The Powerful, Unexpected Benefits of Walking to Class at KWU

KWU Athletes Find Benefits in Walking to Class

For some Kansas Wesleyan University athletes, getting to class does not require getting behind the wheel. Instead, the trip starts with a pair of shoes and a walk.

Three KWU basketball players, Jamari Franklin, Dakarai Davis and Jason Juiye, walk to campus from different distances. Walking is a way to get to class for some students; it has become part of their daily routines and another way to stay active.

Walking as Part of a Daily Routine

For Franklin, walking is more than just a way to get to class. He walks nearly everywhere he needs to go, including campus and his job. His trips can take about 20 minutes, allowing him to stay active outside of basketball.

Franklin and Davis also live together, meaning their walks become time for the two teammates to bond. The walks give them a chance to talk, catch up, and strengthen their connection away from the basketball court.

Both Franklin and Davis said walking necessarily is not a bad thing and can have its positives. Walking gives them a way to get around while adding physical activity to their day without having to rely on a car.

Walking Can Become a Challenge

For college athletes, however, walking is not always easy. 

After basketball practices, workouts and outside activities, the added walking can sometimes become a struggle. The physical exhaustion that comes with their schedules can make a normal walk feel like more work.

Between practices, workouts, classes, work and other responsibilities, the schedules of KWU athletes can fill up quickly. Walking gives Franklin and his teammates another way to stay active without having to set aside additional time for exercise, even when they are already tired.

Davis also walks to campus and has found it to be a practical way to get around. Living close enough to campus allows him to avoid some of the costs and responsibilities that come with driving while still getting movement into his day.

Juiye takes a different walk to campus, showing that the three players do not all have the same commute. Their different distances show that walking can be a different experience for every student.

Walking Saves Money and Keeps Students Moving

A 20-minute walk might seem long compared with driving, but walking has its advantages. Students do not have to worry about finding a parking spot, buying gas, or maintaining a vehicle for short trips.

Walking can also contribute to the physical activity recommended for adults. The CDC has a Physical Activity Guidelines provide recommendations for staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For the three basketball players, walking fits naturally into their active lifestyles. Their days already revolve around staying in shape and preparing for competition, but something as simple as walking can add more movement to their everyday routines.

Walking can also give students time to clear their heads, spend time outside, and connect with friends. For Franklin and Davis, those walks can even become time spent together as teammates and friends. In a KWU post No Wheels Needed: KWU Coyotes Thrive on Foot   Juan Luna explains how students can use walking further around Salina.

Alternative transportation does not always have to mean taking a bus or riding a bike. Sometimes, the simplest option is already available.

For Franklin, Davis and Juiye, walking provides a way around Salina while saving money, staying active and spending time. Although the extra distance can sometimes be difficult, the walk to class can still become part of a healthy routine.

For KWU athletes, something as simple as walking can provide benefits beyond getting from one place to another.

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