University could possibly be the most exciting time of your life, what’s with the sudden freedom generously gifted to you and the many opportunities waiting for you at every turn. But you know the struggle of trying (key word is trying) to squeeze exercise into your already-filled-to-the-brim schedule, especially if you live on campus. Between late-night suppers (or really just another nickname for carbo-loading) and sugary perk-me-ups that comprise exclusively of coffee and Redbull, campus life can be full of unhealthy temptations. Having said that, we’re here to debunk the myth that it’s impossible to stay fit while on campus… because you definitely can, with the help of our 6 easy tips below!
1) Make full use of our awesome fitness resources
(1: Utown gym, 2: Utown swimming pool, 3: SRC Gym, 4: PGPR gym)
(Photo credit: Sekolah SG, Dan Gibbons, PGPR Website)
If you haven’t been to one of NUS’s gyms, you’re missing out big time! NUS has two extremely well-equipped gyms at Utown and Sports & Recreation Center (completely free!) with machines that cater to all your fitness needs, be it hardcore lifting to build more muscles or just more straightforward cardio activities. However, they can get pretty crowded at peak hours (during week day afternoons and evenings) so staying on campus gives you the added advantage of going during the weekends to avoid the crowd! PGPR does have their own gym but residents need to pay a small fee of around $15/semester. If swimming’s more your cup of tea, UTown’s swimming pool is for you to leverage on. One little tip from us is to establish a plan of what you want to achieve at the gym e.g I must cycle 2.4 km today or reach that goal of lifting 70kg and more. This gives you a goal to work towards to and also a sense of accomplishment when you achieve it. But be realistic – don’t over-exert yourself or you’ll risk losing more than just calories!
2) Join fitness-related events or CCAs
You must be living under a rock if you haven’t noticed all the fitness-related events available on campus. For people living in hall, you will be spoiled for choice, what with the many sports CCAs that welcome you with open arms, no matter your skill level. This is a good way to shed off those extra KGs, while trying out a new sport or brushing up on your rusty motor skills. Meanwhile, residents can always pop by 100MIN fitness events like the upcoming Zumba sessions and Body Sculpting classes (more details can be found on posters around PGPR or 100MIN Facebook page). Or you can just sign up straight at 100min.tumblr.com! Not only will you be able to lessen the guilt of sinful suppers, this is also a great chance to meet like-minded fellow residents and make new friends!
3) Make it a fitness party!
If you think you’re alone in this fitness struggle, you really are not! Chances are most of your friends in halls and residences are fighting the same battle! So what are you waiting for, pop the question and grab a few of your friends to join this fitness party. All the great sport facilities in NUS (basketball/tennis/badminton courts) are open to all NUS students but just make sure you book in advance through the online booking system as these places are in pretty high demand. Even if that plan falls through, the running tracks are always available for you to squeeze in a quick run or if you fancy a more challenging route, the (slightly crazy) hills and slopes around campus guarantee a satisfying work-out too.
4) Your room is your personal gym
(Photo credit: Nextgenkid website)
Do you ever feel the urge to plunge into exercise to take your mind of the stressful pile of work at the odd hour of 3am when all the gyms and sports facilities are closed? Fret not! Get creative with what you have and create impromptu fitness tools like filled water bottles to replace weights or using your chair as a support to do dips (check out this video here to get a sense of how to do it)and get a solid work out. Better still, who needs the gym when there’s the bedroom floor and your own body weight. Check out this article Here for more tips on how to do 50 bodyweight exercises that help you get in shape and require absolutely 0 tool (but maybe some determination and commitment, just saying)
5) All the little steps count
An easier (and less daunting) way to look at fitness is that you don’t necessarily have to slave for hours and hours at the gym every day to keep fit. Rather, you just have to make conscious choices to not be tempted down the easy way and opt for ones that require a bit more work. To start, walk, walk and walk! It’s actually a lot faster to walk from UTown or Science to Central Library compared to waiting for the bus and squeezing with 1234567 people. Not to mention, all the calories burned get accumulated to a pretty substantial amount as well. And if you can, choose the stairs over lifts if your destination is just 1 or 2 storeys away.
6) Spice things up with a change in environment
(Source: National Parks website)
If working out on campus is starting to get a bit repetitive for you, seek a change of environment at the nearby Kent Ridge Park! Catch bus 200 from Kent Ridge Terminal (behind Temasek and Eusoff halls) and alight at Opposite National Leadership Institute. In less than 20mins, you will be transported to a whole new world with zero buildings and just green and more green as far as the eyes can see. Kent Ridge Park has the highest number of exercise sets among other parks and you can choose from 20 fitness stations to warm up before going for a jog or run around the beautiful space (with the beautiful nature sounds of various birds and cicadas). While you’re at it, get a bonus history lesson! Kent Ridge Park is a great place for us to learn about Singapore’s history and heritage as it is a historical park where one of the last battles for Singapore was fought during World War II.
So that’s our list of tips to help you remain fit and healthy during your stay on campus. Do you have any other tips that you would like to share? Comment away!
