Get fit in 2012: affordable options for exercise near campus

As the new year begins, many goals and resolutions are centered around weight loss, getting in shape and accomplishing new fitness milestones. With the abundance of exercise options in Waco, there are plenty of ways to reach these goals without breaking the bank. Here are some options close to campus to consider:

Student Rec Center (SRC)

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday

Often the site of various student activities, the SRC is the closest and cheapest option for working out. Located on campus and open free to students, the facility offers a wide array of cardio machines, weight training machines, free weights and other exercise equipment. In addition to exercise equipment, the center has racquetball courts, a multipurpose room which can be used for group exercise and aerobics and a full-size indoor basketball court. The options are endless for students who have time to work out in the morning and between classes.  However, they are only open until 8 p.m. most days of the week and are closed on the weekend, so it isn't the best if you need a flexible schedule.  Close, convenient and free, the SRC is a great place to work out if your schedule permits.

Zumba at the Rec

Mondays and Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Join the party at the FREE zumba class held on campus twice each week. Zumba is a Latin dance-inspired fitness program that burns lots of calories in just an hour. The free class is open to TSTC students and employees and is taught by certified Zumba instructor Hope Mustakim. For more information on the Zumba class contact Hope at zumbawithope@gmail.com.

TSTC Walking Track

Open at all hours and in all weather is the TSTC Walking Track located on campus drive across from the new Culinary Arts Center. Each lap is a quarter mile and the track winds leisurely through shaded areas and over a bridge. The track is lit at night and the light is controlled by a timer that walkers can turn on at all hours. The controller is located near the baseball/softball field next to the emergency call box. Just flip it on when you want to walk at night, but be patient it takes a while to warm up.

Gold's Gym Express in Bellmead

Hours: Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Located just three miles from campus, the new Gold's Gym Express on Loop 340 in Bellmead offers a more flexible schedule for students who need to work out at all hours. They offer similar exercise equipment as the SRC (cardio and weight training) and boast a low price of $9.99 a month with no commitment required. They also offer 30-minute group fitness classes and a cardio machine room with a large scale movie screenings they call Cardio Cinema. Get more information on Gold's Gym Express.

Yoga at the Croft Art Gallery

Morning classes: Tuesday and Thursday at 8:45 a.m.

Evening classes: Monday and Thursday at 5:45 p.m. and Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

To wind down after other work outs or just de-stress after a full day of classes, the yoga classes at the Croft Art Gallery downtown are a great option.  Classes are an hour long and open to people at all experience levels. Bring your own mat and $5 for the instructor each class. It's by far the most affordable yoga class in town and there's no monthly obligation. Just go when you want to! Get more information about yoga at Croft Art Gallery.

Bearathon and 5K Run

Begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 24,

If you have a fitness goal to run a marathon, then the upcoming Bearathon and 5K Run is just the thing to get you off and running. Hosted by the Baylor University Student Foundation, the Bearathon is a challenging 13.1 mile half-marathon which begins and ends on the campus of Baylor University, and includes a course through beautiful Cameron Park and scenic downtown Waco. This is the 10^th anniversary year for the race and it has earned a reputation as "The Toughest Half-Marathon in the State of Texas." If 13.1 miles is a bit much, the 5K is another way to be involved in the race. It follows the same path as the start of the Bearathon and takes runners on a scenic tour of Baylor's campus. Get more information on the Bearathon.