Classroom cardio

So you want to get in shape and get ROCK HARD ABS? Thanks to Chicago weather, the “sun’s out, guns out” motto has been pushed back, giving you a few extra weeks to tone up. Let’s take advantage of Northwestern’s largest building, Tech, to whip our beach-bodies into shape – or at least to get into good enough condition that we’re not winded from just walking up the stairs. You already have all the tools you need: a building with seven miles worth of hallways and a set of expensive free weights in your backpack. Here are some Tech workout options:

Capture the flag

Capture the flag can bring out the best and worst in people. It’s a chance to be competitive outside the classroom, disregarding grades and studying, of course. First, divide into two teams. Next, each team hides their flag on a specific side of Tech and then races to see which team can find their opponent’s flag first. Collisions may occur.

The Pac-Man

It’s pretty simple, just rally up a group of people and chase each other through the maze of Tech. It’s like the building was made for this. Running three and a half laps through the whole building is basically the equivalent of a full marathon.

The Tech flex

Even though you might not actually read your textbooks, you can still get creative and make great use out of those $200 weights in your backpack. Hold your book in both hands over your head, bend your elbows and push the book behind your head – we call this the intellectual warrior pose. This exercise aims to strenghten your triceps. Next, lift the book repeatedly in front of you while bending your knees at a 90-degree angle into a squat position to strengthen your shoulders, back and legs. That way you won’t be skipping leg day.