Do you even lift, bro?

How Kwantlen students can get fit while keeping their wallets fat.

By Brian Jones
[associate sports editor]

Kwantlen has never been known for its bustling student life or engaging extra-curricular opportunities.

But it should be.

Both the athletics department and the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) offer a ton of fitness recreational activities throughout all four campuses.

In Surrey, the fitness centre boasts modern strength-training and cardio equipment; including treadmills, bikes, cable machines, a squat rack, as well as free weights and core equipment.

While the one-time drop in price of $5.32 doesn’t turn many heads, the $15.96 monthly membership should. And the bigger commitment, the bigger the savings – the price of a three-month membership is just $42.56.

Compared to a $30-$50 membership at most private gyms and rec centres, Kwantlen students (especially cash-strapped ones) can get fit while keeping their wallets fat.

And for an even better deal, students with a valid MultiPass can pick up a monthly membership to any Steve Nash Fitness World for just $5 a month.

In addition to the fitness centre, Kwantlen’s Surrey campus also offers a variety of fitness classes, including an abs/core workout, kickboxing, body sculpting, and yoga. Each class costs around $4 per session.

Richmond students are even better off, as those with a multipass can try out hip-hop dance, Ju-Jitsu, kickboxing and three types of yoga for a $25 refundable deposit. That means free, people!

Both the Langley and Cloverdale campuses offer their own yoga classes that cost $4 per session. Proving that even plumbers and welders have to stay flexible.

Although KPU doesn’t offer semester-long intramural activities, they do host a March Madness basketball tournament and a road hockey tournament in the early spring.  The tournaments are open to the public, just as long as one member of the team is a Kwantlen student.

And if you take classes in Surrey, but don’t feel like forking over the dough for a gym membership or fitness class, the gymnasium offers hours of free open-gym times, as well as time slots that are designated for basketball, volleyball, soccer and badminton.

Finally, for those who like to pound the pavement, there are spring running clinics that are geared towards beginners, as well as seasoned-sprinters looking to shave a minute or two off their 10k.

If you want to check out the fitness centre, drop by the Surrey campus’ Cedar building. It’s located adjacent to the gym, just across from the Grassroots Cafe – ideal for those whose post-workout meal includes a pint.

You can register for fitness classes and running clinics at the athletics desk, located right between the gym and fitness centre.

All the classes in Richmond take place at the Blossoming Lotus Studio (Room 1320). You can find the times of each class online at http://kwantlen.weebly.com/richmond.html.

The $5 Steve Nash Fitness World pass is available at any KSA Member Services desk. More information about the pass can be found at http://www.ksamultipass.ca/MultiPassFitnessServices.html.