As college students we are required to deal with countless stressors every day. Exercising and eating a balanced diet can help you stay healthy and reduce your stress-levels. Exercising and physical activity causes your body to increase its production of endorphins, allows you to take your mind off of worries you currently have, improves your mood, and helps you sleep better!
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The University of Arkansas offers a multitude of opportunities for students to stay active.
There are also two fitness centers on campus. One located in the HPER (Health, Physical Education and Recreation) Building and one in the Arkansas Union. Just show your student ID to enter! Personal training and small group training are great if you are looking for more of an individualized workout. The HPER Building has a swimming pool, a fitness center, a bouldering and climbing wall, and numerous classes.
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One of my personal favorites, is the group fitness classes. They are offered at both the HPER and the Union, at no additional cost to students. -Selina
You can sign up for Yoga, Insanity, Zumba, Pilates, Cross Fit, Aqua Fitness, Group Cycle and so much more. My personal favorite is Total Body Conditioning. I do this not just to stay in shape, but also because this is a great way to relieve stress. With a heavy course load or even an easy course load, school can get stressful from time to time. This is a great way to let some of that stress go without eating 8 cookies from the cafeteria and a tub of ice cream. –Devenney
You can sign up for a class that fits your schedule online to reserve your spot, or you can just show up! Visit http://urec.uark.edu/fitness/group-fitness/index.php for a full schedule of classes offered every week.
I generally go to the fitness center in the Arkansas Union because it is a smaller than the HPER, and is more centrally located on campus. Occasionally, I attend a Zumba class with some friends, which is always a blast. The instructors are full of energy and you leave feeling very energized. In Fayetteville, Arkansas, we are pretty lucky to have beautiful weather on most days. When it is too nice out to exercise inside, I like to take a bike ride or go for a run on Scull Creek Trail. The trail runs through Fayetteville and is a great alternative way to exercise outside without having to drive anywhere. –Selina
If you are more of a sports person, there are intramural sports that you can also be a part of. You and a group of friends can start your own team and compete in games against other teams. And if you win, you will get a super cool t-shirt and get your team picture on a wall of intramural champions! There are also club sports that range from baseball to ballroom, where you compete against other teams at different schools. Club and intramural sports are a great way to keep playing a sport you played in high school, or try something completely new!
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My freshman year I joined a co-ed sand volleyball team and soccer team with students from my dorm. We didn’t have a perfect record, but we had a blast together and it was something I looked forward to doing every week. –Selina
Joining a club or intramural sports team is also a great way to meet new people. Check out the options at http://urec.uark.edu/club-sports/ & http://urec.uark.edu/intramural-sports/.
Whatever you like to do to stay active, the University of Arkansas has an option for you!
On Monday, February 22nd from 4pm-7pm we will host Rec Day in the HPER Building (Gyms 2, 3, & 4). The main focus of this event is an elaborate obstacle course, which includes two inflatable units and various other activities such as slackline, army crawl, rowing, and battle ropes. Your goal is to complete the entire course at a “competitive” level in order to be entered for the grand prize. If you choose to compete at the “recreation” level, you are still entered for free prizes!
The second aspect of this event is a Health Fair that features FREE FOOD, a photo area, InBody testing, DDR and other games, and multiple vendors. Currently, we have confirmed giveaways and tabling from Cave Cloth, Pat Walker Health Center, Zaxby’s, Uncle Sam’s, Jimmy Johns, Gearhead, and more. Even if you choose not to compete in the obstacle course, you can still enter yourself to win one of the many..many giveaways we have accumulated from vendors.
