By Gabby Rente
Lifestyle Editor
Getting back into a healthy routine can be tricky if you are transitioning into a new schedule, especially when your physical surroundings have drastically changed. To make matters worse, our schedules do not allow us to go to the gym like we want to, so here are some tips to make the most of a tiny space and still get in the exercise you need.
If you can’t get to the treadmill, then go where no treadmill can take you and move outside. I personally love running on the Wayne Gilchrest Trail, also known as the Rail Trail, that runs between the stadium and the athletic fields. The trail is 1.5 miles long and ends at Wilmer Park.
Take advantage of the warm weather while you can, and rent a kayak or paddleboard from the boathouse. All you need to do is take your swim test at the Casey Swim Center, which consists of swimming up and down a lane eight times and treading water for five minutes.
Once the weather cools down, exercising inside will be the desired option. If you have a roommate, then I recommend doing a series of movements that require little motion, but first, get yourself a yoga mat for cushioning. You can buy one online from Five Below for five dollars.
You can easily work on your core by doing a series of movements that won’t bother any roommate. Do reps of planks, crunches, and Russian twists on your yoga mat. For legs, do lunges, leg raises, and wall sits. For the wall sits, you can brace yourself against a wall or your dresser if wall space is limited.
Remember, don’t push yourself too hard by doing a high number of reps, especially if you haven’t exercised in a while. Start with repetitions of 20 or 25, then the following week raise it up to 30, and so on.
For your arms, push-ups are the obvious option, but if you want to use weights and do not have any, then you can always use another object as a substitution. I know friends who have gotten creative and tied their textbooks together to create makeshift weights. If you do not like this hack, then the Dollar General next to Women in Need off of Washington Ave sells weights for a decent bargain.
Above all, I truly recommend going to the Johnson Fitness Center if you are serious about your physical health. If the gym is intimidating for you —trust me, we have all been there— then find a friend who is willing to go the distance and help you reach your goals.