Activities & Fitness

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.
Our wellness partner, the American Cancer Society, has excellent tips for being active as well as useful tools to help you get active:

How Many Calories Will Your Exercise Burn?

Target Heart Rate Calculator

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.

Whether your goal is to run a marathon or just improved 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.

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, 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!

For more information, visit these sites:

UW Commuter Services
UW Campus Walk
Washington State Department of Transportation Pedestrian Program
Feet First (pedestrian advocacy in the Puget Sound region)
American Volkssport Association
Seattle Pedestrian Program
AARP & Walking

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.

Sports Programs

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

Can't get to the Seattle campus? Check out discounts at local gyms available through the UW Discount Program . Your gym not listed? Ask your gym manager to apply to become a UW Discount merchant by contacting worklife@u.washington.edu.

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.

Getting to Work using a U-PASS

Make your commute to UW part of your fitness program! Check out the U-PASS site 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."

Bicycling

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

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

UW Calendar of Events

For health-related events, choose the "Health Sciences" tab.

NWSource's Guide to Seattle Events

Explore wellness-related activities in the community at NWSource. Listings include such organized activities as group walking, running, swimming, hiking, boating, bicycling and more.

Parks and Recreation Events Calendar

Find community events sponsored by the City of Seattle's Parks and Recreation to help you get moving!