College can be a time of big changes for many students. Jessie Campbell, R.D., an on-call nutritionist at Rejuvenation Natural Health Center, said college students are hit by “new situations, new surroundings and overwhelming emotions.”
Still, Campbell urges students to remember that these feelings are normal and to find a healthy outlet for them. Regular exercise can be a great outlet. And keeping up (or starting) a regular exercise program is easy at the University with on-campus facilities and close-to-campus city resources.

Student Recreation Center
The Student Rec Center offers swimming, tennis, racquetball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, running, weightlifting and cardiovascular workout areas. And membership is included in student fees. For extra fees, students can meet with a personal trainer, have a complete fitness evaluation, use the rock climbing wall and take group exercise classes.
The Rec Center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays when school is in session. It is open during school breaks, but hours are limited. Schedule an orientation by calling 346-1171.
Graduate student Kerry Bannister regularly uses the swimming pool and the cardio machines. One of the drawbacks, Bannister said, is the limited availability of the one pool. The pool is used for most aquatic PE classes, so it is not available all hours. Bannister said it is impossible to swim from noon to 1 p.m. or 5 to 6 p.m., so try to swim in the midmorning or weekends. Fall term aquatics classes are scheduled for 9 to 10 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. most weekdays.
Another drawback for Bannister is a plus for other students. Most cardio and weight machines are on the first floor in front of large windows looking onto East 15th Avenue. Physical Activity and Recreation Services Director Dennis Munroe said these are very popular because of the great view, but Bannister usually uses the small number of cardio machines upstairs by the indoor running track. There is still a nice view and natural lighting, but not the feeling of being in a fishbowl.

PE classes
For students looking for more structure to their workout, the University offers many PE classes, from aqua aerobics and tae kwon do to yoga and kayaking. These one-credit classes sometimes carry extra fees. According to Munroe, yoga and pilates classes fill up fast, so interested students should sign up as soon as possible.

Off-campus spots
Eugene is full of places to ride a bike and walk.
The 11.5-mile Riverbank Trail System connects Autzen Stadium, Alton Baker Park, Skinner Butte and Valley River Center along the Willamette River. From Franklin Boulevard, begin on Walnut Street and take the Knickerbocker Path, or begin on the Millrace Path.
Students can also take a bus or drive to the Ridgeline Trail on Fox Hollow Road or the McKenzie River Trail east of Eugene. Call the Center for Appropriate Transport at 344-1197 or the City of Eugene at 682-5218 for bike maps and information.
Walkers can enjoy the Riverbank Trail, as well, or they can head up 19th Avenue and follow the signs to Hendricks Park. This 77-acre hilly park provides a relaxing and invigorating walking workout.

Fitting fitness in

Regular exercise sounds great, but it can sometimes be hard to fit it into a hectic student schedule. Exercise a little creativity to make it manageable.
* Sign up for a PE class. The one-credit course will fit nicely into class schedules, and enrolled students will feel pressure not to skip it. Jessie Campbell said she thinks PE classes are one of the best ways to make sure students “work [regular exercise] into your schedule.”
* Include activity in each day. Students will definitely be walking around campus to and from classes, but it’s even better exercise to walk or ride a bike to school. It is common for people to gain weight in college, but both Campbell and Kerry Bannister became healthier at college because of all the walking.
* Sign up for a Rec Center orientation to get familiar with all of it in advance of working out. Bannister said some areas are hard to find, and there are few signs in the center to help new students get around. During orientation, students can also find out when the drop-in aerobics classes are and what times the pool, tennis courts, and rock climbing wall are available so these can be worked into a busy schedule.
* Find a fitness buddy. Bannister walks with a buddy once a week, and she schedules workouts with her husband, who is also a student. Students are better motivated if they know someone else is counting on them to show up and work out.
* Make healthy food choices. Students may not be able to get the energy to work out if they haven’t fueled their bodies properly. The University has many food vendors that sell fruits and vegetables and quick, healthy meals. Check out the Holy Cow Cafe in the EMU and Andrew Smash in the Rec Center. Campbell also said it is OK to have a not-so-healthy snack every once in a while. There are “no rules” for a healthy diet, she said. Just practice moderation and try not to skip meals.