Get your butt off the couch!

Staying active is an important part of human health, but it isn’t as easy as J.J Watt or Ronda Rousey make it seem. However, getting fit doesn’t actually require waking up at 5 a.m. for a morning run or spending the entire day in the gym.

Breaking news: being fit can actually be a fun part of your lifestyle! While some students stay active by playing a sport, for others, organized athletics is unappealing. But fear not, there are still plenty of alternative options for staying healthy.

For the nature lovers, Robert E Lee Park and the Loch Raven Reservoir are excellent options. From hiking to biking to running, the numerous trails offer the perfect blend of exercise and amazing scenery. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even rent a kayak from the Loch Raven Fishing Center and paddle on the reservoir.

A more common approach to exercise in the Towson community is the YMCA. For a cheap monthly fee, you gain access to a state of the art gym equipped with free weights, machines, treadmills, and ellipticals. For those wishing to take their Michael Jordan skills to the next level, there are two basketball courts perfect for working on those jump shots. For the Michael Phelps in you, there are two pools, a water slide, and even a sauna to relax in after a strenuous workout. Additionally, there is a delicious smoothie bar and even a rock climbing wall. The Towson YMCA has it all.

For those feeling stressed out and simply wanting to unwind and embrace their inner child, Sky Zone is the perfect choice. Sky Zone is the ultimate trampoline park and a great alternative to traditional methods of fitness. You simply show up, pay a small fee, and are allowed to bounce all over the trampoline wonderland. They have even been voted the #1 “out of the box” workout by Vegas Seven Magazine and even offer aerobics/fitness classes. There’s a local Sky Zone right in Timonium and there is even a new facility being built right in Towson. So if you hate those treadmills or can’t stand free weights, trampolines might be a great fit for you.

With a plethora of local options from hiking, to running, to swimming, to bouncing on trampolines, everyone can find an activity that suits them best. So get off that couch, put down those controllers, and get fit!