Exercising as a Student
By Gabe Nelson
As a student at Lancaster University, I can never seem to find time for exercise on top of the workload, societal activities and chores. Don’t forget the procrastination too of course. But exercise is important and should always hold a place in your weekly routine. Personally, I’m a big fan of exercise and choose to do it several times a week, even if it is just a small 10 minute series of movements to get the body warmed up. I can tell you about the many ways I get my exercise during the week.
Exercising in your Room
One place to do exercise is in your student room and there are many ways this can be done. You can follow workouts and routines given by websites or apps like Nike Training Club or Youtube videos. I love using all of these, but sometimes I’m not a big fan of sitting down and doing one straight workout for thirty minutes. Instead I set myself small challenges such as doing two push-ups every time I open the door to the room. This might not seem like a lot but after an entire day, if i’ve opened the door 30 times, that’s sixty pushups! I apply this to my work life as well and stick notes on my door during revision periods, looking at them every time I leave the room.
Exercising Outdoors
Lancaster University campus itself stretches over 360 acres of land and is another excellent place for exercise. Sometimes even walking between classes can be a trek as it takes roughly fifteen minutes to walk from end to end. But for more enjoyable walks where you aren’t rushing off to catch a lecture or workshop, there are lovely paths surrounded by greenery and open spaces that lead through the campus; in addition to the walkways which reach across campus, there is a woodland walk. The woodland walk starts near the sports centre and leads to a stretch of peaceful woodland.
Alongside the trail there are several exercise stations which have equipment to help you work different parts of your body whilst going for a walk, such as a set of pull up bars, and they can really help you get in a quick workout whilst getting across campus!
The Bailrigg Student Living Gym
If you live off campus in a shared house or student halls, you may not have a good chance to do exercise on campus if you are rushing home at the end of the day. However, living at Bailrigg gives you the best of both worlds - you can exercise in the free gym or in your room and also pop across the road to campus for a bike ride, walk or run. The gym might be small but it is perfectly formed with just enough equipment to keep you strong and fit but not too much to baffle you.
All in all, I hope you all manage to do your exercise and remember to drink plenty of water to stay healthy!
