‘You don’t have to be good’: the lazy student’s guide to getting fit

Stretch yourself … whether it’s climbing or another activity, it’s healthy to challenge yourself. Photograph: Tetra Images, LLC/Alamy

Even if you are still reeling from memories of always being picked last for team sports or feeling body-conscious in PE changing rooms, university could be the perfect time to kickstart your fitness journey and reframe how you feel about exercise.

For many people, starting uni means a chance to reinvent yourself. Even if you’ve never thought of yourself as being sporty, you could find an activity that you absolutely love if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone. “Signing up for a new activity may feel daunting, but it’s often the things that feel scary that bring the greatest rewards,” says personal trainer Abi Millar from south London.