Every winter, buses depart campus each weekend bound for some snowy peak, but students who don’t ski have other ways of staying in shape this chilly season.

The sunlight people receive directly correlates to biological performance, according to the American Council on Exercise.

So, it’s important to maintain our health through these shortened days. Exercise is one of the best ways to do so.

Physical activity is not only good for muscles, but it improves heart functions and strengthens the immune system, according to the American Heart Association.

This is all great news, but gearing up for a jog is a nippy endeavor with February’s average low temperature of 13 degrees Fahrenheit in Burlington, according to U.S. Climate Data.

Not to fret; there’s a multitude of other indoor ways to exercise on-campus this winter.

Patrick Gym is open weekdays from 6 a.m. to midnight and weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. It contains a fitness center, an indoor track and a number of multipurpose rooms open to students.

“I go to the gym about five times a week to do 20 minutes of cardio,” first-year Autumn Lee said. “Then I try out whatever workouts Kylie Jenner has on her snap story.”

Campus Recreation has 57 pieces of cardio machinery, its website states.

But, UVM’s around 10,000 undergraduates often outnumber the weights and treadmills available.
First-year Lara Cwass said she has perfected her timing, claiming the least busy hours are early morning and midday.

“I’ve been to the gym at almost every hour it’s open,” Cwass said, “but it’s always nice to go when it’s quiet.”

Students attest that gym life is not the only answer to keeping up your health and keeping down those calories.

First-year Max Greenwood likes to exercise by going for runs and climbing.

“Even if it’s just for half an hour, working out helps me focus, relieves anxiety and just gives me lots of energy. Would recommend,” he said.
Others try out indoor rock climbing, take a lap around the pool or, like first-year Manza Campaz, get their sweat on through pickup basketball games.

“We brought together a squad of guys and girls that we knew played ball in high school, and it has no doubt helped us stay in shape,” Campaz said.

Obstacles like diet change, seasonal affective disorder and a pure desire to snuggle up in bed and watch Netflix make mustering the energy to workout tough. “Each season makes its special demands on your body,” health journalist Anwesha Barari said in an article for Boldsky.