I have always loved working out. When I first started, it quickly became a strong part of my everyday lifestyle, and when I started college I made sure that I would have my time to hit the gym. As an Exercise Science major, I assumed that all of my classmates would share the same experience. However, in class, my professor asked how many of us stopped working out in college, and I was shocked at the number of hands that were raised. I feel like exercise shouldn't be something you stop in college, this is a time when you should be working out. I have a few reasons as to why.

1. Be healthy now, benefit later

Being active is one of those things that is definitely better to be done sooner than later. In college, most of us are still young, our bodies are perfectly able to be active, so what better time to start. Starting an exercise program at a young age also has been shown to reduce the risk for problems like osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and other issues that could arise as you get older.

2. College is stressful

There is no doubt about it. Between the constant flow of all-nighters, reading assignments, papers, and exams, college is definitely a big source of everyday stress. It can sometimes be difficult to find a stress reliever. One of the best answers to this is exercise. Ask almost anyone and they will tell you about how taking up a workout routine reduces stress. There are numerous studies that backup this claim, and I have experienced this benefit. I can honestly say I am never stressed out when I am at the gym, setting up the bar, headphones blaring, completely tuning the outside world out of what I am doing in that moment. It is as if beyond those doors exists a completely different world.

3. It helps you manage your time

You're in college now, it's time to grow up. You probably have some kind of job alongside with school, social life, family, the list goes on. Adding a steady workout routine to the mix can teach you to really manage your time. It doesn't have to be priority number one, but you should be able to work in about 30 minutes dedicated to exercise in your routine.

4. You are wasting your money if you don't

So you don't workout because you don't have access to a gym? Tell me where your college is and I could probably show you why that is false. If your college/university is anything like mine, then you are already paying for the fees to the on-campus fitness center or some sort of facility that your school has. Nobody likes to waste money, you have access to these services, use them.

5. Confidence is key

Even though you are in college you may not be 100% sure about what you want to do for the rest of your life, or how to do it. You might not be feeling quite as confident as you'd hope. Taking up an exercise program can help you find that confidence. You can start to see positive changes to your body, or an increase in your strength rather quickly if you stick to it. The confidence you may start to build through exercise can transfer to the amount of confidence you have in your lifestyle. The confidence to be outgoing, to create new relationships, and to go after great opportunities when they present themselves.