Are you trying to come up with some fun ways to exercise? Has your workout routine gotten a little boring + you want to switch it up a bit? In college (or really anywhere) there are so many options of ways not only to work out, but where you can do it. It can kinda be confusing to know where to start or come up with ideas.
Through this post I’m sharing with you some of my favorite ways to exercise in college + I hope you can find it helpful, whether you love exercising or you’re trying to get into it. Going to the gym is not your only option for exercise at college…. although I highly recommend it. But there are still plenty of ways to make it enjoyable + switch up your routine.
–workout in your dorm
If you have enough room, you can could totally work out in your dorm. You really don’t need too much space! In all the dorms I’ve been in so far, I’ve had enough space to do it, so you probably can too. You may have to get creative for what moves you can do based on how much space you have + how loud it is, but it is a great option if it’s raining, if you don’t want to go to the gym or if you have a busy schedule.
There are plenty of resources on YouTube for at home workouts + exercises you can do without weights. Or if you have a yoga mat, your own weights or resistance bands, those would work even better.
But exercising in your room is totally not out of the ordinary. My roommate + I do it a bunch. It can be a little awkward if your room mate comes in or if they are working while your in there, but you kinda just have to get over that + care more about getting exercise.
–run around campus
If it’s safe + you enjoy running, you should try running around your campus. Most campuses are super nice to run around + it’s pretty common for people to do it as well. Or if you don’t enjoy running or aren’t a long distance runner, you could do intervals of walking + running.
It may be kinda embarrassing running around campus if you’re concerned about what people may think, but you could run where there aren’t many people or at a time of the day that’s not busy or just get over the fact that people might see you– it’s really not that big of a deal.
–use resources around you, like stairs, tables + benches
This was one of my favorite ways to exercise. Try to get creative with the structures around you, such as tables, benches, stairs, ledges, walls… honestly anything you can think of.
There were stairs right outside my dorm so I was able to run up + down them to get some cardio in or do lunges or other stuff I found on Pinterest. You can also use ledges to do moves, like calf raises, or use benches to do jump squats or planks. There is such a variety in things you can do– and it doesn’t just have to be for college.
I would look on Pinterest if you can’t come up with ideas on your own or need some help.
–go to your school gym
I have to plug this in here, but your school gym is not as scary as it seems. I wish I went more, but I didn’t really start using it until my second semester. People don’t care as much as you think. They aren’t staring at you. You don’t have to use all the fancy equipment.
Although you may want to avoid the gym, I challenge you to actually try it out. You might like it. You can still get a good work out if you just use the treadmill + free weights. But whatever your concerns (or excuses) may be, I hope you can get over it + consider the gym. You are paying for it + have access to it, so use it!
–go to work out classes your school offers
I’m sure if your school is like mine, they have a variety of fitness classes (although I don’t know how that is going with COVID). If any of them seem interesting, try one out + maybe bring a friend along too. You may meet new people or find a new passion.
But I think it’s a great way to exercise + have fun. Plus if it’s scheduled into your day, you are less likely to push it off or cancel. And the extra guidance may help you out if you are a beginner + have no idea what you’re doing.
–walk/run/ rollerblade/ bike around a local lake or park
My city has plenty of lakes + one of the things we love to do is walk around one of the lakes nearby. Seriously, it is one of the most common things people do around here… and I agree that it is a lot of fun.
Bring whatever you have, whether its a bike, rollerblades, or just bring your self to walk or run. Being outside is so nice, especially if you’re used to being stuck on your campus a lot. You may have to factor in the time of day, the weather + if you have a ride, but it is worth it to be outside + moving.
If there’s hiking near your school or other outdoor activities, that would also be a neat option… however in Florida, we don’t have any hills so hiking is never an option for us. But the trails we have are a nice walk.
–swim at your school’s pool
I think I’m picking up on a common theme with most of these ideas: it may require a bit of courage or may be a little uncomfortable, but once you do it, it can turn into something you love.
For me, I thought swimming would be awkward + I didn’t want to run into people I knew… but the pool is a pretty chill place. Whether you are tanning or sitting with your feet in or actually swimming, it isn’t as bad as you would think. If you enjoy swimming, then you should def try out your school’s pool. It doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it seems!
-participate in intramurals
At first I didn’t want to participate in intramurals because I didn’t know anyone + didn’t know the skill level of the teams… but let me tell you, I had so much fun with it. Some people are super competitive + really good, but others do it more for fun. Plus, you can meet people along the way.
If you are looking to play a sport you love or just to get some exercise, I highly suggest looking into intramurals.
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*If you are seriously trying to avoid your school’s gym, you could get a membership at a local gym nearby. I know some people who have done that. Personally, I wouldn’t do that, but it is an option.
Whether it’s going to your school’s pool or running around campus + everything in between, there are SO many great ways to exercise while you’re at college. It may require you to have a bit of courage, or do something you may not normally do, but it can be rewarding in the end.
I hope you found these ideas helpful. I know not all of them are out of the ordinary or that ‘out of the box’, but maybe seeing them can help give you ideas or motivate you.
Comment down below what your favorite way to exercise at school is or if there’s something I left out that you highly recommend.
I hope you have a great rest of your day!
<3 Ainsley