Sport during your studies works even with a full timetable, if you start small: two or three short sessions a week, fixed in your calendar, are easier to keep up than the plan to train for an hour every day from Monday. University sport is usually the simplest start, because class times, trainers and a group are already in place. If you prefer to stay flexible, home workouts or running fit into small gaps between a lecture and a study block.
Sport during your studies at a glance
- Regularity beats volume. Short sessions you actually do help more than big plans that fail after two weeks.
- University sport often offers many sports at prices tailored to students. Fees and registration are set by each university.
- For a gym, the total cost, contract term and notice period count, not only the discount.
- Home workouts and running need hardly any equipment and fit into 20 minutes.
How much time do you need for sport during your studies?
Less than you think. What matters is that the session fits into your everyday life and that you can manage it even on a stressful day. As a start, two to three appointments a week of 20 to 40 minutes each are enough. Anything beyond that is a bonus.
Example: Jonas, 21, is doing a bachelor’s degree during term time, with three days of classes from 10 a.m. His week looks like this:
| Day | Session | Where and when |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | University sport class, 60 minutes | In the evening after studying, fixed appointment |
| Thursday | Home workout, 20 minutes | Before the first lecture, in his room |
| Saturday | Run with friends, 30 minutes | Late morning in the park |
Jonas reaches just under two hours of sport a week this way. You can start smaller: choose two appointments you can reliably keep, and add more only later.
What does university sport offer?
University sport is the sports programme your university offers its students. It often ranges from football, volleyball and swimming through climbing and dance to yoga. Which courses are available depends on the location. You will find the overview on the website of your university’s sports department.
How do you sign up, and what does it cost?
Each university sets its own registration, fees and participation rules. Some courses are included in the semester fee, for others you pay a course fee. Popular courses are often fully booked early, so it pays to watch the registration start at the beginning of the semester. You will find exact prices and deadlines directly from the university sports department.
Why university sport helps especially in the first semesters
A fixed course gives your week structure and brings you together with people from other subjects. Especially if you are new to the city or still lack orientation in your studies, it is an easy way to make contacts and find a rhythm. A trial session makes it easy to try several sports before you commit.
Is a gym with a student discount worth it?
That depends on how often you go. A student discount lowers the monthly fee, but it does not help if you only train rarely. So calculate the total cost and compare it with what university sport offers you.
Check these points before you sign:
- The monthly fee with the student discount, and which proof the gym requires, usually your certificate of enrolment.
- Joining fee, service charge and other additional costs.
- Contract term and notice period, especially if you plan a semester abroad or a move.
- A trial session, to test equipment, opening hours and busy times.
- Location: a gym on your route between university and home is visited more often.
Whether your health insurance subsidises sports courses or health offers depends on your tariff. Information for privately insured people is in our article on PKV and fitness (in German). For statutory insured people, your health fund can tell you.
Which options suit which situation?
| Option | Strength | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| University sport | Fixed appointments, a group, many sports | Courses are often booked up early, prices and registration vary by university |
| Gym | Equipment, flexible times, free training | Check contract term, notice period and additional costs |
| Home workout | Little effort, possible at any time | Self-discipline, enough space |
| Running | No travel, almost no equipment | Build up slowly, suitable running shoes |
How do you do a home workout without equipment?
With a few exercises that cover the whole body. You need some floor space and a mat or towel. A simple routine consists of squats, press-ups, lunges, a forearm plank and jumping jacks. Do each exercise for about 30 seconds, take a short break and repeat the round two to three times.
This fits into 20 minutes, for example before your first study block or as a break after two hours at the desk. Pay attention to clean form and increase slowly. If you have complaints or have not exercised for a long time, check with a doctor before you start.
How do you start running?
Begin with alternating walking and running, for example one minute of easy running and two minutes of walking, 20 to 30 minutes in total. The pace is right when you can still hold a conversation. Each week, lengthen the running intervals a little and shorten the walking breaks.
A pair of suitable running shoes is worth it, because they protect your joints and feet. Otherwise you need almost nothing. In winter, running also gives you some daylight, which can help against the winter blues. Plan your route so that you are safe in the dark, and wear bright clothing or reflectors.
How are sport and studying connected?
Many students find that a walk or a short session between two study blocks clears their head. Movement breaks up long periods of sitting and gives your concentration a rest. So plan sport as a fixed part of your study day, for example in front of the library, during your lunch break or as a finish.
Movement can also be one building block for mental health during your studies (in German). In exam phases, a short balance session such as 15 minutes of cycling or brisk walking can help. If stress or low mood weigh on you for longer, however, sport does not replace a medical or psychotherapeutic check-up.
How do you stick with it in the long term?
With commitment and low hurdles. Enter sports appointments in your calendar like seminars, arrange to train with a partner and lay out your sports kit in the evening. If a session falls through, make it up the next day or let it go and carry on at the next appointment.
Make the goal small and specific, for example “Thursday at 8 a.m., 20 minutes of home workout”. That is easier to keep than a vague “do more sport”.
Frequently asked questions
Is university sport cheap for students?
Often, yes, but prices differ between universities. Some offers are included in the semester fee, for others a course fee applies. When comparing with a gym, calculate the total cost and ask the university sports department about current fees and registration deadlines.
Do gyms offer a discount for students?
Many gyms offer student rates, but they require proof such as your certificate of enrolment. Ask about the total price including the joining fee, the contract term and the notice period. A trial session helps you decide whether the contract is worth it for you.
How do I start running if I have not exercised for a long time?
Alternate walking and running at the start, and increase the running parts week by week. Keep to a pace at which you can talk. If you have pre-existing conditions or complaints, speak to your doctor before you start.
How do I find time for sport alongside studying?
Look for fixed time windows in your timetable, for example the gap between two classes or the morning before your first appointment. Short 20-minute sessions are easier to schedule than a full hour. Combine sport with journeys you already make, such as cycling to university.
So what should you do now
- Check the university sports department’s website for courses, fees and the registration start.
- Enter two fixed sports appointments in your weekly plan and keep them small.
- If you are considering a gym, take a trial session and read the contract term and notice period carefully.
- Start a 20-minute home workout or the first walk-run intervals this week.
Related reading
- Mental health during your studies: how to stay stable (in German)
- Personal development during your studies: growing beyond yourself (in German)
- Motivation in winter: how to keep going (in German)
- PKV and fitness: subsidies, bonus programmes and health courses (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
