For those co-eds fortunate enough to have travelled someplace sunnier during last week’s spring break festivities, toning up for warm weather may have already begun. However, for those of us who spent the week hibernating in our hometowns, thoughts of swimwear may just now be blossoming. Whether you are lying out on South Beach or rocking your sundress at the first fest of the season (High Fest, April 23! Mark your calendars!), all girls want to look their best for spring quarter. So, as two girls who regularly indulge at Shively Dining Hall, drink a wide variety of intoxicatingly delicious and non-nutritious beverages on weekends, and are gearing up for swimsuit season ourselves, here are our “professional” opinions!
Indoors:
I am just going to come out and say it: I prefer Ping. Ohio University’s fitness center offers countless ways to get fit for spring. Whatever speed you like, walk, jog, or run, the track on the third floor is the spot for you. Not your style? Me either. However, there are tons of cardio machines (ellipticals, treadmills, stationary bikes, and StairMasters) to try out. For a change of pace, group fitness classes are scheduled every day. My favorites are Zumba, Cardio Dance, and Pilates. In addition to these classes, Ping offers workshops to register for and attend once a week. Some of this quarter’s workshops are Bellydance, Indoor Cycling, and R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense). The first floor weight room, multiple basketball and racquetball courts, cycling room, free weights overlooking the golf course, ping pong tables, enormous rock wall, adjacent tennis courts, and check-out-able fitness items such as medicine balls, provide every visitor with something new to try that will get them sweating. Speaking of sweating, Ping also houses full-service locker rooms. If you don’t have time to trek across campus to shower at home, just bring your amenities to shower post-work out. Or, forego the shower and head across the street to the Aquatic Center to prolong your exercise and rinse off with a few laps. The perks of Ping also go beyond fitness. Craving some candy? Forget the vending machine and head to Ping for some man candy instead!
Outdoors:
Speaking of man candy, what about the shirtless men that are always playing sand volleyball on South Beach? Or the sexy cross-country runners jogging along the walking track? Or the preppy golfers decked out in a Ralph Lauren polo and Titleist hat? All these men are not only in shape, but TAN! What better way to pass the time during your workout than by watching all types of guys work out as well? Working out outside offers many advantages. You can run, walk or jog at your own pace while taking in the beauty of Athens’s rolling hills. Take a walk to Bong Hill or jog along the Hocking River. Ride your bike to Wal-Mart instead of driving (which also helps the environment). Bring along your dog so you can both stay healthy. Being outside gives you an endless amount of sports to choose from to spice up your workout regime. Sand volleyball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, passing a football, the list goes on. Plus, all of these can be done in a swimsuit so you can multi-task and work on your tan at the same time! Try doing an ab workout while laying out to save even more time. If you’re feeling really adventurous, OU has many 5K events that support charities and other organizations. Free tan, free view, free workout—what could be better?