Students are notorious for not being the best role models when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, we are well known to not be the best advocates for eating enough of your 5 a day and our social calendars have a habit of being dictated by take outs and drinking; none of which is a recommended way of living. Us students are all guilty of not putting our health first sometimes, we get it, life happens and uni definitely has a way of testing you, especially at a time where adulting seems like a very new and daunting experience. So it’s understandable that university students have developed a reputation for not being the role models for the best decisions around health and fitness. However, that narrative is far less common these days and one thing that a lot of students do to stay active is going to the gym. So lets take a look at what you could get out of a gym membership.
ActiveHud
A go to choice for most students is ActiveHud which is on the university Queensgate campus, offering convenience with affordable memberships and on campus facilities. This gym is made for students by students, the university takes into consideration student feedback and has opportunities available for students to work within the gym and gain relevant experience. ActiveHud also provides flexibility in contracts to accommodate students freezing their memberships for up to 3 months, which is perfect if you aren’t local as you don’t pay for a gym you aren’t using in summer. Another benefit is the membership provides access to swimming facilities at the local leisure centre, regular gym fitness and wellbeing classes, and access to several centres making it easier for students to access the gym even if they do not live in accommodation sites close to campus.
ActiveHud makes it easier for you to commit your time to staying healthy because you can fit your workouts around your busy uni timetables. You can go straight from a 2 hour lecture into a quick gym session in less than 5 minutes, a perfect way to burn energy and keep moving after having to sit in lecture halls. A recent upgrade following student feedback is the new women’s only floor named ‘The Mezz’ which has been designed to allow female students a space where they can feel more comfortable working out. This is perfect for women who struggle with going to gym and don’t necessarily feel comfortable working out in mixed gender spaces. If you are looking for an accessible and budget friendly gym that understands the importance of staying fit as students then this is the gym you should consider.
While the Active Hud membership does give you access to the Huddersfield Leisure Centre, you can still sign up for a membership with them however, it works out more cost effective to have an ActiveHud membership and access the leisure centre through that instead because you have access to all its facilities for cheaper.
JD Gyms
JD Gyms is a big chain so it is no surprise that there is one within a 15 minute walk away from the Queensgate campus in Huddersfield. This gym is a popular choice with its no joining fee and affordable membership options starting at £15 a month. JD Gym memberships include classes, 24/7 access and membership flexibility with no need for a contract. There is the flexibility with the plus+ membership to access multiple gyms, so if you are someone who wants to commit to going to the gym regularly but plan to go home whenever you can for weekends or holidays, then this may be the better option. Students want to be able to build that consistency but if you do not live at uni all year round then having a gym membership that gives you the option to continue with keeping a sense of a fitness routine when you are at home is key. This gym does not offer access to swimming facilities however you still have access to fitness classes, so if swimming is not your thing, considering a gym, like JD, with no pool may be the better option.
TruGym
If you are wanting a gym that can give you something a little extra luxury then TruGym is the one for you. This gym offers access to a spa suite as part of your membership which includes access to a jacuzzi and sauna, which is a perfect way to unwind after a full on gym session. Unlike some of the other gyms it does not offer 24/7 access so if you are a night owl when it comes to fitting in your gym sessions then this might not be the perfect fit for you. However they do have long opening hours that still gives you that chance to fit in your gym sessions around other student commitments with opening being at 5am during weekdays and 6am on weekends. TruGym also provides access to a range of classes that will allow you to learn how to use the equipment or dabble into something new. An added bonus is that the gym is about a 15 minute walk away from the Huddersfield University main campus so is easy and convenient to get to. While this gym does have a lot to offer and a variety of flexible memberships its important to be air in mind that for this added touch of luxury you will be paying a little more than what you would for a membership at some of the offer gyms mentioned, but for what you get for your money, TruGym is definitely worth those few extra pennies if you want a gym that can offer you more than just fitness.
Finding the right gym is important for keeping that motivation going so you have to be able to find a gym membership that will allow you to meet your personal fitness goals. Its important to choose a gym membership that works around you and is able to give you what you need to keep up that consistency with your fitness, whether that’s access to a swimming pool and sauna or the flexibility for term time students, whatever your priorities for a gym are, you will be able to find somewhere for you.
Hi my name is Lucy and i currently study speech and language therapy at the University of Huddersfield. In my spare time I love to stay active by going on walks in the surrounding countryside or going to the gym. I also love to learn new things in my free time and I am currently learning Spanish and how to play chess.
