It’s back to school week and time to get your schedule in order for the semester. You are already paying for your rec center, so take advantage of it! Most campuses offer plenty of intramural sports and activities that can provide a much-needed healthy influence in your life. Check out our list of the healthiest intramural college activities below!
Indoor Soccer
The most popular sport in the world, soccer is also the perfect activity for college students to take up in their freetime. Indoor soccer is more fast-paced than its outdoor counterpart, and can be played at any time of the year. Soccer players also see a 15% increase in their cardio performance and lowered body fat.
Volleyball
Spike! Volleyball is offered in just about every rec center in the country and college is the perfect time to get into this amazing sport. Whether you play in a gym or an a sand court, volleyball builds muscular strength since you are in a squat practically the whole game. A game also expends as much aerobic activity as if you had run a mile! Plus, if you learn volleyball in college, you can jump in a pick-up game for every beach vacation for the rest of your life!
Ultimate Frisbee
Nothing is more quintessentially college than tossing the frisbee around the quad on a sunny afternoon. But if you want to take your disc tossing from lackadaisical to cut-throat competitive then you should join an ultimate frisbee intramural team. Be prepared to jump, sprint, and dive as you try to score a TD. This rec sport is easy to pick up but difficult to master. Practice often and see huge gains in your endurance, agility, and dexterity.
Racquetball
Racquetball isn’t just for professors. It is a fun and fast paced game played on campuses across the country. Take on your roommate or challenge a rando at the courts, and get a full body workout in along the way. Racquetball utilizes nearly every muscle group and is a great calorie burner. You run about 2 miles in an hour of play, burning between 600 to 800 calories. Just be careful where you swing your racquet.
Basketball
One of the most popular games in the entire world, basketball is a great pick-up sport for intramural college athletes. Most college gyms divide the courts between rookie and advanced players, so you can always be going against people your skill level. Just about every college in the world also has rec basketball league. If you join, expect to be able to burn between 600 and 900 calories every time you step out on the court. Also expect to get stronger and more disciplined. So put on your Jordans and go ball!
Crew
It’s 5:30 A.M. and the sun has yet to rise. You slip on a sweatshirt in your school’s colors and make your way down to the docks. You meet your teammates in the boatyard and carry your slender vessel to the water. As the sun rises, the only sounds are chirping birds and rhythmic splash of your oars as you glide through the calm water. After an exhilarating full-body workout, you still have an hour to grab coffee and breakfast before 8 AM classes start. If your school has a rowing team, join it!
Taekwondo
So there’s a way to learn how to defend yourself, increase your athleticism, make friends, compete against rival schools, and you can do it all for cheap in your school’s rec center??? There are plenty of health benefits to learning martial arts. They increase your self-confidence and improve your cardiovascular health. Taekwondo is the right martial art to learn for most. It focuses on throws, kicks, and blocks. Martial arts classes are expensive later in life, so take advantage of steep discounts during your college years.
Rock Climbing
Want to go climbing without the risk of ending up like James Franco in 127 Hours? Chances are your university rec center has the solution. Indoor rock climbing gyms are at schools across the country. Take advantage of it! Rock climbing builds upper body strength (especially forearm!), strengthens the core, and lowers body mass. Plus, it will increase your concentration and decision making. Those skills will come in handy in the classroom.
Ballroom Dancing
Stop watching the stars dance and start moving yourself. Dancing makes you nimble on your feet and burns crazy calories. Learn how to ballroom dance, waltz, salsa, or tango at your rec. Most schools offer lessons for cheap. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and find potential dates. Also, you will be the star of any wedding or gala for years to come.
Spin Class
Pedal like a maniac to the backdrop of blaring music and a barking instructor! Soul Cycle classes run up to $30 bucks a session, but your rec center probably offers them for free. If you haven’t tried out this fun and challenging cardio experience, give it a try during  college. It is a low-impact workout, but can burn up to 1,000 calories.
