Working hard or hardly working? Fitness at New College
Students, faculty and staff can make use of the Fitness Center found on campus, which is located behind third court and beside W. (Photo by Samantha Ramirez)

Working hard or hardly working? Fitness at New College

 

Students, faculty and staff can make use of the Fitness Center found on campus, which is located behind third court and beside W. (Photo by Samantha Ramirez)

 

According to national statistics and research done at Purdue and North Carolina State University, there is a strong correlation between exercise and academics, with college students who exercise on campus receiving better grades and an overall higher grade point average. So in the midst of homework, studying and getting through your college classes, it is important to remember the role that exercise and staying fit plays in students’ overall college experience.

”I start my mornings with a sunrise run by the bayfront and spend my evenings at the gym,” first-year Skylar Lingenfelser said. “Staying fit to me means staying healthy and that shouldn’t be forgotten about, especially in college!”

Students, faculty and staff can make use of the Fitness Center found on campus, which is located behind third court and beside W. The New College fitness center is visited by an average of 100 students/faculty a day on the weekdays and is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Staying fit and active during your college years doesn’t necessarily have to be a chore, with the fitness center and all its outdoor active equipment available. Sarasota and New College’s incredible views to students can help students not only get into shape but meet new people to socialize with and help relieve your stress.

The fitness center provides strength-training and cardiovascular equipment, as well as two tennis courts, a 25-meter pool, two indoor wood-floored racquetball courts, an inside wood-floored dance studio, a basketball court and a softball field. The fitness center also provides students with kayaks and sail boat, with free lessons from the Sail Club. Students are also free to rent camping and scuba equipment, The Fitness Center works closely with the Sail Club to meet the needs of students interested in going out onto the water.

 

Staying fit and healthy does not only rely on your physical and mental exercise and staying on track with a healthy diet.

 

Students attending New College who are frequent visitors to the fitness center might have heard of the Novo Fit Challenge which is in action from Aug. 28 to Dec. 6. Basically, each time one goes to the fitness center, it’s counted, and students can receive rewards if they visit the fitness center 30-50 times during the period. Boot Camp is also available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.in the fitness center on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help students build up their strength and endurance.

The Fitness Center also offers and hosts a variety of dance and aerobics workouts ranging from Pilates to Zumba, to hip-hop or other collective dance routines and even Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For students who enjoy exercising the body and mind, weekly yoga classes are also available.

“I enjoy Yoga and practice it as much as possible and try my best to fit it into my busy schedule, it is a wonderful mind and body excercise and I love doing it alongside my roommates and friends when we find the time,” first-year Hannah Hoogerwoerd said. “This campus is a perfect place for yoga, my favorite location is out on the bayfront during sunset, it doesn’t get better than that!”

Staying fit and healthy does not only rely on your physical and mental exercise, staying on track with a healthy diet during college can also be difficult, but it’s not impossible. The Hamilton “Ham” Center dining hall offers vegetarian, vegan and omnivore meals which fit into balanced and healthy eating.

It’s important to hit the gym as well as hitting the books as a college student. College can be stressful and can often consume you with schoolwork, so keeping a healthy mind and body is helpful to alleviate stress and keep a positive attitude. It’s a great way to grow as a human being, meet new friends and challenge yourself.

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