By SARAH DAVIS
Fitness has become an interest for many students who want to look good at the pool this summer, and the outdoors is the favorite exercise spot for those seeking that healthy glow.
Exercise not only benefits the body, but does wonders for the mind too.
'It helps your outlook and ability to cope with whatever is happening. Who knows how much of it is physical. I think it (the physical and mental) would all work together to make you mentally healthy,' said Julie Forbush, a nurse at LDS Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.
During the summer, many people choose outdoor activities over indoor exercise options. Some of the summer trends for exercise are running, walking, hiking, cycling or in-line skating.
Taking advantage of the warm weather and beautiful scenery are reasons people choose to take their exercise outdoors. Sarah Halcrow, a cyclist from Orem, said she chooses to exercise outside because she likes to look at the mountain scenery and get away from the traffic.
A relatively new outdoor sport that has gained popularity is in-line skating.
Russ Simons, a junior from San Jose, Calif., majoring in computer science said he began in-line skating when he was 12. He prefers in-line skating on the Provo/Orem trails because 'the trail is really pretty going up through the canyon and it is paved. Provo doesn't have really good roads and you can't do it on BYU campus.'
Tamara Gentry, a senior from Sacramento, Calif., majoring in health promotion, said she enjoys in-line skating because 'it is good exercise, fun and you look cool.'
Safety is a concern for those choosing to mountain bike or in-line skate outside. A good safety precaution is to wear a helmet.
One of the rules of the Provo/Orem trails states, 'Approved helmet use is strongly recommended.'
A bicycle helmet reduces the risk of serious head injury by 85 percent according to a bicycle helmet safety guide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Provo Police and Bike Officer Mark Crosby said regarding helmets, 'Unfortunately, it is a preference thing. Obviously we are supposed to. I see guys riding around town, which is probably more dangerous than riding up in the mountains, without helmets.'
Crosby said in one of his accidents his helmet cracked, but he was okay after the crash.
Most helmets are lightweight and Crosby recommends trying on many to find which is the most comfortable. He said, 'That is the most important thing because if they aren't comfortable, people won't wear them.'
For those who prefer to keep contact with the ground, running, hiking or walking might be more preferable. However, to get a good workout, it is not necessary to do something that makes you sweat and pant.
Forbush said, 'Max (her husband) and I have started and stopped many exercise programs. We had always thought we had to run or do something vigorous.'
The vigorous exercise programs were those started and stopped quickly until they started a walking program, Forbush said.
'We started walking eight to 10 years ago. We have continued to do it except for when out of necessity our schedules would not let us,' Forbush said. 'I can now run up the stairs at the hospital and not be out of breath.'