By Jorge Cantu
Horizon Reporter
Life in college is a sort of juggling act, where students try to balance jobs, family, friends, hobbies, and school. So how are students able to stay fit and healthy? And how do they manage their time to do this?
The gym at the Pavilion on campus is free, yet many students still join other gyms around Bellingham.
Kevin George, a 22-year-old student at Whatcom, manages to work out on a regular basis at a gym he pays monthly for. He goes to Bellingham Athletic Club about three to four times a week.
“I usually go in the mornings before class,” George said. “I find that it’s a great way to wake me up and get my day going.”
Elon Langston, also a Whatcom student, is on the basketball team for the upcoming season. He gets regular workouts by going to practice, but also goes to Bellingham Athletic Club. The gym is a regular thing for him. “I try to go at least four times a week, although it’s hard with school and work to find time,” he said.
Langston works at the Pavilion building on campus, where he monitors people going in and out of the gym. “I use the gym here only sometimes,” he said. “It is too small and usually too crowded to get a decent workout.George said there is a positive side to having the gym though. ” It’s good because it is free,” he said.
Krystal Kern works at the new All Time Fitness gym off Cordata street. As a personal trainer, she recommends that students work out three to five times a week, and for at least an hour at a time.
“The majority of people who attend our gym are Whatcom students,” she said. “It is very close to the college and open 24 hours a day.”
Kern said it is also essential to make working out a priority and to have some sort of fit schedule every week if wanting to achieve results.
Kern said it is also essential to make working out a priority and to have some sort of fit schedule every week if wanting to achieve results.
Alicia Alvarez, a 46 year old Whatcom student, has stuck to TaeBo and other various workout tapes to achieve results. “I make time for working out, I make it a priority like I would taking a shower,” she said. “It’s the only way I am able to stay fit and healthy.”Along with hitting the gym, another component of staying fit and healthy is simply eating healthy.
George noted that he makes up his meals at home a head of time, before going to school and work.
“I eat tons of sandwiches, basically trying to get my protein and vegetable intake for every day made sufficient,” he said. “But even if I don’t have a sandwich, there are tons of cheap healthy bars and snacks offered at almost any store and gas station.”
Alex Macleod, 21, is another student who is into eating healthy. “After gaining weight in high school, I made a decision to make working out a priority,” he said. “The only way I do not work out in the mornings is if I have a test to study for, but usually my homework is done the night before.”
Langston had a different view of eating healthy, though, “I eat whatever man,” he said. “I’m a college kid and don’t have mom cooking no more, so I eat whatever I get.”
Langston had a different view of eating healthy, though, “I eat whatever man,” he said. “I’m a college kid and don’t have mom cooking no more, so I eat whatever I get.”
Kern from All Time Fitness said that people tend to drink their calories. “Sugar is the one that really gets people!”Bryan Hargrove, a personal trainer who works at All Time Fitness, commented on some of the cheap healthy foods students can get. “Trader Joe’s doesn’t use any preservatives or additives in their foods, which tend to be pretty cheap. They also don’t use shelf life extenders, which tends to make the food cheaper,” he said. “Also, produce in season seems to be cheaper, and always a good source of nutrition.”
“Staying healthy can be tough,” George said, “But once you realize that your health should be as important a priority as anything else in life, then you find the time to make it a lifestyle.”
All gyms encourage you to call and set up a meeting.
Any Time Fitness (360) 306-5858
Student Price
$49.99/month with 24 hour gym use
$50 off 1 yr contract (which means $35.00/month)
$39.99 for key FOB
Bellingham Athletic Club (360) 676-1800Student Price
$129.11 for 3 months
Bellingham Fitness (360) 733-1600
Student Price
$29.99/month with no contracts
City Gym (360) 647-1511
Student Price (prepaid) $ 30.00/month
Gold’s Gym (360) 671-4653
Student Price
$39.99/month – A 12 month commitment
$59.99 Enrollment Fee
Pavilion At Whatcom Community College
Student Price
FREE with Student ID
