Finding Balance During The School Year

Exercise is good for your brain! Although most people see exercise as a way to maintain a healthy body (which is accurate), a study published through Frontiers in Psychology in 2018 joined a growing body of work that demonstrates that physical exercise improves cognitive function and brain plasticity.

For anyone out there who isn’t a psychologist or a neurobiologist, brain plasticity is a fancy way of stating that the brain is able to change. Everything that we learn creates changes in our brains and so increasing the ability of our brain to undergo change is very valuable, especially when you’re studying for exams!

The 2018 study concludes that, “physical exercise (defined as movement that is planned, structured, repetitive, and has a final or an intermediate objective of improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness) determines positive biological and psychological effects that affect the brain and cognitive functioning and promote a condition of wellbeing.”[1]

The beginning of the school year is the perfect opportunity to start healthy, balanced habits that will feed your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. If your campus doesn’t have a fitness centre, check out one of these local options:

Anytime Fitness |185 King George Rd. |519-304-8020

Until September 25, new members can join Anytime Fitness for only $1, plus the monthly membership fee.

Crunch Fitness | 565 West St. | 519-757-0565

From now until September 17, new members join for only $2, receive two weeks free and monthly fees are as low as $9.95/month.

Fit4Less | 181 Lynden Rd. | 519-756-9350

Fit4Less has several membership options starting as low as $4.99 bi-weekly and a start-up fee of $44. Check out their website or give them a call to find out if this is the right place for you.

The Fitness Centre | 177 Paris Rd. | 519-751-2500

The Fitness Centre has a diverse range of package options so that you can find what fits you best. Each option comes with a discounted student rate.

World Gym | 84 Lynden Rd. | 519-304-1272

World Gym is currently promoting a $0 enrollment fee and access to their weight room and cardio equipment for only $4.99 bi-weekly. Centrally located at Lynden Park Mall.

And for all those crossfitters out there, Brantford has something for you too!

CrossFit Brantford | 50 Roy Blvd. | 289-795-8482

CrossFit Durst | 111 Sherwood Dr. # 26 | 226-938-7296

[1] Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits