Fitness

Whether your goal is to run a marathon or just improve your mental well-being, exercise is a key ingredient to fitness. These resources will help you find sports programs and other wellness activities for all athletic levels.

The benefits of exercise are numerous, including:

Reduces blood cholesterol
Lowers blood pressure
Increases cardiovascular endurance
Boosts bone strength
Burns calories and keep weight down
Reduces stress and anxiety
Is fun!

Before you start...

Before you begin a fitness program, check with your doctor to make sure the activity is right for you.

Check out our Preventive Care page for information about physicals.
Hall Health Sports Medicine Clinic on the Seattle campus is part of UW Physicians and offers sports medicine and fitness consultations to decide which fitness program is right for you.

UWalk Program

Think about why you walk, who you walk with, and when you walk. What would motivate you to walk more?

UWalk makes you a part of a vibrant and varied community that walks for some of the same reasons you do. It is a virtual space where UW students, faculty and staff can join walking groups, participate in events and group activities, keep track of their progress, and connect with a larger community of walkers across campus through sharing stories and photos.

UWalk participants join the walking groups that match their style. Each group focuses on a particular motivation for walking—for health, the environment, or just plain fun—and members measure progress by counting and logging their efforts on the UWalk Web site. You can change the groups you belong to at any time.

Commute group - counts the number of trips walked between home and campus each day. These are one-way trips made exclusively by foot.
Health group - count the number of steps taken each day using a pedometer to track steps taken.
Lunch & Social group - counts the number of minutes spent walking for recreation each day.
Meetings, Classes & Errands group - counts the number of minutes spent walking to and from meetings and classes, and running errands each day.

Participants can walk together or walk alone, because UWalk groups meet up online. UWalk events and activities will be held throughout the year to help build the community and celebrate everyone’s achievements.

UWalk is sponsored by Facilities Services. Get started today!

Mall Walking

As a public service to the community, many shopping malls open their doors early for walkers. Mall walking programs offer several benefits:

Out of the weather: Inside a climate controlled mall, walkers can dress comfortably and not worry about wind, rain, snow, ice, heat.
Away from the traffic: No intersections to cross, broken glass or bushes obstructing the path, auto fumes or rush hour.
Security: Walking with others and with mall security on duty.
Restrooms and water are always nearby in the mall.
Blood Pressure Checks may be available.

Call the mall nearest you to find out if they offer a mall walking program, or visit:
Alderwood Mall Walking Program

Walking & Hiking

Walking is one of the top recreational activities in Washington. It's perhaps the easiest, most economical form of exercise. And the benefits are numerous!

For more information, visit these sites:

UWalk Program (see above)
Walking to campus - includes walking maps
Taking a campus walk - includes walking maps
Washington State Department of Transportation Pedestrian Program
Feet First (pedestrian advocacy in the Puget Sound region)
American Volkssport Association
Seattle Pedestrian Program

Note: The Wellness Resource Center at Hall Health sells pedometers to help you keep track of the number of steps and miles that you are walking. Use your U-PASS and get a discount.

Bicycling

Whether you're a casual or serious rider, here's some useful information on bicycling:

UW Commuter Services
The best way to experience UW is on a bicycle!

Bicycle Alliance of Washington
Advocates for bicyclists and promotes cycling to build a bicycle-friendly Washington.

Bicycling Safety
Hall Health sells high-quality safety lights and helmets at bargain prices (special discounts available for U-PASS holders). They offer helmets specifically designed for biking, skateboarding, in-line skating, skiing, and snow boarding.

King County Bike Map provided by Metro Transit.

Snohomish County Bike Map provided by Community Transit.

Bicycling in Washington
Bike laws, maps, and tips provided by the State Department of Transportation.

Cycling Clubs

Commuting

Make your commute to UW part of your fitness program! Check out Commuter Services for activities throughout the year that promote biking and walking to work. Whether it's January's Ride in the Rain or the spring Walk-In Challenge, make getting to work part of "fitting in fitness."

Recreational Sports Program

Enjoy the exercise, sports and fitness opportunities available to students, faculty and staff members at the University of Washington through the Recreational Sports Programs.

Gym Memberships

Many area fitness clubs offer discounts to state employees so be sure to bring your Husky ID card with you when you shop for a club membership. Ask what discounts the club offers to state or UW employees, and whether they extend the discount to family members, retirees, and retiree family members too.

Weight Watchers @ Work

Keeping weight off for the long haul requires more than just a focus on food. The “Four Pillars” of Weight Watchers are food, behavior, support, and exercise. Here you will be encouraged to develop healthy habits, exercise, and make smarter food choices—all in a supportive environment. Attend a UW Weight Watchers session that meets weekly on the Seattle upper campus. Learn more.