Whether this is your first semester on campus or you’re a graduate student, endless hours of online classes have not only become tedious and mundane but have made us somewhat stationary in our day-to-day activities. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of high intensity exercise each week. But how to achieve these goals? Getting into a workout routine or running endlessly for miles can seem daunting and downright impossible at first. Instead, here are some fun and different ways to stay active this semester.
- Nature is neat!
-
Living in Florida, it’s mostly sunny year-round, so take advantage of that sunshine! The Gainesville area offers a multitude of trails for all fitness levels. Bring a couple of friends, lunch and sunscreen to make a fun day out of it! Sweetwater Loop, located at the Sweetwater Wetlands Park, is an easy trail 10 minutes from campus. With boardwalks and abundant wildlife, the hike is 3.4 miles long with no hills and easy terrain. Expect to see plenty of birds and maybe even an alligator if you’re lucky.
The next trail sports a lookout and a more first-hand look at Paynes Prairie’s diverse landscape. Bolen Bluff is a 3-mile hike into the prairie that boasts the possibility of seeing wild horses and bison. This trail is perfect for all skill levels but remember to bring sunscreen and a hat in the summer. If you hike this trail in the late afternoon, you can catch the sunset from the side of the road off U.S. Route 441 on the way back. Next, is a trail that is well-known for being paved and well-shaded year-round. As a “point-to-point trail,” the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail is 15 miles long and connects Gainesville to the city of Hawthorne and is popular with bikers and hikers alike. Choose how far you want to go and enjoy the many side trails and lookouts. Although, make sure to reference a map before taking too many detour trails!
- Let’s get physical!
-
Unfortunately, Olivia Newton-John will not be singing or teaching any of the fitness classes mentioned, but UF RecSports fitness instructors are the next best thing. With yoga, cardio classes, strength training, dance classes and even kickboxing, there is most definitely a class that will motivate you to get moving. Next time you’re feeling stiff, but not in the mood for a super-strenuous workout, try a yoga class, specifically vinyasa yoga, which focuses on smooth transitions paired with your breath. With relaxing music and easy to follow moves, this class will ease your mind as well as your body.
On days when you want to get the blood pumping, check out a kickboxing class at Southwest Recreation Center or the Student Recreation Center. Learn different kickboxing moves while moving in-sync with pop music. This class is for all levels, and the instructors will show modifications for all exercises. For a more strength-focused class, try a total body class, which includes cardio and weights. For 45 minutes, learn how to strengthen and tone your body while also sharing in the camaraderie of “How many more sets did she say we’re doing?”
The schedule for all the group fitness classes offered by UF RecSports can be found here. Classes are offered every day at Southwest Recreation Center and the Student Recreational Center. They are free for all UF faculty and students when you log in with your Gatorlink login when registering.
- Hey batter, batter, batter!
-
Do you miss playing sports in high school? Intramural sports offer a great way to get involved on campus while staying safe. With a regular season of three to six weeks and endless sports options, you can choose how much time you want to commit and the people you want on your team. This semester, UF RecSports is offering 2×2 soccer tennis, 3×3 outdoor basketball, dodgeball, pickleball, 4×4 flag football, softball, tennis, sand volleyball and many more sports.
Leagues can be male, female or co-ed. Join with your sorority, the people in your dorm or with a club. The team options are endless or, if you want to meet new people, join a league as a free agent and be placed on a team randomly! Click here to see a list of all sports offered this semester.
- Prioritizing you
-
It’s easy to get caught up in the fitness craze, with YouTube and social media showing all the newest ways to get in shape and stay healthy. Remember not to get caught up in achieving a certain look or body shape. Prioritize your health by moving a little bit each day, even if it’s just a walk around the block. It’s OK if you have a day where you aren’t as active as you’d like to be. Be kind to yourself and celebrate those everyday achievements.
So, take a quick break from lectures and assignments, and try a new way to get moving this semester!