Why Students Need Fitness
The gym can be a good outlet during hard or stressful times. Source: Supplied / Jesse L.
Like with social intelligence and communication, physical fitness and its’ effects differ between individuals, and end up being the livelihoods of people like athletes, bodybuilders and trainers. But, let’s be clear – fitness is for everyone.
We are drawn to including physical fitness in our lives for a range of reasons, from wanting to improve overall wellbeing and achieving goals, to feeling better after a workout, even the social aspect of meeting others who are likeminded.
Engaging in fitness can be as much a social endeavour as it is a personal one, and be truly impactful to those who are seeking balance during their day.
“Fitness and movement are a really significant part of my life. If I spend a particularly long day sitting or don’t get enough movement at once, I find it really hurts my wellbeing. I get sore and tired, and just need to move my body as a change of pace in-between studying,” said a frequenter of the UC Rec & Sports Centre.
“I think exercise, especially as a student, is one of the most important things a person can do. It needs to become like a life function, like sleeping or eating.”
Creating healthy habits is key. Source: Supplied / Jesse L.
As university students juggling degrees, work and social lives, exercising might not always feel like a much-needed escape, and more like an extra task that requires too much energy.
But according to True Fitness online, fitness increases blood flow to the brain which expands creative thinking, concentration and memory, which is helpful for those who want to maximise not only their physical, but academic performance too.
“I believe a huge benefit of regular activity and exercise is the hormonal response we get from it. Since many students find studying quite stressful, they might opt for other dopamine spikes using substances that often result in negative long-term effects. Whereas, you can experience the same effect from exercise and it is benefiting you in the mental and physical state,” said Jesse, a certified personal trainer.
Jesse, who moved to Aotearoa New Zealand when she was younger, found staying active has helped her occupy her time in a healthier way, make friends and boost her confidence inside the gym, and outside of it.
However, it can be hard to navigate fitness, especially with the onslaught of information online, including the ‘what to do’s’ and ‘what not to do’s’ as a result of trainers, influencers, and everyday people sharing their input and individual experiences.
“I think it has become very easy to be misled by things we see on social media and often taking advice from people online that aren’t qualified, which can lead to us not seeing the results we want,” Jesse said.
It’s a great feeling to be supported on your fitness journey. Source: Supplied / Jesse L.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to navigate this.
Having self-awareness and an understanding of your own body can aid in being able to achieve personal goals that work for you, and not being swayed by gimmicks.
“My best advice would be to set small, achievable and realistic goals that can easily be worked into your schedule. We lead very busy lives and it can be difficult to stay consistent… I find it helps taking it one day at a time, and finding ways to create healthy habits, instead of short term goals,” Jesse said.
Just getting started appears to be a piece of advice given consistently. Making the first step towards an active lifestyle by attending a workout class, getting involved with a sport or just going for a nice, short stroll outside is all that’s required.
It’s also important to recognise no one is really paying as much attention to you as you are. So work on yourself in whatever way feels right. Eat enough to keep you strong and nourished throughout the day, and rest whenever you need.
The process to achieve your goals is different for everyone. Source: Supplied / Jesse L.
When it comes to strength training, understanding form with weights is crucial, not only to ensure you’re getting the most out of your exercises, but to stay safe. Injury is a possibility if you’re not careful with technique and excessive lifting. Ask for help, assistance or a spotter if you need it. Keeping fit for you might also be as simple as setting a daily step goal, whether it’s 5k, 15k, or 50k.
Remember to stay consistent. Source: Supplied / Jesse L.
We’re all different. We have everchanging wants for our health and appearance, and will find ways to reach those goals if we so desire. It’s all about recognising that training your body, alongside training your brain, will take you far.