There are a couple of things exercise has to be: * Practiced on a regular basis (three to five days a week)* Executed using proper form and technique.
But there is one thing that exercise does not have to be:* BORING!
Contrary to popular belief, exercise does not have to be monotonous or dull to be effective. There are hundreds of ways to burn calories that don't involve gyms or treadmills. Fortunately, many of these activities are available to you right here at Tufts. Here are a few examples:
Dancing, anyone? So you think you can dance? Or maybe I should ask, do you know you can't dance, but wish you knew how? Either way, you are in luck. The Tufts Ballroom Dance Club and Team is open to skilled and unskilled dancers alike. Take a break from your books and burn some calories while learning to tango, waltz, samba, and cha-cha with your fellow Jumbos. Beginner lessons are offered once a week. Partners are not required. Check out their website, http://www.tufts.edu/as/stu-org/ballroom/ for more information.
*One hour of ballroom dancing burns approximately 400 calories.
Karate KidsDid you idolize the Karate Kid? You can be one too: join the Shotokan Karate Club (Shotokan is a traditional Japanese style of Karate). The club is part of the New England Collegiate Karate Conference (NECKC), which includes clubs from other local institutions including Boston University, Boston College, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Club members hold practices three times a week and participate in one NECKC tournament every year. Anyone interested is welcome to attend a class on Tuesday or Friday.Check out http://ase.tufts.edu/karate/ for more information.
*One hour of Karate burns approximately 900 calories
Up for an adventure?Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Join the Tufts Mountain Club (TMC) and experience the great outdoors in New England. The TMC organizes all kinds of adventures (both local and overnight) for their fellow Jumbos. Campus-based activities include weekly rock climbing and mountain biking trips. Overnight activities include apple picking outings, canoeing adventures, hiking excursions, and much more. These activities are based in and around the Loj, an old farmhouse in Woodstock, NH. This beautiful retreat destination is owned by Tufts University and is available to all members of the Tufts community. An initial membership fee of $15 is required for all new members. Want more information? Check out http://ase.tufts.edu/mountainclub.
*One hour of rock climbing burns approximately 720 calories*One hour of mountain biking burns approximately 765 calories*One hour of canoeing burns approximately 630 calories*One hour of hiking burns approximately 540 calories
Do yourself a favor - take a break from the gym and take advantage of the fun exercise opportunities available to you right here on campus.
For more information about these and other exercise opportunities at Tufts, visit http://www.tuftslife.com/campusguide/campusguide.php?ID=00021
*A weight of 150 pounds was used to determine the calories count estimates.
