Staying Fit at USC

Schoolwork can become overwhelming sometimes, and my favorite way to de-­‐stress is with exercise. Luckily, being at USC means I’m not forced into boring routines like jogging around campus or lifting weights at the gym. Instead, the beautiful Southern California weather and awesome places near campus make working out something to enjoy.

My favorite off-­‐campus routine is hiking to Griffith Observatory in LA. It’s as strenuous as you want to make it—sometimes my friends and I will take it slow and enjoy the view of Los Angeles, while other days we’ll run all the way to the top. I’ve also seen people bike the mountain as well. Away from the concrete jungle of downtown, Griffith Park is a beautiful escape. It’s also the beginning of the Mt. Hollywood trail to—you guessed it—the famous Hollywood sign. Next on my list is to attend a star show at the Observatory!

While training for a half marathon, I would drive to Santa Monica or Manhattan beach once a week for my long runs. The views are unbeatable and I never wanted to stop running! The USC Triathlon team also does runs off campus, in addition to long bike rides. One of my good friends in Viterbi joined the team when I did and we go to practices together a few times each week. Whether it’s a new type of work out like cycling or swimming, or a change of scenery like the beach, USC and Los Angeles have plenty to offer students of all fitness levels.

As for on campus exercise, the Lyon Center offers tons of classes like yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and even Nike training workouts. You can rent out camping gear, snorkels, and tons of other outdoor materials at a good price. I’ve also tried out the club Tennis team and SC outfitters, two student-­‐run organizations. SC Outfitters organizes hikes and backpacking trips to the coolest places in Southern California, like Yosemite and Silver Peak. I even got to go white water rafting this semester with ROTC! Some of my best memories are trying out new activities with friends.