Staying active on campus in 2023

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It’s that time of year again for New Year’s resolutions. For a long time, my New Year’s resolutions have been centered around improving myself in some way, whether that be learning a new skill, becoming more organized or getting in shape. I feel like a lot of women have had losing weight as their New Year’s resolution at some point. Unrealistic beauty standards and a lack of body positivity in popular media have further pushed the idea that women should look a certain way. Instead of working out to lose weight and be skinnier, we should instead view exercise as a form of self-care.

Exercising is not only good for your physical health, but it can also help improve your mood and reduce stress. Whether it be weightlifting, cycling, yoga or Pilates, there are so many ways to get out there and get moving. Finding workouts that I actually enjoy has really helped me shift my mindset from working out to lose weight to working out because it’s fun. I know that starting to go to the gym can be really intimidating at times, and it can be hard to know where to start. In this post, I hope to make you a little more familiar with the fun ways students can stay active on campus.

Campus Resources

• The Johnson Recreation Center and Alumni Gym Fitness Center both offer a variety of group workout classes. There are classes that focus on abs, lower/upper body, cycling, yoga, dance fitness, barre and more. None of these classes require any previous experience in the gym and you are welcome to do everything at your own pace.

• Personal training services are available at both the JC and Alumni. Trainers can help you get to know your way around the gym and personalize workout plans to help you meet your goals.

• A variety of intramural sports take place each semester. Sports are a great way to stay active while also having fun with friends.

• Club sports are also offered for students who want to play at a more competitive level than intramurals.

• The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, is located past Kroger Field on Alumni Drive. It is a beautiful outdoor space where you can go for a nice walk and enjoy some sun.

I know that the stress of deadlines, assignments and work can often be overwhelming, but as college students, it’s important that we find the time to prioritize our health and wellbeing. So, if your New Year’s resolution is to get in the gym, I hope you utilize these resources to find a workout that you enjoy and remember to take care of yourself this year.