Study Break!
There are apps for nearly everything imaginable. My latest download is Strava, an exercise tracking app with a feed for engaging in social media. I didn’t know what Strava was until moving to Westwood, but many of my friends here encouraged me to download it so they could see the routes that I run, bike, and walk.
Here’s how it works:
First you choose an activity--anything from run, ride, bike, walk, hike, canoe, ice skate, row, alpine ski, and more. Then, you press record and start your activity. You can pause and resume the activity at your own leisure, and once you’re finished, there are a number of customizations you can post.
You can title your run, add photos, provide a description, and record perceived exertion on a scale from easy to max effort. Once you decide to share, Strava posts your distance, elevation gain, pace (for runs/walks), total time, and route map. Friends can even comment and give “kudos,” the Instagram equivalent of a “like.”
I asked some friends why they like using Strava, and first-year sociology major Clara Chung said, “I especially love that there’s less of an emphasis on the stats, and more so on personal progress… [and] the kudos feature--spreading positivity. [It] speaks to Strava’s culture more generally. It’s about supporting each other, not being too competitive.”
First-year environmental science major Emma Simon added, “The social media aspect of it inspires me to run more...and I like that you get “awards” for reaching new PRs or certain challenges because it’s good validation after working hard.”
As a student at UCLA, school can get overwhelming, but prioritizing outdoor exercise allows you to reset and realign your focus. Strava is a great tool because it holds you accountable and promotes goal-setting while providing opportunities to interact with friends!