Working out is tough. I get it. I can’t remember the last time I was genuinely excited to pick up a pair of weights or get on a treadmill. And JUST when all the holiday treats go away, you’re faced with the shiny red wrappers and boxes of Valentine’s Day chocolate. (Honestly, who can resist chocolate?) But once that lovely sugar high is over, finding a good workout routine isn’t such a bad idea. The key is to find the workout that works for YOU. Read on to figure out how to find your perfect workout around campus!
Luckily for us Fordham girls, there’s a lot we can do to burn off that Valentine’s candy. The Lombardi Center is your cheapest and most convenient option. Even in the rain or snow, the gym is still a manageable walk from anywhere on campus. But if the thought of breaking a major sweat in front of your classmates freaks you out just a bit, there are other options. 24 Hour Fitness is literally two minutes outside the Walsh Library gate. (If you haven’t seen it before, it’s in the same building as Walgreens.) They offer a seven-day pass to try any of their clubs for free – no strings attached!
Not a Gym Kind of Girl?
If money is tight and the gym just isn’t your “thing,” there’s still tons of other ways to get fit at Fordham – especially so close to Manhattan. One surprising source of free fitness classes is NYC Parks and Recreation. Just go to nycgovparks.org/befitnyc to find out about the department’s many free fitness classes across the five boroughs, including Shape Up NYC and Walk NYC. A Google search for “free workouts in NYC” also turns up great options, like Dancecrave.blogspot.com, which lists free or inexpensive dance classes in the city.
Break Out the Sweat Socks
And no matter how ‘80s it may seem, don’t underestimate a great workout DVD! Not all workouts are created equally, and not all workout DVDs are cheesy. If you’re feeling ambitious, try out Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. It’s intense, but just when you think you can’t do another rep, Jillian switches things up and keeps the workout moving. Another great video is Denise Austin: Mat Workout Based on the Work of J.H. Pilates. This DVD has both a traditional Pilates workout and a Yoga-inspired Pilates workout.
Still need an incentive to work out? Swing by Modell’s across from Grand Central in Manhattan and pick up a cute workout top or pair of sneakers. No need to break the bank – just find something that motivates you to work out! But remember: Working out isn’t about becoming stick-thin or wearing a certain size. It’s about being HEALTHY and ACTIVE.
Now with all these fitness choices mapped out, picking out the right one for you is the hardest part. But getting through the workout should be no sweat!