The next few years at VIU are probably going to be filled with studying for exams, completing an endless number of assignments and hustling from one lecture to the other. What are you going to do to relieve stress and stay fit at VIU? You’re probably wondering how you will fit exercise into your already-tight schedule, but let me tell you, VIU works hard to make it happen. In this blog post, I will tell you about the activities offered by VIU’s Recreation department. The only thing left to do is find the activity that suits you best.
Intramurals
At VIU, there are three amateur sports leagues that always run for one semester each: volleyball, indoor soccer and basketball. Your team plays one night per week. You can apply either as individuals or already formed teams with your friends. It costs $30 per semester for you and $60 for any non-student you might want to bring. I participated in the volleyball league this semester and we played miserably at first, but we improved slowly night by night and managed to move up one league. I enjoyed spending time with my friends and getting away from the daily hassles.
Fitness
Fitness courses help you shape your body and mind. There is a wide variety. Examples include: spin indoor cycling, yoga, Zumba, cardio hip hop and full body training. I signed up for a kickboxing class every Monday and Wednesday after school. While some of us were complete beginners, others had been doing it for a few years. Still, our teacher managed to meet all our needs. And I can tell you, the workout is really tough no matter what level you’re at!
You might prefer to work out at your own pace without a group. For you, the gym is the perfect place to go. It’s usually open from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 6 pm on weekends.
How do I register?
The gym doesn’t require any registration. You just need to show your student card and then you can start training right away. For the courses, registration is activated at the beginning of every semester. I recommend that you sign up quickly because many classes fill up fast! If you are unsure about which class to take, come to the Free Fitness Week in the first week of each semester. During this week, all fitness classes are free and require no registration. Of course, you can still register throughout the entire semester, as long as there are spaces available.
I wish you good luck in finding an activity that helps you de-stress and stay fit at VIU!
Theo Petersen is a third-year Business Administration and Finance student from Germany who spent a semester abroad at VIU. Theo has always been very sporty and upon his arrival, he was very glad to hear that VIU offers so many activities on campus.
