When your priority is studying, it can be difficult to find time to exercise. But it’s actually easy to stay fit when you are an international student in the U.S.: Americans have a strong and supportive exercise culture that will keep you motivated (and healthy)!

Staying Fit As an International Student

Join a gym

Americans love gyms (more than 55 million Americans have gym memberships)! There are many options for gyms in the U.S.: try the local gym (like the YMCA), the gym of your local college or university, and the premium gyms in your area. In addition to gyms, many cities have yoga studios, pilates studios, or gyms specializing in other types of exercise, such as Crossfit.

Join a club or team

Statistics show that people who exercise in a group are more likely to continue exercising. A club or a team is a great way to keep yourself motivated! Try MeetUp.com for local clubs and teams; your college will probably also have organized sports and teams. (If you plan on attending Diablo Valley College, check out DVC’s Student Clubs for more information!)

Enjoy the outdoors: go hiking!

The best way to relieve stress is to get into nature and enjoy the outdoors. In places like California, you can do this all year! Our Guide to Hiking in the Bay Area provides tips on where to hike; for a truly memorable hiking experience, visit Muir Woods.

Try biking

SFMTA (San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency) agrees: “Biking is growing in San Francisco.” More and more people use bicycles to go to work in the morning or for pleasure on weekends. Join the trend!

For more information, check out our Exercise Vocabulary in English article