By Aboubacar Sidiki Nabe
IIUM gymnasium seems to be the least known sports facility among the students. Some have not even taken a step of checking out what the gymnasium looks like. However, the seriousness in the faces of the ‘gym bees’, as they are fondly called, was a testimony that they are really going through a special transformation.
Transformation of body and soul! They are transformed into real men that look fit and healthy. They are shaped to more enduring minds as they go through those rigorous exercises and trainings. Valuable physical skills learnt from the gym coordinators as this daily exercise sets a pattern for lifelong fitness and grew socially from the gym bees’ experiences.
Gym bees riding bicycle & Physical Exercise
The gymnasium facilities provide students with physical exercise on a consistent basis. This is even more important for those who do not involve in other forms of physical exercises. A very good physical exercise session will feature activities that raise the heart rate, increase the pulse rate and rev up metabolism.
According to one of the gymnasium coordinators, Farid, gym sessions can help expose the students to skills that can help them be active their whole lives. The physical and mental effort also help the mind, as the gym bees will find they are able to think clearly and are able to focus better in other classes following a physical education period.
Socialisation
The social effect gym sessions have on IIUM students cannot be overlooked. Joining the gym bees is another form of socialisation among the students in the campus. It creates a sense of friendship and fraternity. That is why they refer to themselves as “the gym bees”. The gym environment is also one through which the students can learn important social cues that will help them interact with others successfully. The gym bees develop specific social skills such as teamwork, good sportsmanship, and learning and following rules.
Everyday Gym: Advantages
It has been recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention that all adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. The easiest way to achieve this is going to the gym on a daily basis. Involving in regular exercise carries many physical and mental health benefits. However, gym users are advised not to begin any new exercise programme without talking to the doctor first, especially if they have any health conditions or have been sedentary to this point.
Weight Control
Doctors have said that going to the gym every day will help one control one’s weight. Expanding 500 calories per day, or 3,500 calories per week, will help you to lose 1 lb. per week. For the overweight or obese people, losing even a moderate amount of weight, such as 10 percent of the body weight, may reduce the risk of developing serious conditions. Making changes to one’s diet may help one to lose even more weight. A reasonable goal is to lose up to 2 lbs. per week if one is overweight.
Training Schedule
The IIUM gymnasium opens every Monday to Friday. The gym opens for two sessions every day: 5:00p.m-7:00p.m and 8:00p.m-10:00p.m. ***