We all have those days when the gym is the last place we want to be. Even the most intense gym warrior gets sick of the same old day to day gym routine. So shake it up and get out of that smelly gym! Here are some things you can do and places you can go.
Running/Jogging/Walking
I came to school last fall with no desire to run more than a mile, and perhaps participating in the occasional 5K. But over the winter I befriended a girl who became my gym buddy, and she loved to run! We would jog at a conversational pace around the indoor track during the cold months, and I built up my endurance. During spring semester, she asked me to do a Half Marathon with her. I am happy to say I agreed, and we had to start training. I was able to run the entirety of the half marathon, all 13.1 miles, because of the absolutely wonderful running paths in this area that I was lucky enough to train on! It made the longer distances more fun. A year ago I would have never explained a long distance run as “fun”—ever—but I took advantage of them then, and I’m taking advantage of them once again as I train for my next half marathon in October with my same gym buddy!
· Burlington Bike Path: You can run on this bike path too! The general rule is walkers, joggers, runner, and bikers stay to the right and pass on the left to help keep some organization!
http://www.btvbikepath.com/default.asp
· Colchester Causeway: Another bike path that’s totally runner friendly!
http://colchestervt.gov/Recreation/Causeway.html
· 5K Loop: It’s right here on campus! It begins near Virtue Field and then extends down Spear Street, continuing around the UVM Research Facility for a little bit, then near a beach you will make a right on to a trail that goes by a few solar panels and on the edge of the golf course. Warning: it does end with a long, but not too steep hill! (I missed the turn at the bench my first time on this loop, but don’t worry about that because you’ll just end up coming up South Prospect Street by Redstone!)
http://www.uvm.edu/~recspts/?Page=facilities/5kloop.html&SM=facilitiessubmenu.html
Hike
Hiking is an awesome way to exercise, and see some of the beautiful state that surrounds us. A great way to spend a weekend with your friends would be to pack a lunch or stop at a deli and grab some sandwiches (Stacks in downtown Burlington is my favorite sandwich shop), and have a little picnic and enjoy the view once you get to the top! In Vermont, there are unlimited places to go for a hike. They range in difficulty and duration so there is a trail for every level of hiker!
· Mount Philo State Park: Located in Charlotte, VT, Mount Philo can be a quick and easy hike, and it has an completely breathtaking view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. The view from the top reminds me of fairytales. (If you are absolutely not a hiker, you can actually drive all the way to the top to see the view)
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/philo.htm
· Sterling Pond Trail: Sterling Pond is up in Smuggler’s Notch in Jeffersonville, and it is a very unique trail because at the top of the trail there is the most quaint little pond with a view of the top of Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort! It is a little challenging, but it doesn’t take too long. (This is the trail I hiked with my roommate the first weekend of freshman year!!)
http://www.smuggs.com/pages/summer/outdoor/selfGuidedHikes.php
· Camels Hump: Camel’s Hump is definitely a full day commitment, but there are tons of different trails climbing up the sides of Camel’s Hump, so there is a trail for everyone.
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/camelshump.htm
Bike
The Burlington Area is decked out with awesome places to hop on your bike! Believe it or not, in the Green Mountain State there actually are some bike paths that are not hilly in the slightest. The Burlington Bike Path stretches over ten miles along the edge of lake Champlain. There is currently a rehabilitation of the bike path underway! At the far end of the Burlington Bike Path, there is a Causeway that extends right out near the Mallets Bay Cove. It is one of the most spectacular views of the lake and the mountains because as it curves out into the water, you can see the mountains from all different angles.
· Burlington Bike Path: 10+ miles of mostly paved trails that go along the lake. You can begin at Oakledge Park, the Waterfront by Echo, or really any section on the path!
http://www.btvbikepath.com/default.asp
· Colchester Causeway: A causeway the stretches right out into the lake and curves around the bay giving you a beautiful view to workout with.
http://colchestervt.gov/Recreation/Causeway.html
Kayaking/Paddle Boarding
It might be getting a little late for these activities, but kayaking and paddle boarding are some great ways to exercise while having fun! I recently tried paddle boarding for the first time and absolutely fell in love. I went back again the next weekend, and even looked into purchasing my own paddleboard. Once you stand up on the board and get the hang of it, it is super fun and relaxing, But don’t worry—you’ll feel the burn in your legs later. Kayaking is also great because you can explore different parts of the stunning coves of Lake Champlain, and it also builds up those beautiful shoulder muscles!
· Oakledge Park: Over in South Burlington, Oakledge Park has PaddleSurf Champlain, a paddleboard rental place, set up right there for your convince! You can either take lessons or just rent the board by hour, half day or full day!
http://www.paddlesurfchamplain.com
· North Beach: North Beach does kayak and canoe rentals right from the beach also! And just like PaddleSurf you can rent the boats by hour, half day, or full day.
http://www.enjoyburlington.com/NorthBeach/CanoeandKayakRental.cfm
Walk to class!
Lastly and the easiest one of all, walk to your classes! Don’t underestimate the exercise that can be naturally built into your day. Maybe even leave a little early if you have time and take a longer route to class. I know this will be a little harder once it gets into those colder months, but power up those hills and you can definitely keep your muscles warm. (And always take the stairs!)