Be active

Recognize the benefits and enjoyment of physical exercise/movement, and invest time in individual and group activities that build endurance, flexibility, and strength; follow the recommended guidelines for physical activity.

Meet the recommended guidelines

To achieve health benefits, you should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more.

"Loop of Life" indoor route (1.5 km, 12 minutes, 1400 steps)

Check out our campus walking routes

We have kilometres of outdoor trails that weave around the beautiful Meewasin Valley to enjoy and indoor paths to keep you active all year long.

 The Loop of Life

Around the bowl indoors: Place Riel—through Residence—College Building—Physics—up the stairs (elevator way down the hall)—through  Geology (past Tim Hortons and the dinosaurs)—Thorvaldson Building—Arts walkway—right after ramp, go down two flights of stairs (or go to elevator in Arts Tower)—past Tim Hortons—through Arts Tunnel—up stairs to upper Place Riel. (1.5 km, 12 minutes, 1400 steps)

 For the Health of it

Start at Lower Place Riel - Health Science Tunnel - towards E Wing - to the end of the hallway by the library - back to Place Riel via tunnel (1 km, 10 minutes, 1200 steps)

The Agrothon

In Agriculture, walk around atrium; Take flight of stairs to next floor; Do 4 floors. (Each lap and set of stairs is 0.9 km; 4 minutes, 500 steps)

Get PACing

In the Physical Activity Complex (PAC) go up the elevator located near the entrance of the women’s change room and do five laps on the walking trap (you’ll need your student card). (1 km, 10 minutes, 1200 steps)

 Ramp it up

From the Arts ramp down the hall, turn at Law and go until the hallway ends and back to arts ramp. (0.5 km, 4 min, 420 steps)

Map your own route

There are plenty of apps available for smartphones that are simple to use and will keep track of your routes, pace, elevation and calories burned.

Walk, run or bike some of the following routes:

Bowl-a-rama

Just around the bowl (paved path). Takes only a few minutes but each lap gets your heart going a little bit more. (0.4 km, 4 minutes, 470 steps)

Mc-Own-it 

Place Riel to University apartments and back.  (1 km, 10 minutes, 1200 steps)

It shall not Def-eat You 

Start at Administration building.  Go right through the bowl past Edwards School o f Business, continue to Diefenbaker Centre.  On the way back, take campus Drive and cut back to Admin at the Faculty Club. (1.8 km, 20 minutes, 2100 steps)

Around the Uni-verse 

Walk along Campus Drive. (2.5 km, 30 minutes, 3000 steps)

A Hop Bridge and Trail Away

From Place Riel, to College Drive, to the river trail, to Diefenbaker Centre and back to Place Riel. (2.4 km, 25 minutes, 2900 steps)

 The Soul Train

Place Riel to the train bridge and back to Place Riel. (3.5 km 45 minutes)

 The Broad Way

Place Riel to the river. Then follow the river to Broadway. (5 km 60 minutes)

 Bridging the Gap

Place Riel to the River trail to the Train Bridge. Cross it and take Meewasin trail back to the university bridge. Take the bridge up and make your way back to Place Riel. (5 km 60 minutes)

 The Big Circle of Life

Same as “bridging the gap” but go along Meewasin trail all the way to Circle Drive Bridge and cross the river. (7 km 84 minutes)

Map your own route

There are plenty of apps available for smartphones that are simple to use and will keep track of your routes, pace, elevation and calories burned.

Use the PAC

At uSask, you have access to the following:

  • Fitness Centre weights, cardio equipment, fitness classes
  • Jr. Olympic swimming pool
  • Racquetball/squash courts
  • Climbing wall
  • Gymnasiums
  • Indoor track

You also have access to tennis courts, a curling rink, a hockey rink, numerous fields (football, soccer, baseball) and an outdoor track.

Cost of the fitness membership is an eligible expense under the Personal Spending Account or the Flexible Spending Program. Some employment groups receive free membership. 

Join a Campus Rec club

Each club operates independently; some are more social groups with very little structure, while others operate in a more formal setting. Campus Recreation Clubs currently include: yoga, triathlon, karate, kayaking, swing dance and figure skating

Healthy habits

Use your benefits

Your benefits are designed to support your health. Make sure you are using them!

Did you know...

Your benefits may cover:

  • Vitamins & supplements
  • Nutrition programs and counselling
  • Weight management programs (excluding food)
  • Fitness equipment
  • Personal trainers
  • Smoking cessation programs
  • and more

Self-care habits

Most of these services are provided on campus and covered under your benefits

Work habits

  1. Make sure you follow ergonomic guidelines
  2. Eat right
    • pack a lunch
    • buy a meal plan which offers many nutritious food choices
  3. Move. Today’s work environment is increasingly sedentary. The average Canadian spends 9.5 hours a day sitting. This sedentary behaviour is deteriorating your health.
    • Takes breaks and make sure you stretch
    • Do some office exercises
    • Have a walking meeting
    • More ideas below

Getting help

Employee and Family Assistance Program

USask's Employee and Family Assistance Program offers someone to talk to and resources to consult whenever and wherever you need.

Free and confidential support services include:

  • Confidential emotional support
  • Work-life solutions
  • Legal guidance
  • Financial resources
  • Physical health coaching 

1-855-575-1740 (toll-free)

Some information on this page was taken from the Employee Family Assistance Program's online resources.