How do you stay active?

According to a recent health survey that was distributed to students on IU’s campus, many say that they exercise on their own time in places where they feel comfortable, rather than using the gym facilities that are available on campus.

The Indiana University Student Government worked collaboratively with the Health and Wellbeing Committee’s executive branch and Student Recreational Sports Association to produce a health survey to students on IU’s campus.

The SRSA expressed questions and concerns to IUSG on whether or not students are aware of the included fee to use gym facilities on campus, whether students know how beneficial rec centers are, and what prevents them from usage.

The survey asked 10 different questions about gym use, exercise time, physical insecurities, harassment that may occur at the gym, discomfort, bus routes, schedules, and gym stigmas.

Although the results won’t be fully analyzed until a few more weeks, IUSG secretary and leader of the Data Collection Project, Madeline Garcia, says that 377 students participated in the survey . After skimming over the results, she was able to discern some key take-away’s.

The survey results show that 98% of students are aware of the $78  student fee but decide against going to the gym for other reasons, such as self-confidence levels, mental health, insecurities, and not having the time to go due to their busy class schedules.

Aside from using rec centers on campus, students responded that they most often exercise outside, in much more casual ways, like playing catch, going on a jog or even just walking to and from classes to avoid going to the gym.

Garcia says that the survey’s main goal was to be able to find and measure the barriers between physical health and mental health, and as an end result, to be able to provide recommendations on how to help students feel better about being active.

IUSG believes that IU doesn’t provide enough help to students who need it and that physical health isn’t discussed as much as other topics and issues.

Indiana University senior, active gym-goer and bodybuilder, Djimon Gordon, says many things inspire him to work-out. He started at a young age and has stuck with a physically active lifestyle for 9 years.

Gordon says that regardless of the included student fee, that he would probably still attend the facilities located on campus due because they are close and convenient. He says that IU’s facilities being easily accessible has helped him become even more motivated than ever before.

Gordon says that being active helps him achieve the body image that he desires and relieves stress.

He says that being physically active helps promote mental health and that it would be tough for him to get through the day without his daily workouts and training sessions.

Gordon’s advice to others who want to be active but are too afraid,  insecure, or who struggle with mental health issues is just keep pushing and to seek help.

IUSG is still working on recommendations for the SRSA, but Garcia believes that from looking at the data, that the conversations about physical health and mental health need to be tasked by the university.

To learn more about IUSG, you can visit their website.