It’s a few weeks into the semester, and everything is becoming monotonous. It’s getting harder, and harder to stay awake through lecture, your favorite spot in the library has lost its appeal, and you wish you never had to eat ABP again. While nothing will make teaching yourself Orgo more exciting, or make West Union open sooner, your workout is one part of your routine that can be easy and fun to mix up.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
It’s all too easy to step in the gym, and go straight to the elliptical or treadmill. But, venturing into the weight room will really help you step up your fitness and confidence! Gym-timidation can be very real, but I always try to remind myself that people are focused on themselves at the gym, not on the other people there. The weight room will also offer you so many machines and pieces of equipment to use that will add variety to your routine. It can definitely seem daunting if you’re uncertain about how to use certain equipment, but if you try to learn a little bit each time you go, soon you will have plenty to work with!
Use Your Resources
Researching exercises, workout plans, nutrition information, and helpful tips online gives you access to so much information that will help you feel comfortable and at home in the gym. Bodybuilding.com is one of my favorites. Don’t be intimidated by the name—they have fitness information for any goal you might be aiming towards. You can do a filtered search for exercises targeting certain muscles, and using certain equipment. One of the best features they offer is FREE fitness plans available for any fitness level and objective.
Gym Alternatives
For those days when motivation is especially hard to come by, try out an alternative workout that will get you exercising with others, or trying something new. Check out the calendars for group fitness classes, which range from yoga to HIIT to kickboxing. Another great alternative, and one of the most fun workouts I’ve ever had, is rock climbing. The wall at Wilson has a variety of levels, and even if you have no previous experience it’s definitely worth trying! You’ll definitely feel the whole-body burn the next day! Finally, I highly recommend checking out intramural sports. Registration for softball and co-ed soccer is happening now, and both are a great way to keep team sports in your life after high school.