What does a typical week look like for a UVA student when it comes to working out and staying fit? Well, we’re here to tell you! Between UVA’s four gyms and athletic centers, sports fields and areas, and numerous places to walk and run, there are plenty of ways to stay active.
| Moving your body several days each week and having regular physical activity boosts your brain, your emotional health, and even your immune system. Many researches have proven the fact that exercise improves one’s mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Especially with stress being a normal part of everyday life, taking care of yourself and sticking to routines that work for you can help maintain balance in life. |
Monday: AFC Morning Workout/Group Exercise Class
I’m not a morning workout person, but if you are, the Aquatic and Fitness Center has so many options for you! There are a variety of Group Exercise classes available such as spin, yoga, pilates, zumba–you name it. These classes are free to try for the first two weeks of each semester, and then you can purchase a plan that allows you to go to an unlimited amount of classes. They start as early as 5 am and go through the late evening, so you can get a sweat at any time of the day! Plus, signing up for a group workout class is a great way to stay motivated and keep exercise in your daily college routine.
Tuesday: Local Workout Spots
Outside of UVA’s free workout classes and gyms, there are also a lot of local gyms or workout classes that students can attend. These local workout spots include a Tread Happy, Orange Theory, Zoom, Purvello, FlyDog, and Pure Barre. Additionally, a lot of these places offer student discounts or deals that make it more affordable. They will also do group discounts, I have been to a few cycling and barre classes with my sorority and it was such a fun way to bond and stay active!
Wednesday: Outdoor Adventure and Slaughter Recreation Center
Conveniently located near first year dorms, the newly renovated Slaughter Recreation Center boasts group exercise rooms, a 3 court gymnasium, 6 racquetball courts, a weight room, and a Climbing Center. Slaughter also houses the Outdoor Recreation department, which rents out gear to the UVA community like tents and other camping equipment, in addition to organizing special programming like guided hiking excursions or kayak roll lessons. Slaughter is a great place to pick up a new skill like bouldering or have some fun with friends after a full day of classes, and best of all, the facility is free to use as a UVA student!
Thursday: IM Rec Sports with Friends
Are you a passionate soccer player, but don’t want to join the Varsity or club team at UVA? Don’t worry - you can still play through Intramural (IM-Rec) sports! UVA has many facilities across grounds that are used for intramurals like beach volleyball, soccer, dodgeball, and everything in-between! As a first year student, I created a dodgeball team with my hall and we ended up coming in second place after a program-wide tournament! Many Greek Life or extracurricular organizations also make intramural teams in sports like flag football or basketball. Intramurals are a wonderful way to stay active while making some great memories with close friends.
Friday: Running or walking on the Rivanna Trail
The Rivanna is a beautiful trail that loops around Charlottesville for about 20 miles. It’s conveniently accessible from different points around Grounds, near the Law School, or even along Barracks Road, which means that you can run different sections of it depending on your mood or how far you’d like to go! My favorite section is a little bit off Grounds, but runs along the river and is really beautiful.
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