Have you ever wondered if you can exercise while earning college credit? There is an array of courses at Gulf Coast State College where you can work out, swim, and relax while earning college credit! Depending on the style you like to exercise there are 4-course options for you: Water Aerobics, Yoga, Circuit Training, and Fitness Swim.
As college students, we often get stuck sitting in class, behind a desk, or in the library studying. This limits movement as we are not getting up and moving around enough. It is important to get up to get the blood flowing and stretching your body.
Each of these courses will earn you 1 credit — compared to the typical 3 credits — towards your degree. This is because there is minimal to no outside homework. It is based upon attendance. All of these courses will take only one hour of your time per class period. Radiography student, Samantha Lipsey took Water Aerobics last year. With the scholarships she had, she needed to be a full-time student with 12 credit hours. With the Radiography program, she only had 11 credits worth of classes, “I thought it would be nice to be active while taking that credit hour.”
Get Flexible with Water Aerobics
If you like taking your workouts to the water, Water Aerobics will fit just that. This course does not require any swimming skills either. The class consists of things like strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance.
Lipsey also said that they did not have any homework besides one assignment of creating and instructing their very own Water Aerobics class. With this you would come up with the exercises you would do during class and choosing music to play along with that.
It was really fun… I had a great experience with everyone. The instructor was great!
Relax with Yoga
The main objective of this course is to learn the techniques of yoga. If you are the type to take your exercises a little more ‘zen’ and relaxed, yoga may be for you! Practices of focusing, finding your center, flexibility, and are all explored.
The ancient practice of Yoga rejuvenates the body and calms the mind. Experience Yoga postures that will improve your balance, stamina, flexibility, muscle tone and overall health. Open to all fitness levels – men and women! Wear stretchable or loose-fitting clothing and bring a large towel or mat.
Get Physical with Circuit Training
If having a more intensive workout is more your speed, you can join Circuit Training! This course focuses solely on the development and maintenance of physical fitness. Gym equipment such as weights and balls are used. You will also learn cardiovascular exercises and calisthenics.
Improve Stamina with Fitness Swim
Finally, for a more intensive dip in the pool, Fitness Swim is available. There is focus around swimming laps and stroke techniques, so having basic swimming skills is required. This course is good for those who want to improve health and have an easier time on the muscle joints compared to the other physical courses.
Course Options
Depending on what you like, courses are available two or four days a week. There are options to take any of these courses as half-semester or full semester as well. Summer options are available, but you will have a much wider array of class times in Fall and Spring.
If you are not wanting to exercise for college credit for the course, you can take the course without it. This could be useful to those who cannot attend class on a regular schedule but still want to exercise.
If these courses are not something you are interested in or interferes with your other courses, there are other options. There is a free gym on GCSC’s campus available to you as a student. Also, there are open-swim hours at the pool every semester too!
Choosing elective classes as a student can be quite a chore. To see a complete listing guide to all Gulf Coast State College classes, go to https://www.gulfcoast.edu/catalog/current/courses/index.html.
The GCSC’s cheap and low-cost textbook listing here: https://www.gulfcoast.edu/academics/library/aim.html.
Interested in Digital Media? Get involved! https://www.commodorewaves.com/2020/09/28/digital-media-at-gcsc/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sophie Theiss
Student Author - Spring 2021
Sophie is a Digital Media B.A.S. student at Gulf Coast State College. She is the Student Government Internal Affairs Liaison and 21-22 President-Elect. Sophie is an active supporter of getting students involved with campus and student life.
