College students get a bad rap for being lazy and unfit, and I can understand why. Whenever you see a stereotype of a college guy on TV, chances are that he’s either at a frat party, skipping class, or eating way too much pizza. But the reality of the situation is that college students have so much time on their hands that they’d be crazy to pass up the opportunity to use some of the time to stay fit. Education is about being strong of body just as much as it’s about being strong of mind. The healthier your mind is, the better you can learn and understand new concepts.
For all that free time on their hands, I understand that the average college student is busy. Sometimes it’s impossible for the average guy in college to find time to do just about anything other than eat, sleep, and study. That’s why I’d like to take some time to write about some helpful strategies for guys who want to inject a little fitness into their college routine.
Consider an early start
This is the hardest sell for many guys in college. Sleep is the most precious commodity to college students, and it’s not a luxury that most are willing to give up lightly. But the fact of the matter is that you’ll feel much more energetic and engaged if you wake up a little earlier in the morning to go for a jog or do a few basic cardio and weight lifting exercises. Starting your day with an exercise routine—even a simple one—could have an amazing effect on the way you look at the rest of your day. All I ask is that you give it a try for a week.
Take an invigorating study break
So maybe you weren’t sold on waking up early. I get that, I was in college at one point too. Instead of doing a workout in the wee hours of the morning, why not hit the gym or do a series of pushups/sit ups when you’re burned out from studying? Rather than drain a few hours of your life surfing Facebook or watching fail videos on the web, you could do your body some serious good by relieving your stress the old fashioned way: burning a few hundreds calories.
Biking over driving
During college, I lived near campus in an apartment that was also in the heart of the city. Everything I needed was so near to me that I never had to drive a car—I could bike to get groceries, to go to class, or to visit a friend’s place. Not only did it feel great to bike through campus and through the surrounding city, but it also kept my physical endurance and stamina high. I didn’t spend my travel time sitting in a car; I spent it biking from place to place. You could do the same thing if you live in a bike-friendly part of town.
Keep a small gym bag with you
Sometimes you don’t want to go through the hassle of prepping for a workout. There are so many things you have to do to get ready if you’re not prepared: you have to go home and change into gym clothes, you have to find a place to work out, etc. Why not prepare in advance for a daily workout by keeping a gym bag on you at all times? That way you can be ready to hit the campus gym or go on an impromptu run whenever you want. If you’re carrying all the materials for a good workout on you, then you don’t really have an excuse to blow it off.
