How I Got Into Fitness During My Freshman Year at JMU

Updated Published

Madeline Willinger Student Contributor, James Madison University

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at JMU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When I toured JMU, one thing that greatly stood out to me was its high-quality gym, which many Dukes know as UREC or the University Recreation Center. I’m not saying that I picked JMU because of UREC … but it was a really nice feature to have for my college experience. Since I came to JMU to begin my college career, UREC quickly became one of my favorite campus spots.

Science shows that working out and staying active helps boost mental health and overall wellbeing. Before I came to JMU, I didn’t have a consistent workout routine. Now that I have one, I see the benefits in almost every part of my life. UREC was the first chance I had to create this routine; so, coming from this perspective, here are my tips for anyone who is looking to start a similar journey when they arrive at JMU (and, some of my favorite places to shop for workout gear to start your fitness journey!).

1. Take Advantage of UREC Classes

One of the best things I started doing that helped me with becoming more comfortable at the gym (and making me feel less bored with what I was doing) was to take UREC’s free fitness classes to try many different activities. So far, I’ve tried out the Express Cycle, Power Yoga, Yoga Fitness, Vinyasa Flow, Boxing, HIIT, and Cycle Circuit classes offered at UREC. Of those listed above, the ones I’ve attended the most have been Express Cycle, Power Yoga, and HIIT! Another class offering at UREC I want to highlight is the Friday Happy Hour classes, because they’re a great way to fill that awkward time on a Friday between getting your schoolwork done and getting ready for your evening plans. (P.S., remember that registration for UREC classes open 48 hours in advance!)

2. Make a Really Good Playlist

As many studies show, music has a huge influence on our moods, and going to the gym is no different. Making a fun gym trip is always embellished by a great playlist that just makes you want to move. If you like to stair step or treadmill strut — like I do when I’m not attending a workout class — a great playlist is key. Some songs on my playlist that always make me want to strut are “Talk talk” by Charli xcx feat. Troye Sivan, “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna, “Illusion” by Dua Lipa, “Semi-Charmed Kinda Life” by Third Eye Blind, and “Brutalizer” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Challengers.

3. Start simple and Work Up

If you’ve never been to the gym, something that can make the experience less overwhelming at first can be to start with simpler activities and work up to the other activities through observation. For example, the first time you go to the gym, you can just walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes. But the next time, you can try the stair stepper for 45 minutes. Or, you can go to the gym to get a feel for the place before signing up for an exercise class to try something new. Either way, the first step is to go to the gym and observe so you can decide what it is you want to try and then try it!

4. Utilize the Full Facility

Aside from the major workout areas, UREC has other areas that offer a lot of activities to students. For example, there’s the sauna and hot tub in the Aquatic Center, the pickleball courts, the UREC Wellness Center, and way more. If you want to try outdoorsy/active activities off-campus, UREC offers off-campus events for skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, hiking, and more. These activities do cost money, but they can be fun to invest in. I’ve done ice skating in Bridgewater and snow tubing in Massanutten, and I’d definitely recommend them if you’re interested in trying new things but don’t have a car to leave campus (so, they’re perfect for freshmen)!

Where to Shop

Now for the fun stuff … where to shop! From personal experience, I would say that if you attend the gym 3-5 days a week, a collection of 4-5 pairs of workout bottoms and 5-10 tops seems appropriate. Most items are easily washable, so less can be more, and the cost of good quality workout gear can add up over time. My workout collection primarily comes from the workout gear giants like Athleta, Lululemon, and Vuori. Although these are pricey, I like to ask for them as gifts or invest in them because they have longevity. Vuori gear especially holds up well and is made of the softest materials. I also love that their flared leggings are offered in multiple inseam options! Additionally, I’ve purchased two items on ThredUp from Free People Movement and Athleta — they were much cheaper than retail and barely worn, so I recommend checking there for other options. Another little tip is that for a place like Athleta, which has a girls line, the largest kids sizes are equivalent to the smaller adult sizes. I like the patterns and colors of the kids’ clothes more sometimes, so this is a great way to get colorful workout clothes!

Overall, when coming to JMU, taking advantage of UREC is something all students should do. Also, if you take HTH 100 for the Gen-Ed requirement, you will have to log at least 15 hours in UREC’s facilities, so taking advantage of that requirement could lead you to new hobbies and interests you may not have known you had — like working out and being active! All in all, UREC has become one of my favorite places on campus for all the reasons listed above. So, if you want to add a new hobby to your life, look no further than fitness!