Being fit is trending these days, and one of the coolest ways to make yourself more fit is to wear a Fitbit. You’ll already feel more healthy wearing one because you’ll be cognizant of how many steps you have taken, how many miles you have traveled, how many flights of stairs you have climbed, how many calories you have burned, and even your heart rate. On this beautiful Santa Clara campus, there are endless opportunities to reach the goal of walking 10,000 steps every day. Here are only a few that you can test out in your daily attempt to be fit.
1. Have a class in Casa
That building in the very corner of the campus that barely picks up the wifi signal is Casa. If you have a class here, put that Fitbit on and be ready to get those steps in. If you live here, bump your goal up to 20,000, because it takes about 10,000 steps to get anywhere from Casa.
2. Have a class on the third floor of Kenna
Those Kenna stairs are daunting, and the hike to the third floor tests a person both physically and emotionally. Use this to your advantage in your quest for 10,000 steps, and Fitbit will also record the flights of stairs you’ve walked!
3. Go to the Pony Express for lunch
Break away from the norm and get your lunch at the Pony Express food truck. Walking there will put you on the road to 10,000 steps without fail, plus you’ll get a break from the Benson routine.
4. Make a trip to Ike’s
A weekend trip to Ike’s is the perfect way to reach 10,000 steps. Although Ike’s is definitely within walking distance, your heart still has to be in it since its a bit of a walk. When you have your Fitbit on though, the hunger to reach 10,000 steps and eat a delicious sandwich at the same time will make the trip there and back a breeze.
5. Take the airport shuttle
Taking a flight out of Claradise? Take that free airport shuttle by the train station! Walking there will give you lots of steps (crossing the parking lot at the end is enough steps for a lifetime), and you’ll probably get bonus active minutes because you’ll be running to make the shuttle on time. Free rides and 10,000 steps are the perfect combination.
6. Go to a baseball game
Once Bronco baseball season starts, go to the games! Let’s be honest, there’s plenty of motivation to go even without your Fitbit as there’s no shortage of eye candy at the games (baseball pants anyone?). Wear your Fitbit when you go and you feel like an athlete yourself!
7. Walk down Bellomy
The best steps recorded are those you don’t realize you’re recording. If it’s a Bellomy kind of night, embrace the steps you’re taking walking from house to house or maybe from the street to the Bronco. You’ll rack up lots to reach that goal, and may even get a head start on the next day’s steps once you hit midnight.
8. Have a class in Lucas
That beautiful building in the front corner of campus doesn’t seem far away at all… until you have a class there. That final push to Lucas once you reach Vari is not for the weak of heart, and the motivation to reach 10,000 steps, in addition to getting to class on time, are the few things that will carry you through.
9. Live in Graham
Graham is fairly central in the grand scheme of the campus, and there is fairly easy access to anywhere on campus from there. Once in Graham, however, it’s a whole different story. Just because you’ve reached the lobby does not mean you’re out of the woods. Walking to the back corner of this fortress will get you more steps than you would like, and you can even get some flights of stairs in if you’re feeling risky. Don’t get lost!
10. Walk to Starbucks
Had a long day? Walk to Starbucks. Need to get off campus? Walk to Starbucks. Need to do homework? Walk to Starbucks. Need to hit 10,000 steps on your Fitbit? Walk to Starbucks! Starbucks is always the answer, no matter what the question. Get those steps, get that venti drink, and make your day a little bit better.
11. Go to the Farmers Market
Get on the road to 10,000 steps early on Saturday mornings by heading over to the farmers market. It’s a great way to start your day, and you’ll get the steps you need while feeling hip and healthy.
12. Get a snack in the cellar
If the clock is ticking closer to midnight and you still haven’t reached 10,000 steps, walk to the cellar to buy yourself a snack. They’re open until midnight so it’s the perfect destination for last minute steps, and you’ll even get a bonus flight of stairs!
13. Make a trip to Safeway
The walk to Safeway is another one that will test you. All of the differing variations of crossing the street to get there will somehow get you to 10,000 steps and will get your brain working in a whole new way. Make a couple of laps around the store once you’re there to keep adding up the steps, and maybe even treat yourself to some fresh produce or a mini cheesecake.
14. Have a class in the art building
Not only is this building on the outskirts of campus, it is also very tricky to find. That small building between Graham and Safeway is not, in fact, an old abandoned building, but is the home to multiple art classes (until they finish up the fabulous new arts building on the other side of campus). You’ll get your steps in whether you’re walking there or wandering around trying to find it.
15. Make a trip to Bellomy Field
Walking there alone will give you plenty of steps; it’s pretty far away unless you live in Casa. Once you’re there, run around the track a few times to get those steps and active minutes going. You don’t even have to run as much because the walk there and back is already enough exercise to reach 10,000 steps.
16. Take the stairs in Swig
Challenge yourself to take the stairs to your room in Swig. You will get 10,000 steps in a heartbeat, in addition to the flights climbed and calories burned. If you live on second floor Swig, you should probably be taking the stairs anyways, even if it won’t help with your step count.
17. Visit the Forge Garden
Reach 10,000 steps by heading over to the Forge Garden, which offers drop-in hours and volunteer opportunities. Utilize the chance to be in the beautiful Santa Clara weather while getting hands on experience with this nifty organic garden!
18. See a play in Mayer Theater
Head over to the corner of campus where all things performing arts related are located. If you see a play it will surely not disappoint, as Santa Clara is full of talented actors and actresses, and you will get closer to 10,000 steps on your way there and back.
19. Take a class on the second floor of O’Connor
The walk to O’Connor will give you a fair amount of steps, but those treacherous metal stairs on the outside of the building will seal the deal. By adding to your steps and your flights climbed, those steep and ominous stairs will create a healthier and more fearless you.
20. Take a lap of the campus
This beautiful campus has so much to offer, and so many possible Instagram photo opportunities. Take advantage of this by exploring the Mission Gardens, the entrance, and other beautiful and picturesque spots throughout the campus. Get your 10,000 steps, your Insta-worthy photo, and your daily dose of Claradise all in one.
Photo 1: Courtesy of allure.com
Photo 2: Courtesy of yelp.com
Photo 3: Courtesy of Sarah Downum