How to stay active at Carolina beyond the gym

Six-photo collage: Students playing recreational football; a student riding his bike on campus; two students dancing together in the Pit; a student climbing up a rock-climbing wall; students doing a group activity at the UNC Outdoor Education Center Trails; students playing pool basketball.

The best form of exercise is the kind you enjoy and are likely to repeat. There are many ways you can be active around campus and plenty of options beyond going to a traditional gym.

Here’s how you can get moving at Carolina this semester.

Get out in nature

Did you know that the University owns 750 acres of woodlands? Carolina North Forest, located on the University’s North campus, has many trails and is a great place for hiking, biking and walking or running. Other options around campus include Battle Park Trails, North Carolina Botanical Garden Trails, UNC Outdoor Education Center Trails, Coker Pinetum Trails and Gimghoul Trails.

Take a dip in the pool

It’s too cold to swim outside right now, but that doesn’t have to prevent you from getting in the pool. Swimming is a great form of exercise because it has low impact on the joints and provides aerobic and muscular benefits. Bowman Gray Memorial Pool is open for walk-in use, and Campus Recreation also offers swim lessons. Once the weather warms up, take advantage of Kessing Outdoor Pool.

Walk/bike around campus

If you normally get around campus by bus or vehicle, consider mixing in a walk or bike ride if you’re able to. (Tar Heel Bikes are accessible around campus.) You’ll get the added benefit of physical fitness, and it can become part of your daily routine. Or, if you find yourself sitting around in between classes, consider a stroll around campus.

Join a club

Do you play pickleball? Practice judo? Carolina has many student clubs involving sports and fitness – even quidditch. Clubs focused on dance can get you moving as well. Group exercise comes with some extra benefits: You can make friends and hold yourself more accountable.

Explore the outdoors

Campus Recreation’s Carolina Adventures gives Tar Heels the opportunity to travel across the Triangle and state to check out some of North Carolina’s best outdoor gems. The group has a schedule of expeditions that includes everything from paddleboarding at Jordan Lake to hiking in Pilot Mountain and Stone Mountain and kayaking on the Black River.

Intramurals

If you want to be a part of a team environment and compete without the time commitment of a club sport, an intramural sport is for you. Run by Campus Recreation, intramurals offer the opportunity to play with friends and meet new people through sport. Registration is ongoing for basketball and volleyball, and you’ll be able to sign up for goal ball, soccer, pickleball, kickball and other sports later in the semester.

Climb at Carolina

Rock climbing is a great way to improve endurance and strength — and you can do it right here on campus. Campus Recreation has two climbing walls, one at Fetzer Hall and the other at Rams Head Recreation Center. Even if you’ve never climbed before, highly trained staff can keep you safe and help you learn the basics.