Being active is easier said than done. But at DU, and in the greater Denver area, the first push to try goes a long way. There are so many fun opportunities, both on-and off-campus, to keep you healthy and happy that at the end of the school year, there’s really no room for excuses. Check out these four different ways to stay active this year.

Clubs:

Whether you miss playing sports in high school or just want to exercise in a more entertaining way than the dreaded gym, there are various clubs at DU that are bound to fit your needs.

For any outdoor adventure, look no further than the Alpine Club. They go on 20-25 trips every year, participating in sports such as skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and even snowshoeing by moonlight.

Instead of researching for hours and figuring out logistics for a big trip on your own, let them do the work for you and simply enjoy yourself. The club also makes some of these trips outside of DU to states like Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico, offering a well-rounded Western experience.

There are also more specific clubs on campus if you’d rather just stick to one sport and don’t have time for such elaborate trips. The following club sports are all offered at DU: badminton, men’s baseball, women’s basketball (no men’s basketball according to the club sports website), climbing, cross country running, curling, cycling, dance, field hockey, figure skating, gymnastics, men’s and women’s ice hockey, inline hockey, kayaking, men’s and women’s lacrosse, rowing, men’s rugby, skiing, men’s and women’s soccer, taekwondo, tennis, ultimate frisbee, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s water polo. That’s a pretty extensive list of ways to stay active right here on campus, and we’re just getting started.

Intramural Sports:

If you’re interested in staying active but don’t want to get overly—competitive about it, intramural sports are a great outlet. You can either form a team with your friends or join one through the online registration site (IMleagues.com), keeping everything totally in your control. Sports being offered this fall include: outdoor soccer, broomball, volleyball, basketball, flag football and ultimate frisbee. This is a great way for your typical group of friends to get off the couch and spend a few hours a week doing something different than usual. It’s also a great way to meet new people without the same intensity of club sports, because intramural sports are far more casual.

Meetup.com:

Students who would rather stray from DU in their active endeavors should check out Meetup.com. This site connects people who share common interests, whether it be knitting or football, serving as a great way to meet new people and keep doing what you love outside of the college atmosphere. There are groups for every activity or sport imaginable, so take a few minutes to browse around the site and you’ll surely find something fitting.

CarShare:

Really, really, trying to stray away from DU but don’t have a car to escape? Behold CarShare, an on-campus car rental service that only costs about $8 an hour. Between a few friends, that’s the same cost as going through a six pack every hour, so set your financial priorities straight and invest in one of these. Once you’re on the open road, your money will feel well-spent without a doubt. There is limitless sightseeing, hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding and so much more to be experienced out there. Some great places to start: Rocky Mountain National Park, the city of Golden and the entirety of Summit County.

We happen to live in one of the most active places in the entire world, so to not take advantage of that fact is a huge missed opportunity. Between the clubs and teams here on campus and the endless adventures waiting beyond, you could very well have the most active year of your life while also having the most fun of your life. So just remember that while we’re all here for school, it’s the days you scream from a mountain top, try something new or win a game with your friends that will be truly memorable, not those full of pencil twirling and test taking that we’re all too familiar with.