With midterms slowly coming up, having physical activity can be a great way to evacuate stress, as it releases endorphins which helps to reduce the feeling of anxiety, depression and stress. Exercising is good for your health and it is simply fun. In fact, according to the CDC, “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.”

Having physical activity is also good for other aspects of your health. According to Healthline, “Exercise can help with relaxation and sleep quality” and “help your brain health and memory.” As students, those details can make a difference in the learning process and help to have better grades.

It can also make a difference in students’ future because “exercise can reduce your risk of chronic disease,”  according to Healthline. Every student going to college and universities are concerned about their future so it is important to take personal health into consideration.

Economics major Arlene Marmolejo is relatively new to the process of working out as she stated, “I began working out on a daily basis during the early stages of the pandemic because after staying home all day, I had zero activity which impacted my energy levels. As gyms began to re-open, I got a membership and started training with a trainer. I learned so much from my trainer and also gained the confidence to choose my workout and just started having fun with it.”

That is not the only benefit Marmolejo got from the gym. “By showing up to the gym for my exercise I have met some amazing people at the gym that I now become friends with. I love to start my day with a workout, it gives me the pump to start my day!” Marmolejo is originally from Sacramento and she related that post pandemic, as classes where on zoom, the gym helped her make friends in the area which is another benefit of showing up regularly aside from physical health.

Psychology major Zoe Scheurenberg said that exercising also makes a difference in her life. “I like to be active and keep up my workout routine to start my day. Starting my day with physical activity helps me to start my day right and be able to stay focused in school and on my school work.”

Having physical activity motivates Scheurenberg to stay healthy and happy. “I feel so much better, I can focus better, I sleep better and it makes me have better grades. Working out changed a lot in my life and I wanna keep these gifts,” she said.

Luckily for the students of Sonoma State, the Recreation Center is a great place to move their body. It is free for students and $5 a day for non-students.

Carlos Calito, communication major says “I think the rec is super beneficial for a lot of students. It helps save on a gym membership so I think all students really value the space.” There are a lot of options such as group fitness, affordable personal training, aquatic, indoor track and cardio equipment. One of the features that makes our center unique is the climbing wall. Luckily for students it is free and welcome to all levels. However, clinics are not and require a $15 fee.

Calito uses the wall at least 3 times a week and says “benefits from climbing the wall include better focus, critical thinking, creative thinking and body/mind balance. It has helped me improve my mental health”.

Whoever is interested in climbing should check out the “Sonoma Senders”, at the Rec center on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. According to Calito it is a “welcoming and accepting space for all climbers” and ideal “to reach new heights physically and mentally.”