3 Ways to Exercise Without Hitting the Gym | CollegeXpress
Three Asian females of different body types walking outside for their health

3 Easy Ways to Exercise in College (Without Hitting the Gym!)

Feel like exercising but don't have the time or patience to go to the campus gym? Here are three great ideas to help you get moving.

Don’t have time to hit your school's fitness center but feeling the need to work out? Or maybe you feel uncomfortable with the gym atmosphere and would like to exercise in an alternative manner. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few easy ways to get your daily dose of exercise without visiting the campus gym.

1. Take a walk

Incredibly basic, we know—but seriously, walking is an underrated form of fitness, and it's so easy to do! According to the American Heart Association, walking does a slew of good things for your health. It can improve your blood pressure, reduce the risk of cancer, decrease the chance of heart disease, and even boost your mental health—not to mention, it burns a few calories and helps maintain your weight. This exercise is perfect for spring, so lace up your tennis shoes and take a walk around campus—you’ll find it refreshing.

2. Watch YouTube

Yeah, you read that right. Surf YouTube for workout videos that are simple to emulate in your dorm room! We recommend Body Talk Daily Videos for quick exercises—they’re great if you have a big load of homework waiting for you on your desk. If you’re looking for something a bit more extensive, try videos that are tailored for dorm living. You could even round up your roommates and have a little fun following a dance class video together! 

3. Ride your bike

Biking is the perfect exercise for students living in a college town. Ride your bike to class, ride your bike to the store, ride your bike to your friend’s apartment. The health benefits are plentiful! If you ride a bicycle on a regular basis, you’ll improve your cardiovascular fitness, reduce stress, improve your posture, and strengthen your muscles. Bonus: If you have a car, this will save you gas money.

Related: 6 Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle in College

Hitting the gym for a few hours isn’t the only method for exercising in college. There are alternative ways to work out that are just as advantageous to your well-being. These three easy modes of exercise will leave you feeling healthy and happy!

Live your best life in college by reading more articles and advice on health and wellness.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Ashley McDonald

Ashley McDonald is a freelance writer and blogger for CollegeXpress, Her Campus, HuffPost, and more. She studied Journalism and English at Central Michigan University.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA


Caitlin Eaton

Caitlin Eaton

$10,000 Scholarship Winner, 2021

I first discovered CollegeXpress during my sophomore year of high school while researching colleges that interested me. My SAT prep class the following year further familiarized me with the opportunities available through the organization. CX has personally helped me by exposing me to a diverse selection of schools as well as scholarships and life tips that have provided valuable guidance in my college search.

This scholarship will help me adjust to college life without worrying as much about tuition. This gives me more room to truly explore and benefit from all aspects of higher education. I plan to study Conservation Biology and work protecting species/ecosystems. I’m looking forward to getting field experience and seeing firsthand the problems research is solving.

Kyla McClain

Kyla McClain

High School Class of 2024

I found CollegeXpress when you partnered with Bold.org for a scholarship. I found your website, put my information in, and got connected. I only wanted to stay in North Carolina [for college] and not move far from home, but you all opened a door up for me. I started researching colleges you suggested for me. On your social media platforms, you also give really good test-taking tips that I used and suggested others to do the same. It helped me a lot on my exams, so thank you.

Joan Franklin

Joan Franklin

Counselor

I love this website and have been using it for years with my students. I originally bought products through Wintergreen Orchard House and appreciated having key facts at my fingertips when advising students. Your site is easy to access and offers a wide array of topics I need as a busy college counselor.

Daniel Ogunlokun

Daniel Ogunlokun

High School Class of 2022

When I started looking at colleges in the beginning of my senior year, I was conflicted about which ones I wanted to attend based on safety, tuition costs, location, academic rigor, and prestige. Searching the internet and getting more questions than answers, I came across CollegeXpress, which made all the steps I had taken look like a minor issue. Everything was summarized and detailed, and I couldn't be more thankful and appreciative.

Anthony Vidal

Anthony Vidal

High School Class of 2023

CollegeXpress has helped me in a series of different ways when it comes to finding scholarships and learning information about different universities. I actually found my dream university through CollegeXpress and am working on getting there.