against other teams from the same campus. Intramural Sports give students the opportunity to participate sports competitively or recreationally. Intramural leagues participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor sports all year. Your college or university may have intramural leagues for sports, such as basketball, soccer, flag football, softball, volleyball, tennis, ultimate and dodgeball. Students form their own teams, and some may represent different student organizations, clubs and academic departments on campus.
Getting Around
Riding your bike, walking or skating to class and for getting around helps college students stay in shape and control costs. According to College Board, college students that lived on campus at four-year institutions spent an average of $1,073 on transportation during the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 academic terms. Driving a car is among the most expensive modes of transportation, reports Liyun Jin in a 2008 "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" article. College students can stay in shape by cutting down on costs and opting for alternative modes of transportation.
Minimizing Stress
Minimizing stress helps college students stay in shape. When you experience prolonged stress and start feeling hopeless, distressed or defeated, your adrenal gland releases cortisol hormone. Typical daily demands of living can start overactivating your body's stress response, which causes you to keep releasing more cortisol. Overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt most of your body's processes and increase your risk of digestive problems, obesity, sleep problems, depression and memory impairment. Stay in shape by practicing good time management, staying on top of your studies and maintaining a manageable schedule to keep stress levels down.
References
- Texas Christian University: TCU Campus Recreation
- University of California Berkely: Recreational Sports
- Post-Gazette.com; Getting to Class Can be Costly; Liyun Jin; October 2008
- CollegeBoard: Break Down the Bill
- MayoClinic.com; Stress: Constant Stress Puts Your Health at Risk; September 2010
- American College Health; Weight Changes During College; Susan B. Racette, Ph.D.,et.al.; May 2005
