How to stay fit in college

by Miriam Lipke

The dreaded “Freshman Fifteen”. Many college students frantically attempt to avoid this added weight, while others view it as inevitable.

All you can eat dining and less time for physical activity are common culprits. However, here at Concordia, there are many easy ways to stay fit in college, while still having fun and keeping off the extra pounds.

Concordia has year-round intramural sports. This makes it easy to get a field or court with other students. This fall, Concordia students can join men’s or women’s flag football, coed sand volleyball (or indoor volleyball), coed ultimate frisbee, coed kickball and coed dodgeball. Concordia will also host intramural tournaments, which include sand volleyball, men’s or women’s basketball and tennis.

Intramural sports continue in the spring, with sports such as basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. There will also be a variety of tournaments in the spring. For more information, contact Kelsey Higgins. Even if you aren’t up to playing intramural or official sports, just kicking or tossing a ball with friends can supply needed physical activity. Pickup games are great as well, and can be played in Concordia’s fieldhouse, the quad or any grassy area. This reduces stress and is a great way to unwind.

For those who prefer a more serious exercise environment, Concordia’s weight room is free for all students. The weight room is open every week day from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The weight room includes many cardio machines such as treadmills and elliptical bikes. In addition, the room includes a plethora of weights and strength training equipment.

Students can plug into the Seward community for fitness options as well. Jazzercise (a mix of dance and workout), is available free of charge for Concordia students with early morning and afternoon classes. Also, inMotion Fitness Studio, located downtown, offers classes like indoor cycling and toning workouts. Snap Fitness and T’s gym are other options for students, both within walking distance of campus.

Many students run, walk or ride their bikes on the Plum Creek trail. This trail allows you to enjoy nature near a beautiful running creek. Concordia students can use the Plum Creek trail for any duration or intensity of exercise. However, the easiest way to get

exercise while in college is simply to walk around campus. Students can inadvertently walk a mile in a day just by traveling from class to class. Even riding a bike around can provide extra cardio.

Students should enjoy college, and should not have to sacrifice their physical fitness to earn a degree. Here at Concordia, where such rich opportunities are available for friendship in Christ and stewardship of the body, Bulldogs can thrive as students, stay fit and enjoy their college experience.