The fitness center in Mabee Hall can be an intimidating place for some students, like sophomore Christen Dinkel.
However, she and other students in residence halls are finding alternative ways to stay fit throughout the spring semester.
“I did all the sports in high school, but I stopped once I came to college,” Dinkel said.
“I like to walk, but the gym really intimidates me.”
With weddings approaching, Dinkel wanted to find a way to work out without having to leave the residence hall.
“I wanted to do something to get into shape because I have some weddings coming up,” Dinkel said. “I was looking for a way to be able to do something without having to go to the gym, so I borrowed some of my aunt’s Pilates tapes.”
Dinkel, who is a resident assistant in Irwin, decided to start a Pilates class in the basement of the residence hall at 7 p.m. every Wednesday.
She started the class as her part of a fitness competition the residents were competing in.
“I feel it is a good way to exercise, and it is easily accessible because it is right downstairs,” freshman Stephanie Berg said.
As a result of low involvement, the competition was discontinued. Despite the challenge being over, Dinkel’s class turnout size is doing well, and she hopes to continue.
“It was only originally supposed to last for six weeks,” Dinkel said. “If we start having even better turnouts though, I would like to try some other tapes than what we are doing. It is fun to do, too. The more people we have come, the better. Just bring a mat and themselves.”
Freshman Mariah Barnett attends the class on a regular basis.
“A lot of people are really excited about the class and are enjoying it,” she said.
In addition to attending the Wednesday night Pilates class, freshman Kat Fritz enjoys playing racquetball to help get some physical activity and to have a bit of fun away from her schoolwork as well.
“I like playing racquetball because it is a good stress reliever and the courts are right in Collins Gym,” Fritz said.
Some students do take advantage of the fitness center’s equipment benefit before heading back to the residence hall for some more exercising.
“My roommate and I go over to the gym three times a week to walk on the treadmills, and then we come back to our room and do sit-ups for a while,” freshman Kelli Gamel said. “We also do a kickboxing video and have started counting calories.”
Trying to track and count each calorie can be a hassle, though.
It is helpful for students to just become more conscientious about food choices.
Opting for a piece of fruit rather than an extra piece of pie can help in simple lifestyle changes.
“Since I am poor, my lack of money usually keeps me pretty healthy,” Berg said. “I do try to steer away from the junk food in the cafeteria and just go for the applesauce, though.”
