Exercise for the College Student

By Talia Charlton
Staff Writer

-There are so many health clubs and so little time to make a decision about which one is the right match. Let’s face it – gym memberships are expensive, and price is a very important deciding factor. With gyms such as New York Sports Club, Equinox, Synergy and Planet Fitness nearby, it is hard to make a decision about which gym to join. Access to a health club is becoming somewhat of a necessity for many college students looking to stay in shape, or ward off the curse of the Freshman 15. However, there is another option for students right on campus.

LIU Post students are able to stay in shape and partake in all of the exercise they like at the campus athletic facility: the Pratt Center. Pratt is equipped with many amenities students need to stay in shape. Within the Pratt Center are basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts, a jogging track and a large pool for students to swim in.

“I go to the Pratt Center everyday to work out,” said Gyu Jin Hwang, a junior Public Relations major at LIU Post. “I think the Pratt is great and clean and not too crowded. For students who may not have the means to sign up for a gym membership, or who aren’t able to get off of campus frequently, the Pratt Center is a free gym that LIU Post students can utilize during its operating hours.” The Pratt Center is open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.–midnight; Fridays 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

LIU Post students who would rather work out off of campus have an endless amount of opportunities when choosing a gym. How do students choose which health club to join, especially when membership rates tend to be very high? Nearby health facilities include: Life Time Athletic at 350 Robbins Ln, Syosset, Core Fitness Studios, Inc. 74 Cedar Swamp Rd., Glen Cove; and XSport Fitness at 630 Old Country Rd., Garden City.

For students who may not have the funds to sign up for a full-year membership, Life Time Fitness in Syosset allows members the opportunity to pay for their membership on a monthly basis. If new members are not satisfied with their experience, they are offered a 14-day money back guarantee. XSport Fitness gives members the opportunity to sign up at a low rate of $9.95 per month, instead of paying a yearly membership. Members are given a 30-day money back guarantee, and for every member they refer, they are provided with 20 XSport points per referral, as stated on xsportfitness.com. These reward points can be used, by members, to add complementary months to their memberships, or other products or services of their choice.

A student who prefers not to use health club facilities at all, may find that a home workout is something that can be just as effective as working out in a gym. “I really don’t work out at the Pratt Center, but I know many people that do,” said

Tina Lo, a senior Psychology major. “I always feel overwhelmed by the machinery and the people when
I go to the gym. I’d much rather work out at home, or take a jog outside.” Jogging along a track or the park, or working out to a fitness tape are some ways people choose to get in shape without being within the confines of a health facility.

As winter slowly approaches, students can partake in winter sports such as ice hockey or ice skating to stay in shape. Being conscious of healthy habits, such as eating right and exercising is important to many college students. On a daily basis, students are surrounded by foods and snacks, and sometimes it may become difficult to make healthful choices. With
a free, on-campus health facility, nearby health clubs, and many ways to simply work out at home, students are certainly capable of staying in shape during the school year.