As reported by United Health Foundation in 2012 we are the only state with a population of which under 20 percent are obese.
Even though Men’s Fitness did not place Colorado State in the top twenty-five fittest schools, Colorado students say otherwise.
Colorado State students find their lifestyles to be healthy, partially due to the opportunities CSU provides.
“Colorado State is very healthy, I feel, because everyone is walking or riding their bikes to class. I also see a lot of students utilizing the gym and intramural fields,” said Shelby Brier, a biology major.
Every day 4,500 students swipe in at the recreation center according to Brittany Heiring White, Communications Manager for Campus Recreation.
“Sept. 17, there were 4,043 and on the 18th there were 3,701. The average swipes per week is around 20,000,” White said.
One student after the other agreed about CSU being a healthy campus.
“I feel like we have a healthy school compared to others. I see the opportunities for people to live healthier lifestyles all over the place whether it’s food options or outdoor clubs or IM sports — kids have choices,” said Sarah Wontrobski, an undeclared freshman.
The residence halls have signs in them offering healthier options and ideas for students to help advocate for better health. However, there is an abundance of food offered and it comes down to the individual choices students make.
Brier, a freshman, has had some difficulty adjusting to dorm life in order to stay healthy.
“Sleep is very important to stay healthy as well as eating right,” Brier said. “In the dorms both of these are a lot more difficult, but I am slowly getting adjusted.”
According to Wontrobski, there are many options in the residence halls and you can make healthy choices if you decide to have a balanced meal.
On a larger scale, Health magazine published the results from United Health Foundation, sliding Colorado into the 11th state nationally, as far as health and fitness are concerned.
We fell into 11th based on how Coloradoans lead their lives in a health oriented manner.
Collectively, we had the lowest rate of obesity and diabetes compared to the rest of the states.
The fairly new Recreation Center is the hub for fitness at Colorado State and offers many programs for students to strive to stay healthy. Students can participate in many activities, ranging from intramural (IM) sports, classes like Zumba and yoga, using the training machines as well as the courts and indoor track — all offered at the Recreation Center.
“We have about 3,600 unique participants in IM activities in the fall. Most students who do one IM also participate in another, so the number of participants (not unique) hits around 20,000 for the fall,” White said.
Group fitness classes have the largest participation rate. Every week they average approximately 935 unique individuals, accounting for nearly 16,000 non-unique in any given semester, according to White.
“I go about four times a week,” Brier said. “The Rec Center has all the resources needed to workout. It is a way to escape the dorm.”
On top of the opportunities offered on campus student take full advantage of the outdoor activities Colorado has to offer. Conner Timms, psychology major, said he likes to ride his bike everyday for fun.
“My fitness is very important to me,” Timms said.
Timms also uses the Recreation Center several times a week to lift and climb.
Students can use the Recreation Center as a place to relax as well, with things like the hot tub, sauna, steam-room and pool.
Wontrobski plays soccer but said she also uses the Recreation Center to relax.
“I love the Rec Center; I wish I could use it more often than I do … I go once or twice a week for the hot tub,” Wontrobski said.
In comparison, University of Northern Colorado sees a lot less students on average daily at their Recreation Center. Their daily amount rounds to about 1,500 students. However, their turnout for IM sports was approximately 4,595 unique students last year.
UNC is a very active campus, according to Scott Schuttenberg, University of Northern Colorado Director of Campus.
“I think we are pretty typical; we have some die hard athletes, and some not. We have expanded our outdoor pursuits and shared bike program, which have had great turnouts,” Schuttenberg said.
UNC Bike-Share Program allows students to rent bikes and ride on campus. They have seen a large outcome of student exercising this option. UNC has also had a great turnout for their outdoor trips that offer free equipment check out for activities such as white water rafting, rock climbing and skiing.
Campus to campus, making healthy choices is a lifestyle that can be chosen and there are many opportunities on campus to help enhance and guide a healthier lifestyle.
Collegian reporter Josephine Bush can be reached at news@collegian.com[1]
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