Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa
Working out can improve classwork, expert says.
By Eddie Chozet
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Successful students make it a habit to exercise their bodies as well as their brains, said Chris Dillon, Alamo Colleges district wellness coordinator.
“I always tell people exercising is like brushing your teeth; you’ve got to do it every day. People have time for social media. Instead of spending all that time on Facebook, use that time to go walk.”
Making time for exercising can actually help get you an A in class, Dillon said.
“Research shows that fitness improves the quality of life,” Dillon said. “It gets your grades up and can pay the bills (by energizing students for their jobs). It’s a natural medicine, and exercising is always free.”
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends exercising 30 minutes most days of the week — “whether that’s cardio, whether that’s swimming or just walking your dog,” he said.
Business sophomore Miranda Rodriguez, who works as a part-time fitness trainer, said staying fit is a big commitment.
“What most people don’t understand about wanting to lose weight, is that it is a lifestyle, a change for the better,” she said. “I’m determined to exceed my own goals and push myself to the absolute limit.”
Loftin Student Center has a fitness center for students open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The kinesiology department’s conditioning room is open 3-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Gymnasium 2 is open 2-4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 3-4:15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and the swimming pool is open 1-3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 2-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Tennis courts are open all day.
Another option is intramural sports on campus.
Students also can register for a kinesiology course or pursue student discounts at local gyms.
The YMCA and Gold’s Gym offer a 10 percent student discount, Dillon said.
For more information,visit www.alamo.edu/sac/kinesiology/.
