USU offers programs for students to stay fit
When students are juggling work, school and play, it may be difficult for them to find time to take care of themselves physically. However, according to the USU Campus Recreation Web site, Campus Recreation offers intramural sports, the Outdoor Recreation Center, club sports, the Fun, Fit, Forever program, the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building and the Fieldhouse.
Shelly Bybee, Fieldhouse manager and Fun, Fit, Forever program coordinator, said there are benefits to students who exercise.
“It makes students happier and gives them motivation to be a better student,” she said.
Bybee also said exercise helps reduce stress level tremendously.
Adam Clark, undeclared freshman, said exercise helps him think clearly especially when he is frustrated. Medterms.com said this is because exercise releases endorphins, which are mood-elevating chemicals.
Jessica Pedersen, freshman majoring in computer science, said exercise has a particular benefit for her because it helps control her diabetes.
“(Exercise) helps keeps blood sugar in control and helps my mood,” Pedersen said.
Pederson and Clark both said when they don’t exercise they feel less motivated to do school work. Clark said that it also improves his work ethic.
Bybee said simple things that can be done to help with fitness are participating in campus programs and walking instead of taking the bus.
Clark said on days he can’t get to the Fieldhouse, he does push-ups and sit-ups before class. Bybee said students should be exercising three to five times a week at least and that regular exercise helps get into a routine that can be helpful later in life.
There are ways to help motivate students to exercise, Bybee said.
“Around peers is a good atmosphere,” she said.
Pedersen said she invites people to run on a treadmill with her at the same time.
Campus Recreation offers many ways to be fit on campus.
Bybee said the Fun, Fit, Forever program is a free fitness program to all current students. Fun, Fit, Forever offers classes to all students with a valid student ID card. These classes include hip hop, jazzercise, step and kick boxing aerobics, yoga and water aerobics. A schedule is available on the Campus Recreation Web site, www.usu.edu/camprec/.
Campus Recreation also hosts the ORC, which has day and weekend trips and offers equipment rental. Other ways to get exercise on campus are at the Fieldhouse, which offers a rock climbing room, treadmills, an indoor track and other fitness equipment.
-kimberly.a.h@aggiemail.usu.edu