While student life can be stressful even in the summer, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who call the Fort Garry campus home, have got our backs, Bisons.

From free fitness events at IG Field and online to quick healthy recipes and mental health tips, the Bombers have teamed up with local partners to provide free health support for the community.

The big event taking place on campus this August for the second year in a row has the Bombers teaming up with GoodLife Fitness to bring free fitness classes to IG Field.

An all fitness and ability levels welcome event, three free fitness classes will be offered on Monday nights throughout August, and all you have to do is register for the class or classes you wish to take. Space is limited, so it is recommended you register as early as you can.

Each class in the series will take place on the turf of IG Field and will be taught by local Winnipeg instructors.

Yoga is being offered Aug. 14, Zumba — which is a dance workout for those not in the know — is being offered Aug. 21 and Craft Boxing — advertised as a boxing experience developed by former professional boxer George Foreman III, heavyweight champion George Foreman’s son — is being offered Aug. 28. All classes are 45 minutes in length and are set to start at 5:45 p.m. on their respective dates.

There is also free parking available for anyone participating.

For students who don’t want to make the trek to campus, or who prefer to work out indoors, the Bombers have also teamed up with GoodLife Fitness to bring a free monthly web workout series where Bombers offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld and defensive end Willie Jefferson teach you proper workout techniques.

So far in the series, Neufeld and Jefferson have covered chin-ups, burpees and lunges. A new exercise technique is available at the beginning of every month.

And for students looking for some extra mental health support, the Bombers have also teamed up with Manitoba Blue Cross. In a monthly web series, Bombers wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky takes you through a different tip to help improve mental health or explains how to combat a mental health stressor.

So far Wolitarsky has discussed how humour and gratitude are great tools to combat negative thoughts, and that an “all or nothing” mindset can be damaging to mental health. Just like the workout series, a new coping tool is dropped at the beginning of each month.

Finally, for those who are interested in learning how to cook new tasty, healthy meals, the Bombers have also teamed up with GoodLife Fitness for the Blue Bombers Fit Recipes series. Each month a new recipe drops online.

And on an encouraging note, these are not stereotypical gym rat, frat boy plain chicken and rice recipes. These are actually delicious, ranging from chili lime shrimp wraps to BBQ chicken pizza. The recipes are also designated by cooking skill level, so there should be something any student can create, even on a dorm hot plate.

 

To register for a free fitness class at IG Field, or to find any of these health resources, click on the “Community” section at bluebombers.com.