Why is exercise important?
The important components of exercise include cardiorespiratory fitness, resistance training, flexibility, and neuromotor training. Each of these presents different health benefits when you incorporate them into your everyday life.
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness – decreases risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and some forms of cancer
- Resistance Training – increases muscle mass, improves body composition (body fat % compared to muscle/lean tissue mass %), and increases bone density or slows bone density loss
- Flexibility – decreases the risk of some muscle and tendon injuries and improves joint range of motion
- Neuromotor Training – increases in balance, improves coordination and increases strength in the connection between your brain and muscles
On-campus exercise options.
Facility hours for Skoglund/Tostrud, including ice rink and pool hours.
Intramural information for on-campus teams organizing.
On-campus yoga and fitness classes
Looking for home workout options?
Home Fitness Page on St. Olaf Recreation website.
Fitness Blender – On Demand Workout Videos
Yoga On Demand (CorePower Yoga)
How should I prioritize exercising as a college student?
It is often difficult for people with busy schedules, like college students, to find time in their day or week for a consistent exercise program. However, the benefits of exercise come with even short bouts of exercise, such as boosting your mood, improving cognitive function, promoting a more regular sleep schedule, and helping to stabilize weight. It is important to realize that finding time to exercise is important for physical and mental wellness, which will benefit your other activities greatly over time.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (walking, swimming, yoga, etc.) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (running, dancing, etc.) a week, or some combination of both. These exercises should be spread over the course of the week.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends doing strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least twice a week. You should do a single set of each exercise, using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12-15 repetitions.
The more hours you sit each day, the higher risk of metabolic problems, even if you achieve the recommended about of physical activity. The American Heart Association recommends 10,000 steps a day or about five miles of walking.