Get Involved in Sports Now

Starting university can be unbelievably overwhelming with all the changes you face.

Suddenly, you're living with strangers, being inundated with new course information, and being invited to join numerous societies.

Amidst this, sports might seem like an afterthought, especially if high school gym classes were not your favorite.

Before attending university, sports were a big part of my life and I intended to continue that. However, freshman chaos and a demanding course load kept me from it.

Not until my second year did I truly engage in university sports, which turned out to be one of the best choices I've made here.

Exercise often goes undervalued by the average stressed university student, but joining a sports society offers a social alternative to the gym.

Weekly gatherings and practice sessions are excellent for making friends. If you want to try something new, most societies welcome beginners and offer free initial sessions, so it's worth trying!

For those into competitive sports, there are plenty of options, with many sports having regular BUCS competitions, while others have dedicated leagues.

College sports also offer participation in events like the college cup and varsity contests.

These activities lead up to the year's largest sporting event, Roses, held on the first weekend of May annually.

Competing against Lancaster (the hosting university alternates each year), the event commemorates the war of the roses with over a hundred fixtures.

Although not every club participates due to Lancaster sometimes lacking a team, it remains an exciting chance for many.

This year, held at York, it promises a vibrant atmosphere whether you're competing or just watching. Perhaps this year we'll break our three-year losing streak to Lancaster.

Regarding sports clubs, there's something for everyone. Team sports include the usual football and rugby and niche choices like korfball and lacrosse.

If you're looking for a less typical team sport, York Cheerleading Society is massive, with nine teams, a performance squad, and a development squad.

Various martial arts like MMA, boxing, jiu-jitsu, and Kendo are available too.

Larger societies like boxing can feel overwhelming initially due to the high interest, so don't hesitate to try again later when it’s calmer.

Even sports that seem intimidating, like gymnastics, parkour, or trampolining, welcome beginners.

For those interested in gym memberships, the university provides facilities on east (£38.50 monthly) and west (£28.50 monthly) campuses.

York's sports facilities are top-notch, featuring the campus east sports village completed in 2012, which includes an eight-lane competition pool, a full-size 3G Astroturf pitch, and three five-a-side pitches.

These are accessible to university sports societies, though those needing specialized equipment train off-campus. Off-campus gyms, like The Gym Group, are also an option.

Just a five-minute walk from the U2 bus route, it's open 24/7 and offers annual membership for £299 (approximately £25/month).

A nine-month student membership is £239 upfront at York, with a current 20% discount. Student discount apps like Unidays often have offers too.

Membership grants access to two gyms, letting you work out even when at home. Prices differ by location, with some discounted rates as low as £151.20 (£16.80/month).

Buying membership at your home gym and adding York as a secondary could save you money.

Sports are worth trying during your time at university. They can significantly benefit your mental health and possibly help you make new friends.

Source: nouse

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.