Three Asian females of different body types walking outside for their health

3 Easy Ways to Exercise in College (Without Hitting the Gym!)

Feel like exercising but don't have the time or patience to go to the campus gym? Here are three great ideas to help you get moving.

Don’t have time to hit your school's fitness center but feeling the need to work out? Or maybe you feel uncomfortable with the gym atmosphere and would like to exercise in an alternative manner. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few easy ways to get your daily dose of exercise without visiting the campus gym.

1. Take a walk

Incredibly basic, we know—but seriously, walking is an underrated form of fitness, and it's so easy to do! According to the American Heart Association, walking does a slew of good things for your health. It can improve your blood pressure, reduce the risk of cancer, decrease the chance of heart disease, and even boost your mental health—not to mention, it burns a few calories and helps maintain your weight. This exercise is perfect for spring, so lace up your tennis shoes and take a walk around campus—you’ll find it refreshing.

2. Watch YouTube

Yeah, you read that right. Surf YouTube for workout videos that are simple to emulate in your dorm room! We recommend Body Talk Daily Videos for quick exercises—they’re great if you have a big load of homework waiting for you on your desk. If you’re looking for something a bit more extensive, try videos that are tailored for dorm living. You could even round up your roommates and have a little fun following a dance class video together! 

3. Ride your bike

Biking is the perfect exercise for students living in a college town. Ride your bike to class, ride your bike to the store, ride your bike to your friend’s apartment. The health benefits are plentiful! If you ride a bicycle on a regular basis, you’ll improve your cardiovascular fitness, reduce stress, improve your posture, and strengthen your muscles. Bonus: If you have a car, this will save you gas money.

Related: 6 Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle in College

Hitting the gym for a few hours isn’t the only method for exercising in college. There are alternative ways to work out that are just as advantageous to your well-being. These three easy modes of exercise will leave you feeling healthy and happy!

Live your best life in college by reading more articles and advice on health and wellness.

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About Ashley McDonald

Ashley McDonald is a freelance writer and blogger for CollegeXpress, Her Campus, HuffPost, and more. She studied Journalism and English at Central Michigan University.

 

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