Campus Recreation has two extensive gyms, one of which is currently expanding to become even larger.

Campus Recreation Center East, or CRCE, is located in Urbana just east of the Quad, while the Activities and Recreation Center, or ARC, formerly Intramural Physical Education or IMPE, is located near Gregory and Peabody Residence Halls in Champaign.

Some of the amenities included in these facilities are basketball courts, racquetball courts, free and machine weights, elliptical machines, bikes and treadmills.

The opportunity to stay in shape, get into shape, or even bulk up is available to all full-time University students. But not all students use them.

The “freshman 15” is no myth, and unless you get yourself in a habit of working out now, it will be hard to get into a routine once you have to balance classes.

Try to convince your high school to let you work out at their track, fitness center or weight room instead of paying for an expensive gym membership. But if you have to pony up some greenbacks, it will be well worth it to find a workout schedule that works for you before you start eating dorm food.

Not to mention it’s beach season, so make sure you’re looking your best.