Some people have a sort of affinity for working out. They love cardio and lifting and all things sweat related. Sadly, I am not one of those people and if you are reading this, chances are neither are you. If the thought of going to Malley gives you anxiety and hurts the deepest parts of your soul, then you came to the right place. Here are my tips on how to stay fit AND avoid the campus gym.
Take the stairs
It’s not a full workout by any means, (though it may feel like it) but take the stairs! Taking the stairs is a great option to make you feel like you were active for the day. You can also use a staircase to literally workout. You don’t need a gym with a fancy stair master; just use some stairs around campus. If you live in swig, this idea is perfect for you, so take advantage of it! It’s not common to see people taking the stairs past 6th or 7th floor so use those top few floors to get in a quick workout. There likely won’t be anyone to stair (haha get it?) at you while you struggle for your breath after a few flights so there’s nothing to fear.
Make the world your mat
The mat at Malley is always filled with people. So grab a towel and make the world your mat. The lawns around campus are perfect for all the workouts that don’t require machines. You can do squats, abs, whatever is on your docket for the day. If public displays of working out aren’t your thing, just lay a towel down in your dorm room. You can do these types of “towel workouts” anywhere.
Swim
Ok, technically this tip requires going to Malley. But the pool is a totally different world from the inside gym. We live in a city with lots of warm and sunny days, even during the winter months, so swimming can be a yearlong activity. People often don’t realize how great of a workout swimming really is. So swim a few laps then lie out and tan to reward yourself. You were healthy.
Run (or walk)
There are tons of loops that you can run around campus to stay fit. Why run in a sweaty gym on an old treadmill when you can experience fresh air! The campus itself has a loop that is 1.73 miles. It starts at the corner of Benson and there are mileage markers along the way to help you keep track of your run. If you want something a bit longer you should try running to the San Jose rose gardens. It’s about 3.6 miles round-trip and it has a beautiful stop along the way.
Hike
If you know someone with a car you should try to get him or her to go and hike with you. Hiking is healthy and also fun and there actually are a lot of places not too far from campus that have cool places to hike. Another option if you love the outdoors is to sign up for an Into the Wild trip. They do a lot of cool excursions that are awesome experiences that introduce you to new people and new active experiences.
Eat Healthy
It’s not all about working out. Being fit is more than just burning off a certain number of calories a day. Being active is definitely important but your diet is also a huge part of being healthy. A healthy Benson classic you should try: a brown rice bowl with lots of veggies and your choice of protein. If your meal plan can take it, add an avocado for an extra-filling dinner.