By Sarah Beth
Sarah Beth is a fourth-year kinesiology student graduating in June 2013. She currently works as a physiotherapy aide in the Sports Medicine Centre Physiotherapy Clinic and has experience as both a strength coach and softball pitching instructor.
She is hoping to pursue a career as both a personal and team trainer after graduation.
Perhaps last semester didn’t go as planned. You had to adjust to a new schedule with a plethora of assignments, midterms and finals. You were stressed out, caught the flu and spent too many nights at the Den.
Suddenly it is winter break and you haven’t set foot in the gym and you may be feeling even more sluggish after the holidays. The start of the semester is a great time to get active and set up new routines, and the University of Calgary has many options. The best part is that this semester Active Living has given each student a $25 credit to any wellness service, increasing affordability. Here are 10 ways to stay fit this semester.
1. Register for a fitness class. Days of Fitness is a program that offers free fitness classes for students every day of the week. These include indoor cycling, Yoga in That Empty Space, Boot Camp and Zumba.
2. Come to the gym. All students are already members. Visit in the morning hours if you want to avoid crowds.
3. Personal Training. Don’t know what to do when you get to the gym or are looking for advice on how to develop an efficient workout program? Come work with one of our nationally-certified trainers who are currently students or U of C alumni.
The personal trainers can teach you how to build a smart and safe exercise program that works around your schedule so you can live a balanced lifestyle. You will start with fitness testing and a goal setting session. Students get discounted prices on personal training and there is also buddy training — so grab a friend and come check out some fun exercise options.
4. Sign up for an intramural sport. If you don’t have a team, you can sign up as a single. Not only will you meet new friendly faces, but you will have a regular exercise activity in your schedule. Plus, you get freedom to dress up in whatever crazy team outfit you want to.
5. Get inspired by the Olympic training centre and go to the Oval to try some skating or running: students get in free with their ONEcard. There is public skating most days — check their schedule out online. Don’t like running on a treadmill or the track in the gym? With a 450-metre track and plenty of stairs, this option is great for someone looking to get away from the gym rush.
6. Climb the wall. Head to the basement of Kinesiology B building and give the bouldering wall a go. A low-cost climbing option, it can be done solo or with a group of friends. If you’ve never been bouldering before, there are intro bouldering classes — one night crash courses — offered by the Outdoor Center throughout the semester to get you started.
7. Dust off the racquet and take some swings: the U of C has 13 squash and four racquetball/handball courts for student use in the racquet centre. Courts can be booked online, ensuring there will be an open court for you when you get there. If you have never picked up a racquet, Active Living offers rental racquets and a beginner course to get you on your way.
8. Fresh Air. Go outside and play on a not-so-average playground. Located behind the Oval and steps away from the residence buildings is an adult fitness park. This park has boxes for jumping or stepping up on, bars for pull-ups, pushups, dips and even a pulldown machine.
9. Drop-in gymnastics: Want a space to practice your trampoline skills? On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30–9:00 p.m., the university’s Gymnastic Centre offers free drop-in gymnastics with professional coaches. Space is limited, so registration opens at client services at 3:00 p.m. each day for the evening.
10. Daily movement. Move as much as you can throughout the day: walk or bike to school, walk to classes, take study breaks to go up and down the stairs or go for a loop around one of the library buildings. As few as 10 minutes of activity will help improve your focus and concentration, increase energy levels and prevent those back and neck muscles from stiffening up while you study away.