Get Active at USC!
By: Kelsey Cheng ‘25
New year, new me! Do you want to get active this year too? Here are some ways you can exercise at USC.
Gyms
There’s so much you can do at the Lyon and Village Fitness Centers (plus the HSC fitness center off-campus). If you want to build muscle, there are dumbbells, bench presses, barbell racks, and multistations. If you’re more of a cardio bunny, treadmills, ellipticals, and stairmasters will get your heart pumping.
While it sounds like only bodybuilders work out at the gym, that’s far from the truth. Try F45, a 45-minute fitness class that consists of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) focused on cardio and weight training. Personally, I also love the morning cycling classes offered at the Village gym; these classes are part of USC’s $140 workout pass, but there are some free classes throughout the year as well. Additionally, the racquetball court, dance studio, and pool are great places to try out alternative exercises.
I’ve had great experiences at Lyon Center and the Village gym, but I prefer Lyon Center. Both offer a range of equipment, but there are some differences. One, Lyon Center is open for longer and there are more spots for gym reservations. Two, Lyon Center has more barbell racks—great for weight lifters. Three, the Village has newer equipment and a more open format.
Good for those who…
like to lift weights
like to try different types of exercises
have a gym buddy
Not good for those who…
like to workout spontaneously (you have to make a gym reservation)
need privacy
Intramural Sports
Players of all skill levels can compete in USC’s intramural sports leagues. Many athletes say that the environment is low-stress and friendly. Along with popular sports, you can learn a unique sport like spikeball, cornhole, or E-sports.
For example, Swim Club is a popular intramural sport. According to Freshman Colman Sun, Swim Club doesn’t have a strict time commitment and hosts 2-3 practices a week. Swim Club hosts team-bonding events like Swimvite too. There are competitions where they travel all over the country to Stanford, UCSD, and Georgia.
“The community is great, I love the people there because there isn’t as much discussion about academia and gives me a break to reflect and relate to people that share love for the water.”
It costs $25/semester or $40/year to sign up for an intramural sports pass. Check out the Rec Fest at the beginning of fall/spring semester to learn more!
Good for those who…
want to make friends
played sports in high school
want to learn a sport in a low-stress environment
Not good for those who…
can’t commit to an upfront $25 sports pass fee
don’t like matching t-shirts
Physical Education Courses
USC offers 1 or 2 unit courses that can get your heart pumping. Here are some popular picks:
PHED-102A: Weight Training (1.0 Unit)
PHED-120A: Yoga (1.0 Unit)
PHED-124 Walking For Fitness (1.0 Unit)
PHED-115: Surfing (1.0 Unit)
DANC-183A: Ballet (1.0 Unit)
These classes are a great way to reignite a passion or start a new one. Take it from Freshman Aivy Levan, who continues her life-long training in ballet through USC’s classes.
“DANC183c, which is a ballet elective open to students of all majors, gave me, not only an opportunity to continue my ballet training in college, but also introduced me to a community of supportive and talented individuals—including our professor, Bruce McCormick—that truly made the course.”
Good for those who…
need to be kept accountable for working out
like structure
have space in their class schedule
Not good for those who…
like to bounce between activities
have a tight class schedule
COVID-19 Precautions
As of now, USC is taking several precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in workout spaces. Gym reservations are necessary (hint: set a phone reminder to book your reservation before they run out!); masks are enforced; gyms supply wipes to sanitize used equipment.
Shift Your Goals
With all of this talk about self-improvement and getting fit, it’s important to touch upon body image. While it isn’t wrong to have certain appearance-related goals in mind, there are so many other benefits to exercise that don’t pertain to looks. Exercise may:
release endorphins and improve mental health
help us form friendships with others
strengthen our bones, muscles, and blood circulation
make us more conscious and appreciative of our bodies
Starting Out
Working out seems scary at first, but if you’re surrounded by friends and doing something you love, there’s nothing to be afraid of! We all make mistakes at first, but the best thing to do is get back up again. When I first exercised at the gym, I felt so dumb because I didn’t know how to use the machines. But with the help of a gym buddy and kind samaritans, I now feel confident to use the equipment by myself. Experiment with different types of workouts, settings, and routines! Make it fun—listen to your favorite music and put on workout clothes you feel confident in. And remember, a little progress each day adds to big results.
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