For Kyle Anderson, sophomore secondary education major, it’s about having a good time doing something fun. Sheldon Patton, freshman secondary education major, does it a lot. Brandi Lundgren, senior health promotion major, said that she may be an exercise addict.

“(I would call myself) an exercise addict (instead of a gym rat) because I like to go outside more than I like being in the gym,” Lundgren said.

Working out is the past time of many individuals and two of these student consider themselves to be gym rats.

“People who aren’t basketball players could see (the name gym rat) as a bad thing,” Anderson said. “But when you are trying to play for a team and you are trying to get in shape, it’s good to be a gym rat.”

But for Patton, it’s not an addiction.

“I wouldn’t call it an addiction. It’s just a habit maybe,” he said. “Addiction is a pretty strong word, like you can’t live without working out. I don’t think I would ever become like that.”

Each student claims to work out around five times per week.

“I like being active,” Patton said “Both of my parents are relatively unhealthy. Not only does it give you more energy and make you feel better but I’ve gained muscle and physique.”

While Lundgren and Patton work out to keep in shape, Anderson goes to the gym to play basketball.

“I really only go there to play basketball,” Anderson said. “I meet a few guys when I moved here and they started inviting me. We have 10-15 people who go (to the gym) everyday. We get in some good games of basketball.”

Both Lundgren and Patton have jobs at the places that they work out. Lundgren works at the Emporia State Recreation Center teaching fitness classes.

“Usually I work out alone and I do cardio alone before my class and then I teach my class (at the Rec Center),” Lundgren said.

Patton works at Genesis, formerly Walburns, located at 1007 Commercial St.

“Even if I get bored I go to the gym,” Patton said. “When I have free time I go to the gym. Even if I’m not working out or working, I’ll go to the gym to talk to the people that are working or working out.”

Since Patton works as a personal trainer, he makes up his own workouts.

“I don’t like to work muscle groups more than once a week,” he said. “So I make sure to hit a different muscle group every day. I make sure that I do a lot of cardio because cardio is a great way to burn a lot of calories. It’s really easy cheap way to stay fit. I wanted to work at a gym.”

Anderson said that lifting weights is also a part of his weekly gym routines.

“(I go to the gym) more to play basketball but sometimes I’ll lift weights to help myself stretch out and get warmed up,” he said. “Sometimes I get on a bike for a bit.”

All three students played sports in high school, and Lundgren ran track for ESU.

“In high school I was always really strong but never really ripped so when I started working out at the gym I always concentrated on being ripped,” Patton said.

The strenuous training that Lundgren did with ESU track team during her freshman and sophomore years have made it hard for her to run now.

“I do bike mostly because I can’t really run anymore because my knees are shot,” she said.

Running is an important part of Patton’s workout routine.

“I really enjoy running so the day that I can’t run is not going to be a happy day for me,” Patton said.

Part of many people’s workout routine is a healthy diet.

“I eat healthy,” Lundgren said “I’ve learned a lot about nutrition. I just have a lifestyle of eating healthy. It’s just what I like to do.”

Patton also said it’s more about eating healthy than dieting.

“I eat a lot. I wouldn’t say that I diet to lose weight but I watch what I eat because I know what it’s going to do to my body,” Patton said. “It’s about not wanting to gain weight. According to my BMI, I’m overweight but if you see me in person than you can tell that I’m obviously not overweight.”