Exercise provides a healthy way to relieve stress and offers students various health benefits. But some students don't feel like they have time to work out.
While some students hit the weight room regularly, some go infrequently, and feel that this provides the same benefits as constant lifting and is less taxing on a their schedules.
Richard Cheng, a law school graduate student, said that he doesn't spend much time at the gym.
'I only weight lift occasionally, usually a couple times a month. My workload makes me have bigger things to worry about,' Cheng said. 'I do it for the health benefits and for my own general wellbeing.'
UB has several fitness rooms, located in the dorms, Alumni Arena and Clark Hall.
A number of personal trainers are available in each location. The staff can answer students' fitness questions. The trainers accept several payment methods, including Campus Cash.
Sany Chavan, a personal fitness trainer at Alumni Arena, said that weightlifting has many benefits.
'Weightlifting is great. It helps strength training, builds endurance and muscle, and helps burn fat,' Chavan said. 'I've been working here for six months and have encountered many students who come regularly and stick to their diet and workout schedule. I've seen them gain their results and love it.'
Weightlifting on a regular basis, even once or twice a week, can help keep the average person in shape. This, mixed with a healthy diet, can lead to satisfactory results.
Katie Stanton, a senior human services major, frequently exercises at the gym.
'If you want to do it, go for it. It's great for bulking yourself up and not at all a bad thing,' Stanton said. 'I know people who go all the time.'
Despite the positive benefits that weightlifting offers its participants, pumping iron is not for everyone. While some students practically live at the gym, others favor different athletic outlets.
Okoa Kinsey, a junior environmental design major, prefers activities outside of the gym.
'Certain sports require explosive movements, and weightlifting can litigate those explosive movements,' Kinsey said.
Working weightlifting and exercise into any schedule can be advantageous to students' health now and in later years.
The exercise and weightlifting centers in Alumni Arena and the dorms are free to all UB students and have varying hours. For more information, visit www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu.
E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
