Thomas Jefferson famously said, "A strong body makes the mind strong." Centuries later, University students still seem to adhere loyally to this mantra. Day after day, runners make their usual rounds across Grounds, giving many a passersby the feeling that there is a strong culture of fitness here. One question remains, however: Just what is it that makes students seem so obsessed with staying in shape?
It is true that there are not many obstacles to this goal, as the University has both excellent exercise facilities and a large selection of club and intramural sports. The four gymnasiums provide pools, yoga rooms, indoor tracks and a wide selection of weights and exercise machines. And students' choices do not end there, as they can make use of tennis courts, basketball courts and the 23 acres of playing fields at the Park in the North Grounds area.
They definitely seem to take notice, too. The exercise facilities' usage typically peaks during the coldest five to 10 days of winter, with about 5,000 people using them per day. On average, though, that figure hovers around 3,500 users, 2,000 of whom are at the Aquatic & Fitness Center. Overall, about 50 percent of patrons use the Aquatic & Fitness Center, and the rest divide themselves about equally between North Grounds Recreation Center, Memorial Gymnasium and Slaughter Recreation Center, said Ed Rivers, associate athletics director for intramurals.
And the facilities offer more than just spaces to work out. The AFC, for example, hosts a variety of classes, which generally are well-attended, with cycling classes in particular being full most of the time, said Kelly Bernier, assistant director of fitness programs. She added that Zumba and Pilates are two of the most popular offerings. Most of the participants are female, but male students appear to be showing more interest in the programs.
"Guys are starting to see how the core exercises in Pilates and Yoga can translate and be useful in the weight rooms," Bernier said.
Such a change in interests hints at just how diverse the University's culture of fitness can be. This diversity is just one thing that shines forth in the University's selection of club and intramural sports. From flag football and indoor soccer to ultimate frisbee and innertube water polo, more than 20 different sports cater to students' athletic whims. These club sports give students more opportunities to stay in shape or partake in their favorite activities.
"With so many runners here, it is surprising that this team didn't exist until a couple years ago," said third-year College student Taylor Irvin, president of the club cross country team. "It provides a perfect avenue for those who want to keep in shape and maybe even compete."
Still, top-of-the-line fitness centers and a plethora of options cannot be the only reasons why students choose to exercise. Many colleges have such facilities; not all of them, however, share the University student body's seeming obsession with fitness. Something bigger has to be driving the craze.
Some students conjectured that the University's location, a relatively safe area with an extensive network of wooded jogging trails and mild weather, is behind the phenomenon.
"Some cities are known as 'walkable' cities; I think Charlottesville is a very 'runnable' city," said fourth-year College student Rebekah Berlin, an avid runner who has worked at the Ragged Mountain Running Shop. "Grounds, the Downtown Mall and trails [are] all within running distance. The weather also plays a part. At the store, more students come in around March or April when it gets warm outside."
When the weather is warmer, fitness fits into the typical college life well, as exercise can be a social event. One often sees friends playing Frisbee, going to the gym or taking walks together. Intramural and club sports similarly combine fitness and socializing.
"I would still exercise without club sports, but I do it as a way to meet new friends," said fourth-year Nursing student Laura Pishko, a member of the club field hockey team.
Students may enjoy meeting new faces in these activities, but it is often their existing connections that draw them into the sports.
"We get a lot of people bringing friends out to join the team," said. "We had one member run a race on Grounds, and he met a bunch of people there who he convinced to come out to our practices."
In fact, the team recently elected a recruitment chair to help continue its expansion, he said. The chair draws upon students' existing interests in running, stopping them as they make their way across Grounds to tell them about the team.
It is not only for its social benefits that University students partake in exercise, though, as it also has long-term health benefits. After all, most students can appreciate that exercise is a way to relieve stress. More specifically, exercise lowers anxiety and boosts self-worth, according to the American Council on Exercise.
"I always see people running at 2 a.m.," Berlin said. "It is kind of crazy, but I know it's because they are probably stressed out from studying and need the release."
And apart from these benefits to the individual, exercise often allows students to reach out into the community. Various University organizations use exercise
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