For these George Brown students, the cold is not an excuse to stop exercising

It’s winter and we have felt extreme temperatures.

Some days are so cold that all you can think is how difficult layering up and going to the college will be. And don’t forget to add the heavy layer of your backpack too.

During this time, doing everything feels like a big deal and you can neglect your fitness. For example, you get too lazy to leave home and carry an extra bag for the gym. Sometime you can end up making excuses to slow down or even stop your physical activities during the winter, right?

Not for these students at George Brown College (GBC).

Michael Roberts, a GBC student in electrical techniques, knows that sometimes it’s hard to keep your exercise routine. But he doesn’t give up.

He’s tried to come to the gym at Casa Loma campus four times a week for one or two hour long training sessions. And when he can’t keep that schedule, he works out at home.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about consistency on the gym,” Roberts said. “If you are determined enough to make it here every day, it’s more satisfying when you finish it. You feel like you’ve accomplished more because of all the things that tried to stop you from getting here.”

Amanuel Yosief tries to use the gym at Casa Loma at least once a day. The fourth semester heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning technology student plays basketball with his classmates as a way to have fun on breaks.

“The space is really good,” Yosief said. “We get to interact, we get to talk and it’s a great way to meet new people.”

The Casa Loma and St. James gyms offer activities like basketball and volleyball. Fitness classes are available at both gyms as well. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the St. James fitness centre has a women and trans only hour from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Ben Anderson, a GBC athletics and recreation co-ordinator, said that George Brown students should enjoy the facilities that the college provides because during the winter there are less activities available outside.

“It’s a great opportunity to get out with some friends and get out of the daily routine of class, go home, class, go home,” he said. “You can kind of break that monotony and come out to the gym and have a good time.”

The complete recreation schedule for the winter semester is available on George Brown’s athletics page.