When I think about student life, fitness is not something that initially pops to mind. Usually student life is associated with mediocre burgers, bad mall Chinese at Kingsway and cup after cup of “Jet-Fuel” coffee from the Common Market. I hope I am not alone. There is hope, however, for myself and others like me.
This week wrapped up NAITSA’s Fitness challenge. Students who enrolled took part in a two-week challenge. They began by setting personal goals. These weren’t lofty goals to get jacked like Schwarzenegger or toned like Shakira but a more reasoned approach to fitness and well-rounded health. Michelle Goulet, one of NAITSA’s event coordinators and athletes, guided them.
The wrap-up challenge consisted of a mini-triathlon. Having recently completed the Iron Man herself, Michelle was wellversed in training and conditioning. Participants began in the NAIT pool, racing lap after lap against one another. After a quick dry, they moved onto a spin session, where they completed four intervals of different intensity on spin-bikes. Then, they hurried through the rounded stairwell and began the run, lapping the ice rink five times.
There was no winner and no one was crowned reigning champ of fitness. However, what did come out of the challenge was friendship and camaraderie. One participant in the challenge even started a Fitness Club. Yes, that is the current working name, yet to be finalized but it’s a start.
So, if you are looking to get in shape, there are a variety of sports and activities to get into at any given time and now there is one more. There’s swimming, wall climbing, the gym, the basketball court and the ice rink. With great hours and friendly staff, there is plenty to choose from. Did you know there are even ping-pong tables?
Like a great man once said, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” It is important that while we, as students, nurture our minds, we do not ignore our bodies. But who am I kidding, exam season is coming and like comedian Mike Birbigilia said, “I love pizza. I want to marry it but it would just be to eat her family at the wedding.”
So, maybe we just need a little balance. Just remember to keep fit and have fun amidst the long hours of study.
Joel Benitez
