Amidst a return to in person classes and the hustle and bustle of campus, it is important to keep your physical health a top priority. Fortunately, the facilities of the Fit Centre and activities offered by USask Rec are great resources that will help students remain active. 

The Fit Centre is open on both weekdays and weekends, and is ideal if you already follow a workout routine and are hoping to get some sessions individually or with friends. With both cardio and weight machines available for use, the centre should fit many different programs. Sessions are limited to one hour, however, with a 50 person limit per time slot. Thus, it is best to book sessions ahead of time. 

Unsure of where to begin? The fitness classes offered by USask Rec act as a solid starting point. 

Those looking for full body athletic conditioning workouts will find the barre and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes to be best suited for those purposes. If cardio sessions sound more appealing, the spin and cardio kickboxing classes are best for increasing endurance. Classes such as the Power PAC’d and sculpt sessions are focused primarily on weight training, best for building lean muscle.

In addition to these intense workouts, gentle workouts focused more on meditation and relaxation of the body such as yoga are also available. Maintaining a low level of stress has been shown to positively affect academic performance, so a yoga session before or during exam season may be the key to achieving your best grades. Lastly, Zumba dance workouts function as a fun way to simultaneously get your groove on and work up a sweat. 

All of the aforementioned classes are available free of charge and can be registered for online. Additionally, if you’re currently unable to attend campus or are out of town for the semester, you can still sign up for virtual offerings where you are granted access to a pre-recorded video that can be used at your own convenience. 

Not all of us are Huskies athletes, but that shouldn’t stop us from still competing in our favourite sports. Intramural sports have returned this fall at the university, with many of the seasons already underway. All of the sports offered include competitive and recreational programs, with the competitive program designed for more experienced players looking for intense games and the recreational program designed for less experienced players looking for a fun, low-stakes experience. 

Some of the sports on offer this fall include basketball, touch football, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, ice hockey and dodgeball. 

Afraid you missed the deadline for intramurals? No need to fret, as campus is offering open recreation sessions for basketball and badminton. Similar to the Fit Centre workout sessions, these are time-limited sessions. 

In accordance with the provincial guidelines implemented on Sept. 17, all indoor and outdoor recreation activities require mandatory masking. Additionally, all students participating in USask Rec programming must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 48 hours. USask Rec is prioritizing patron safety, stating in a recent letter that compliance with the updated policies is key to ensuring a safe environment for their programs.

The myriad of recreational services offered on campus ensure that everyone can partake in an activity they enjoy, which is crucial when university stress and anxiety can wear us all down. 

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Uday Chhina | Sports and Health Editor 

Graphic: Jaymie Stachyruk