Not-so-basic ways to get fit

Whether you’ve been slacking on your fitness routine or never had one, now is a great time to start. At least it beats studying.

Try these motivational tactics to get yourself back in the zone:

• Reward yourself. Sure, it may not sound great to bribe yourself to work out. But if it works, it works — as long as your trade-off isn’t eating an entire cake. Try more of a win-win, like allowing yourself a 20-minute nap after you work out.

• Set a realistic goal. The goal should be more than “go to the gym.” It should be as specific as getting strong enough to run a mile in nine minutes by September. Tough but attainable. Don’t try for a marathon next month when you’ve never run before. Set that goal further and give yourself something you can do in a few months. Then, increase the goal once you hit it.  

• Have fun. It's hard to do something you hate a few times a week. Make your work something you look forward to, and it’ll be way easier to keep up the new routine.

Check out our ideas for how to use that new-found motivation to get back in action.

Make it a group thing.

Get your friends together or make some new ones in a group fitness class. All four campuses' Sun Devil Fitness Complexes offer group wellness classes with your membership (included in tuition). Pick a class based on your interest — they offer everything from cycling and swimming to yoga and intense HIIT classes. You can switch it up every time or become a regular.

Take a hike.

Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. There are great trails near all four campuses. Check out this list of the best hikes in your area. Before you hit the hills, check the trail’s difficulty rating. This will help you gauge which peak is right for you based on your fitness level. Be sure to check the forecast for the day while you're at it; high temps and heavy activity levels don't mix. Try a short hike in the morning or evening while we're hitting the peak temps. And don't skimp on sunscreen.

Go from homebody to fit-body.

If you know it will be too hard to tear yourself away from your Netflix marathon, try some at-home workouts you can do while the next episode is loading. Check out this video that covers 22 at-home moves to make binge-watching better for you.

Let’s get digital.

If you’re more of a DIY exerciser, try one of these apps that help guide you through moves and workout plans at your own pace.

• Nike+ Run Club: This app can help you reach your goal if you're a wannabe runner. It offers guided runs, a trainer who encourages you every step of the way, and workout plans for beginners and experienced runners.

• Aaptiv: This app offers in-the-gym and bodyweight workouts for many movements. Let a virtual trainer guide you on the elliptical or stair climber, through stretching, or while you train to run a marathon.

• Seven: This is for the ultra-busy. If you can spare seven minutes daily, you can fit in one of these workouts. Simple bodyweight movements get you moving for seven minutes in total.

• Yoga Workout: This app allows you to work out your body and your mind. It provides yoga videos for everything from relaxation to toning your core.