The Martlet

If you’re a regular gym and weight room user, you know that it’s packed for the first few weeks after New Year’s — until people slowly begin to abandon ship on the whole “getting in shape” idea.

The gym isn’t for everyone, though, and it also doesn’t have to be your only exercise option. Here are some other solutions.

Drop-in fitness classes

Many people aren’t aware of the fitness classes that are held weekly at McKinnon Gym. There are a wide variety of classes: core conditioning, stepography, cardio kickboxing and all-in-one classes such as “Total Exhaust.” Dates and times for these classes can be found on the Vikes Recreation website; all you have to do is show up, pay your five bucks (well worth the cost) and make sure that you are on time. These classes are great for anyone, at any fitness level — and in most cases, you can bet you’ll be sore the next day.

The no-rules alternative

I must admit that I was never into the idea of doing a workout video at home, mainly because I didn’t think they would make me break a sweat. I have never been so wrong. You can find cheap workout videos anywhere, and there is everything from pilates, yoga and meditation to cardio, weight/resistance training and dance. The better ones cost about $10, and usually all you need is a mat of some sort, or even just a towel.

On the pricier side, there is the “P90X Program.” It’s around $130, but comes with 12 disks of every kind of workout. Some of the workouts include: yoga (an hour and 40-minute disk), cardio and workouts that target specific areas of your body. You are supposed to do it for 90 days — but there are three kinds of programs, which means there is potential for 270 days of pure exercise beauty. Yes, it is expensive, but my roommates and I have been doing it for the last two weeks, and let’s just say that it hurts to get out of bed. Thumbs up.

These are just some of the options out there, and it won’t take long before you figure out which ones are the most suitable for your goals. They are perfect for rainy days when you can’t bring yourself to make the trek to the gym, and most of them can even be done in dorm rooms (unless you live in the concrete jungle or Ring Road — then it might be tricky). Another perk of workout videos is that you can press the pause button and take a break or answer your phone if you need to. They create a relaxed environment, and therefore, often a happier workout. An extra bonus: for all of you who don’t agree with the Ian Stewart clothing rules, you can do these workouts naked if you want.

Free fitness

Ian Stewart offers spin classes throughout the week and, yes, they are free. However, you do need to get there about an hour before the class starts as it fills up quickly. The schedule is posted online and outside the weight room.

Many of the yoga studios in Victoria periodically hold free classes (look for flyers around town).

Do you like running at night? Centennial Stadium’s track is open late, so go do a few laps because it is often unoccupied except for a few other fellow runners.

Use your environment. Go for a hike up Mount Douglas or Mount Tolmie, or take a bus out to James Bay/Beacon Hill Park and walk along the ocean, or climb along the rocks below. All are fairly close to the campus, and it’s a nice change to your usual treadmill routine. Plus, you can catch up with a friend at the same time!

Swimming at McKinnon is free. Enough said.

Sign out a volleyball, basketball, or soccer ball at Ian Stewart and head to the gymnasium, field house, or even squash courts. Depending on how busy the facility is, or if there are intramurals going on, you can get a few friends together for a game.

Go dancing — sober, for a change. Some clubs, such as Sugar, have student nights where you don’t have to pay cover. Dancing is a great workout and, without those empty alcohol calories, you’ll be doing your body some good. Of course, some people will not be into this idea, which is perfectly fine. If you get wasted and go dancing, it’s still better than getting wasted and vegging out on the couch.

Try something new

Have you been wanting to try a new sport or activity? Intramural and club teams are a great way to ease into something new, and it may not be too late to get into some of them.

Haven’t been skating since you were ten? There are recreation centres and arenas all over Victoria — just Google it and you’ll get a bunch or results, along with prices and times.

So, now that you have no more excuses not to exercise, get out and try some of these ideas. Mix and match, see what works best, and soon you will have your own specialized exercise plan.