With so many new priorities - homework, class, meeting new people - some old habits might go by the wayside, especially exercise.
But exercise should be high on a priority list, said Jonathan Kermiet, health educator at Olin Health Center and manager of the LIFE: Rx program.
"Exercise is crucial for a number of reasons," Kermiet said. "There are a heap of problems that can affect students when they first move on campus including depression, self-esteem issues and weight gain. Exercise is crucial to combating all of them."
While the thought of running or other traditional means of working out might make you turn up your nose, Kermiet said there are other alternatives.
"The truth is that you can do things you've enjoyed in the past whether it's sports like soccer or just throwing a Frisbee," he said.
The three IM Sports facilities on campus are just a few of the places that students can go to work out or engage in sports activities.
Johnny Allen, assistant director of IM Sports-West, said that while fitness is the number one reason most students use the IM buildings, the sports have attracted large numbers of people.
"The interest in sports like soccer is so high that we are changing some of the fields to accommodate these sports," Allen said.
In terms of intramural sports, there are about 25 different sports options that are offered through IM on campus. These sports range from soccer to basketball to golf.
"The team sports are the most popular option for intramural sports," Allen said. "Students enjoy being able to go out, get a team together and still be competitive in sports."
Besides the friendly rivalries that develop in the intramural leagues, the IM does offer a wide range of fitness options within the buildings themselves.
Allen said that IM Sports-West is in the process of adding a two-story fitness area that will cost between $5 million and $6 million. The new fitness wing is set to be completed in January.
"We are trying to get the most up-to-date work out area for the west side of campus," Allen said. "Right now, IM Sports-East has the best IM facilities when it comes to fitness."
Liz Rivers, an interdisciplinary studies in social science junior, has used the IM Sports-East building for the past two years.
"IM-East has to be one of the nicest places to work out around campus," Rivers said. "We are an athletic university and it's nice to have places where we can use this to our advantage."
While some students like Rivers have taken advantage of the facilities on campus, many students still do not keep an active lifestyle. Kermiet said 49 percent of MSU students say they are active.
"The benefits to exercise are certainly well documented besides the fact that exercise is a social thing that is a good way to meet other people on campus," he said.
Those opting for places off of campus, PowerHouse Gym and Gold's Gym offer student discounts year-round.
Sales receptionist Rob Caputo said students visit PowerHouse, 435 E. Grand River Ave., for its equipment and facility.
"We've been open for five years and we're already replacing our cardio equipment," Caputo said.
A pass to PowerHouse from Aug. 15 to May 15 is $260, and the gym has different specials including a three-month membership for $129 and a six-month membership for $219. All classes are included with a membership, with the exception of stepping, a cardiovascular, high-intensity, biking-type of activity, which Caputo says is the most popular class members sign up for.
PowerHouse Gym is open Monday through Thursday 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends. Gold's Gym, 4790 S. Hagadorn Road, is open 24 hours a day Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. A school-year membership is $250.
Staff writer Esther Gim contributed to this report.
