Everyone has heard of the freshman 15, but college students of all ages are susceptible to weight gain with the combination of long hours of studying, working and partying each year. 

The University of Akron’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center offers students a chance to ward off those pesky pounds. 

The Recreation Center is a prime advantage students recognize when coming to this University, exercise science major and Rec employee Stacey Lynn said. 

Many club and intramural sports call the Rec home, and it also houses a leisure pool, a 30-person spa, an indoor track, over 250 pieces of cardio and strength-training equipment, a rock wall, racquetball courts and more. 

We just received new equipment this past year and we are continuing to receive more, said Lynn. 

Sophomore Cameron Clapper is one student who has taken advantage of all that the Rec has to offer. 

I think that it is hard to stay in shape as a college student because, for me, I played sports year-round and I was always active, but when I came to Akron I wasn’t doing anything and was eating a lot of convenient fast food, Clapper said. I definitely gained the freshman 20, but then I found time to go to the Rec and lost about 55 to 60 pounds. 

One main cause of weight gain for college students is a lack of time. Between finishing assignments before deadlines, trying to maintain an active social life and keeping a steady job, exercise often falls by the wayside. 

Some students, however, while not quite as diligent as Clapper, have found time to make use of their Rec membership that is included in tuition. 

I had a break between my classes, so I decided to go and run on the elliptical while watching TV, sophomore Ashley Martinez said. 

Senior Craig Swanson has used the equipment to prevent that much-maligned freshman weight gain, although he does not make a conscious effort to eat healthy. 

Life has enough stresses in it, Swanson said. If I’m stressed and food is the only thing for me that relieves stress, why would I worry about how many servings I’m eating or how many calories there are? 

For students overwhelmed by the crowds at the Rec, some have found other opportunities around campus to help themselves stay in shape. 

I love walking on the towpaths and parks around the valley, Lynn said. I also enjoy doing basic exercises at home including squats, push-ups, etc. 

Meanwhile, Clapper forgoes the elevator in favor of stairs whenever he can, and continues to work out at the Rec almost every day. 

Lynn is very adamant about health promotion in terms of the University making sure students stay active and take advantage all the features at the Rec, while Swanson suggests something else that could help students salvage more free time to aid in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

I know this wouldn’t fly, but I’d love to be able to choose my classes that are at normal times during the day without huge breaks so that my schedule could be more together and organized, she said. 

Until something like that becomes a realistic and beneficial endeavor for the University administration to undertake, students are stuck with hectic schedules that rely on very precise time management. 

The Rec center, in the meantime, is a convenient and worthwhile option for students looking to stay active and prevent weight gain.  

5 Exercise Tips by Stacey Lynn (exercise science major, with a concentration in exercise physiology) 

4. Make sure you stretch, do a warm-up and a cool-down. This is the most important part of your exercise routine in order to prevent injury.