In a place as breathtaking as Malibu, it seems that people’s level of motivation to stay healthy and beautiful is slightly higher. With such natural, free facilities at our fingertips it is possible that we all have an unconscious desire to stay fit.
For a 27-mile strip of land, Malibu offers a plethora of places to exercise in ways that almost everyone can enjoy. I confess I haven’t been too keen on exercising because the stairs and daily walk to the CCB are enough to keep me from feeling guilty after downing a plate of pasta or late-night Haagen-Dazs. But after asking around on campus, I began to regret my lack of exploration when it came to working out.
I’ve gathered a collection of some of the most popular places that people like to exercise at and hopefully it will encourage you to grab those dusty running shoes and your iPod and take a break from the books to explore what Malibu has to offer.
The first, and most convenient, is our campus, with its uphill trekking and unavoidable stairs.
“There is a trail that goes up to the grad school that I usually run,” freshman Briana Rusin offers as advise. “I’ll also help people do exercises on the soccer field, like burpees or ab circuits.”
Our whole campus showcases a beautiful view that can be seen at all times when you go for a run. A good method would be to start at the track for a warm-up and then run counterclockwise around campus — that will take you in a circular path around the school.
Pepperdine’s gyms and weight rooms are also available on campus. There is a gym and weight room located in the Firestone Fieldhouse, Drescher, Towers, as well as the Harilela International Tennis Stadium Fitness Studio, where different fitness classes are available.
“The weight room is good for what I was looking to do,” freshman Billy Zwick said. “I went there midday and it wasn’t very crowded either, there’s always room.”
As for the classes, Pepperdine offers a variety of daily activities and recreational sports that keep a student on track for fitness, as long as they are willing to be consistent.
“I just started to run the fitness classes here this semester and they’re really awesome,” senior Chelsie Blackwell said, an employee at the Firestone Fieldhouse gym. “I just took cycling last week and the instructors push you but they’re not scary. They have it everyday so it’s definitely a good way to stay fit.”
The classes require a small fee, but it’s well worth it as it forces you to stay motivated — even on those occasional lazy days.
If you look off campus it’s a whole new world of exercising. Not only do you get your daily work out, you also get a chance to escape your educational environment for some time.
Aside from the hiking trails that can be accessed right on campus, like the hike to the cross, freshman Alex Free and JJ Wong often hike in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
“We like to go there because it offers a place to get away from campus,” said Wong. “No one ever goes there so it’s even more of an escape.”
Hiking spots are probably the best natural setting that Malibu offers, but if you’re more of a runner, the beaches provide an awesome setting to get a workout. An example would be at Ralph’s beach, which has sand that provides a harder surface for a good running foundation.
“I like to run down at the Malibu Bluffs because there’s nobody over there and it’s right next to the ocean,” freshman Kayla Martin said. “There’s also public beach access right next to the trail and it’s very pretty.”
For the people who like to get a more intense workout, CrossFit, located only five minutes away from Pepperdine, provides something to get your heart pumping a little harder.
“CrossFit is what they do to train people in the army. It’s like a sport and people compete in the CrossFit Games,” sophomore Rebecca Leveque said. “I have friends that do it, but I don’t because I don’t want to get addicted.”
As this evidence shows, Malibu provides exercise for every type of person — the picturesque ocean view should just serve as an additional motivator to get your bottom off the couch and into the sand, hiking trail or gym.
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As published in the Sept. 12 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
