April 18, 2017
Daryn Vlad
It took me three semesters at UCCS to take advantage of the beautiful, newly renovated Rec Center.
I’m no fitness expert and I’m not much of an athlete, but a quick 30-minute workout definitely improves the quality of my day. If I’m struggling to stay focused, going for a quick walk or jog will usually put me back on track.
Students, who can all benefit from services offered by the Rec Center, should take advantage of this while they still can. I am more motivated to do well on a homework assignment or study for an exam if I worked out that morning.
My favorite way to exercise at the Rec Center is through group fitness classes. I love morning yoga, spin and my new favorite, Barre, where it only costs students $20 a semester to attend an unlimited amount of classes. Barre classes are over $100 per month outside of UCCS.
Students pay $160 per semester for the Rec Center fee, so you should use this before you have to spend $50 every month on a gym membership.
While working out at the Rec Center can make you feel better about yourself and your wallet, it also helps with your learning. A study conducted at the University of British Columbia found that aerobic exercise increases the size of the hippocampus, the area of the brain that handles memory and learning, according to the Harvard Health Blog.
As you take care of your body and build up strength, working out regularly also improves your class performance. It’s a win-win situation, really.
College is stressful and exhausting, so why not try anything you can to keep focused and motivated?
The Rec Center offers club sports, including tennis, lacrosse and volleyball. Students can also take swimming lessons in their pool which varies from 1 to 9 feet deep.
If you want an individualized workout, options exist for that too. Our Rec Center has treadmills, ellipticals, strength-training machines and other options for anyone looking to get in shape.
If you can’t motivate yourself to workout on your own, the Rec Center offers personal training for a fraction of the price you would pay outside of campus.
For students, prices vary from $30 for one hour-long session to $270 for 18 sessions.
Other gyms such as 24 Hour Fitness charge its members $380 for five 50-minute sessions and $1,512 for 24 sessions, according to their website.
Personal training is a great way to get in shape with a one-on-one fitness mentor. The Rec Center also offers a complimentary fitness assessment before and after the training to track change over time.
Students have the option to split the cost of a trainer by purchasing team-training, where two students share a personal trainer and workout together.
Outside of fitness, the Rec Center also offers mental health services, nutrition help and general health services such as immunizations.
As a student with a lot on my plate, just like you, I can assure you that working out will make your busiest days a little easier to get through.
We’re all busy, but finding a few minutes to put aside for yourself can make a difference.
Next time you want to get your sweat on, consider hiring a personal trainer or attending a weekly spin class. It feels great to be healthy.