Working out as an application activity?

[penisclaw]

I'm a pretty big health nut. I've been going to the gym about 5 nights a week for 1.5 to 2 hours a night for the last 3 years. I don't do it for some particular reason like training for a decathalon or something, I just do it because I wan't to be healthy, look good, and feel good about myself. My family also has a history of high blood pressure and cholesterol and the blood pressure started being a problem with me right before I started working out. So I want to know if this is something that I should list on my AMCAS application as one of my hobbies/activities. I feel like I should because I think it shows my hard work and dedication as well as that I have interests besides medicine and other things that take up my time that I could be spending studying. On the other hand, it really doesn't have anything to do with medicine or being a physician, so I don't know that med schools would care. Do you guys think it's something that I should list on my application? I don't have 15 items so I wouldn't have to knock something off to list it.

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[jochi1543]

I'd only list this type of stuff if you are going one big "hobby" entry - e.g. one of the 15 entries that will list all your hobbies. It certainly doesn't deserve its own spot.

 

[mongrel]

I would list it

IF

you didn't have 15 other more worthy things to list (clinical EC's, research, awards, etc). Quite honestly, I can only see this helping you. I've certainly heard of patients losing faith in an "unhealthy" doctor, and you certainly wouldn't be one of those docs! I really thinks this shows depth, not to mention a side that really walks the walk of practicing healthy habits. I say list it if you're not already scrounging for space.

 

[Surf Rx]

if it's something meaningful to you then list it. i've heard of some people putting "walking" as an activity.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=5129154&postcount=2

 

[MahSpoon]

Should I put "breathing" as one of my activities? I do it all the time, i'd say almost 24/7. I do it to stay alive and keep the ol' ticker and brain going. I think it's pretty important and since I'm doing it all day, it shows my dedication.

 

[AtmaWeapon]

I say go for it. Working out regularly is a big commitment that so few people do...especially among academic nuts. They will definitely know if you're lying or telling the truth when you interview as well 🙂

 

[Trismegistus4]

Should I put "breathing" as one of my activities? I do it all the time, i'd say almost 24/7. I do it to stay alive and keep the ol' ticker and brain going. I think it's pretty important and since I'm doing it all day, it shows my dedication.

LOL! One problem, though--it's something pretty much everyone does 24/7, so while it shows your dedication, it doesn't make you stand out from the crowd. Is there anything else you do on a regular basis that could help distinguish you from other candidates, like nose-picking or talking to yourself?

 

[SunshineNYC]

I sort of think it's ridiculous to put working out as an activity. People who are fat should get to put "eating" down (or over eating), or those who cook for themselves (but don't enter in contests or do it professionally) should put "cooking" as one of their activities.

Sorry to be so blunt about it. Maybe you could make it work though... couldn't you sign up for some race now or other competition.... and just say you've been training for it? Then run the race, so that you are telling the truth.

Otherwise, you could just put in the working out, but write a short meaningful blurb on why it's so important to you (moreso than everyone else that does it daily)... keep it short though.

 

[Jccripe]

I work out religiously and I put it down on my app for last year. This is an important activity, since People who work out like crazy probably have proper nutrition which leads us to the overall health nut. This make working out and health an integral role in the persons personality and lifestyle, I feel it tells allot of your personality, motivation, and commitment. For the Nay-sayers, dont be jealous that we can Bench over 300 and still compete with you in academics.

 

[quiksilver87]

hmm...I also think you should put it down...But make sure you also put down what it meant to you...

What do you guys think about piano? I have been playing for 3 years at my home...Do you think this is worthy to put down?

 

[mongrel]

For the Nay-sayers, dont be jealous that we can Bench over 300 and still compete with you in academics.

lolzors

 

[scgroat]

If it's definitely an important part of your life, then put it down. Don't listen to all of the pipsqueaks on this forum who think it's nothing more than macho pride. In fact, it IS related to medicine and the direction that the medical field is headed. On the other hand, the sad truth is that many people initially assume I'm dummer than they be when they see me in the gym. Don't shy away from it, though, if you believe it has been integral to your success and happiness.

 

[armybound]

penis claw?

 

[notdeadyet]

Put it down as a hobby.

I think applicants tend to err on the side of the "just the fact, ma'am" and end up with a primary that looks exactly like everyone else's. I'd recommend having at least one Activity slot devoted to something, often a hobby, that sets you apart from every other applicant.

Your ER volunteering, vice presidency of Chemistry club, two week international experience, year at the soup kitchen, etc. may be very important to you, but literally tens of thousands of other applicants will also list it.

I'd list Physical Training or somesuch as the activity and use the description of how you began it due to concerns of family bp/cholesterol. Also mention if you were able to lower your BP because of it. What did you gain from the experience?

I listed underwater photography as a hobby and it came up in 3 interviews. Beware any advice that leads to making your application look just like everybody else's.

 

[Repo Man]

There's nothing wrong with listing it if it's an integral part of your life. It would be a stronger selling point if you worked as a personal trainer or worked for a program that aimed to combat child obesity, as both of those would show that you care about healthcare as a whole and spreading your commitment to others. But regardless, it will still show some awareness and dedication to personal health. If you were a casual gym-goer, that would be a different story; I wouldn't bother listing it at all if that were the case.

Personally, I wouldn't list it myself... but that's only because I'm an exercise science major, so it's kinda implied 🙂

 

[Kfire326]

I'm a pretty big health nut. I've been going to the gym about 5 nights a week for 1.5 to 2 hours a night for the last 3 years. I don't do it for some particular reason like training for a decathalon or something, I just do it because I wan't to be healthy, look good, and feel good about myself. My family also has a history of high blood pressure and cholesterol and the blood pressure started being a problem with me right before I started working out. So I want to know if this is something that I should list on my AMCAS application as one of my hobbies/activities. I feel like I should because I think it shows my hard work and dedication as well as that I have interests besides medicine and other things that take up my time that I could be spending studying. On the other hand, it really doesn't have anything to do with medicine or being a physician, so I don't know that med schools would care. Do you guys think it's something that I should list on my application? I don't have 15 items so I wouldn't have to knock something off to list it.

I have never ever seen that typo before... haha

 

[variablistic]

I say put it down.

I put down ultimate frisbee of all things.

 

[MDtobe63]

Put it down especially if you compete in weightlifting contests.

 

[Davjc2009]

Can I put underwater basketweaving?

Learned it in the scouts and have been an avid weaver for the last 10 years.

 

[thebeatblitz]

I put powerlifting down in my hobby section along with road racing and guitar. I was hesitant to do it at first, but since I compete regularly, I just listed a meet that I placed in. It made for good small talk.

 

[Topspin82]

Improvisational comedy right here

<---

And it did come up, followed by "tell me a joke"

 

[trichomoniasis]

Improvisational comedy right here

<---

And it did come up, followed by "tell me a joke"

what was the joke?

 

[Tired Pigeon]

I sort of think it's ridiculous to put working out as an activity. People who are fat should get to put "eating" down (or over eating), or those who cook for themselves (but don't enter in contests or do it professionally) should put "cooking" as one of their activities.

Exactly right. It makes it sound like you don't have enough "real" stuff to list.

 

[bigdog8829]

If you want to, sure. I don't think i had 15 to list even....

i used working out in my secondaries and also in my interview as something i like to do

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm a pretty big health nut. I've been going to the gym about 5 nights a week for 1.5 to 2 hours a night for the last 3 years. I don't do it for some particular reason like training for a decathalon or something, I just do it because I wan't to be healthy, look good, and feel good about myself. My family also has a history of high blood pressure and cholesterol and the blood pressure started being a problem with me right before I started working out. So I want to know if this is something that I should list on my AMCAS application as one of my hobbies/activities. I feel like I should because I think it shows my hard work and dedication as well as that I have interests besides medicine and other things that take up my time that I could be spending studying. On the other hand, it really doesn't have anything to do with medicine or being a physician, so I don't know that med schools would care. Do you guys think it's something that I should list on my application? I don't have 15 items so I wouldn't have to knock something off to list it.

I wouldn't put it down -- it looks too much like you are trying to pad the ECs. A huge percentage of people your age work out in some fashion. However if you are in an interview and they ask you what you do when you are not studying (and they will), feel free to talk about it.

 

[Topspin82]

what was the joke?

I don't remember off hand...I remember though pausing for a good 20s (which felt like hours) bc I most of the jokes I knew were at least mildly offensive or had the potential to offend someone somewhere. So the result was a lame joke.

 

[trichomoniasis]

I don't remember off hand...I remember though pausing for a good 20s (which felt like hours) bc I most of the jokes I knew were at least mildly offensive or had the potential to offend someone somewhere. So the result was a lame joke.

aww that's too bad. should have gone for offensive, taught that interviewer a lesson 😀


as for all you yahoos saying don't put it, I have a recommendation for you. Pull out your dictionary and look up the word "hobby."

Not everyone's hobby is ladling soup into the mouths of homeless quadriplegics...

that being said, what you list as "a hobby" reflects back on who you are as a person (or at least how the adcom will view you as a person), make sure what you're listing will help you there. Even though you might think of all these great reasons why you spend so much time in the gym, remember that the person reading your application might have a completely different interpretation of your training (ie. self-absorption, narcissism, compensating for lap pinky).

people forget in this process that it's not what you do that matters, but how your actions are interpreted by the adcom. What you do say and don't say about yourself helps paint that picture.

I put "surfing" down as a hobby on my AMCAS (I also didn't even list a full 15 things) and I'm neither very good at it nor do I participate in competitions. IT'S A HOBBY. It came up in every single interview I had (student and faculty interviews) and made for very positive conversation. Just make sure you write "smart" about it, don't come off as a meathead.

 

[sprinkibrio]

I wrote a whole paragraph in my PS about why I will be setting a good healthy example for my patients... running, training, nutrition, vegetarianism... the personal statement is about you and it gave a good picture of who i am and what is important to me.

 

[trichomoniasis]

I wrote a whole paragraph in my PS about why I will be setting a good healthy example for my patients... running, training, nutrition, vegetarianism... the personal statement is about you and it gave a good picture of who i am and what is important to me.

lol. herbivore.

 

[amartinezz43]

i put a similar entry on my app, didnt seem to turn off the schools that interviewed me.......

 

[Lozza]

DEFINITELY list it, you are spending tons of time doing it... I feel like that is something they want to know... how you are spending your free time. especially if it will not be cutting anything else out

 

[boo-yeh]

I would recommend putting it since you it stemmed from real health concerns and it is a huge part of your life now. I had the exact same problem a month ago when I was submitting AMCAS (I started working out three years ago and have lost about 70 pounds) but ultimately decided not to put it on there. I regret it now.

As much as it sounds like we're patting ourselves on the back, I think most people realize that this type of stuff requires a huge amount of dedication and discipline. Beyond that, it demonstrates why maybe we don't have one or two more EC's to discuss since we had something more important with which to deal.

So, my best advice would be YES put it on there. BUT make sure you demonstrate why it's crucial to list that in AMCAS and not appear as Law2Doc describes as someone reaching for more things to list.

Best of luck.

 

[SunshineNYC]

aww that's too bad. should have gone for offensive, taught that interviewer a lesson 😀


as for all you yahoos saying don't put it, I have a recommendation for you. Pull out your dictionary and look up the word "hobby."

Not everyone's hobby is ladling soup into the mouths of homeless quadriplegics...

that being said, what you list as "a hobby" reflects back on who you are as a person (or at least how the adcom will view you as a person), make sure what you're listing will help you there. Even though you might think of all these great reasons why you spend so much time in the gym, remember that the person reading your application might have a completely different interpretation of your training (ie. self-absorption, narcissism, compensating for lap pinky).

people forget in this process that it's not what you do that matters, but how your actions are interpreted by the adcom. What you do say and don't say about yourself helps paint that picture.

I put "surfing" down as a hobby on my AMCAS (I also didn't even list a full 15 things) and I'm neither very good at it nor do I participate in competitions. IT'S A HOBBY. It came up in every single interview I had (student and faculty interviews) and made for very positive conversation. Just make sure you write "smart" about it, don't come off as a meathead.

I just think working out is more of a habit than a hobby.

The definition of hobby is: An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

The definition of habit is: an established custom; "it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening" OR a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiological exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance

So, if working out is something you routinely do, as a self-maintenance activity, like brushing one's teeth, or getting dressed, then I don't think it qualifies as a hobby. However, if you work out as a means to participating in a hobby (sport, race, outdoor recreation like hiking or rock climbing), then that would count, but the mere daily activity of working out for no other purpose than self maintenance is not a hobby. Even if it's for health reasons, because you could say you eat nutritiously for health reasons or you see your physical therapist weekly to combat an injury or you take blood pressure medication. These are activities you engange in, and they are your habits, not hobbies.

I know you'll call me a nay-sayer, but I just think if you want to use working out, then you need to spin it as training for something measurable, like a race or whatever, and then go through with that activity. Otherwise it looks like you're just trying to fill space and it doesn't say anything special about you vs. everyone else who works out... to me, it's like putting "bathing" as one of your hobbies.

 

[mave]

I put down photography as a hobby. I have a decent 35mm and a really good digital, and when I was applying, it was something I was spending 15-20 hours a week doing.

I had an interview pretty late in the season that I'm sure was just a fluff interview, and the physician interviewing me also just happened to have an interest... and a lot more money to supplement it. He asked me what I thought of a $4000 Nikon digital, to which I responded:

"I think that's a $4000 camera."

 

[Karnage]

I sort of think it's ridiculous to put working out as an activity. People who are fat should get to put "eating" down (or over eating), or those who cook for themselves (but don't enter in contests or do it professionally) should put "cooking" as one of their activities.

Sorry to be so blunt about it. Maybe you could make it work though... couldn't you sign up for some race now or other competition.... and just say you've been training for it? Then run the race, so that you are telling the truth.

Otherwise, you could just put in the working out, but write a short meaningful blurb on why it's so important to you (moreso than everyone else that does it daily)... keep it short though.

Sorry that you're 450 pounds and the only thing you lift is that 12th donut to your mouth.

Sorry to be so blunt about it.

There are people that get pleasure out of working out and bettering their body. It's no different than photography or any other hobby.

 

[SunshineNYC]

Sorry that you're 450 pounds and the only thing you lift is that 12th donut to your mouth.

Sorry to be so blunt about it.

Actually, I feel that way because I work out regularly, cook nutritiously, and take care of my health, and I don't view it as a hobby, I view it as my good habits, like not smoking, or seeing my doctor for regular check ups. Just trying to make a valid point that the adcoms might view the information as irrelevant and as a lame attempt at bulking up an application with meaningless frivolty.

 

[trichomoniasis]

I just think working out is more of a habit than a hobby.

The definition of hobby is: An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

The definition of habit is: an established custom; "it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening" OR a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiological exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance

So, if working out is something you routinely do, as a self-maintenance activity, like brushing one's teeth, or getting dressed, then I don't think it qualifies as a hobby. However, if you work out as a means to participating in a hobby (sport, race, outdoor recreation like hiking or rock climbing), then that would count, but the mere daily activity of working out for no other purpose than self maintenance is not a hobby. Even if it's for health reasons, because you could say you eat nutritiously for health reasons or you see your physical therapist weekly to combat an injury or you take blood pressure medication. These are activities you engange in, and they are your habits, not hobbies.

I know you'll call me a nay-sayer, but I just think if you want to use working out, then you need to spin it as training for something measurable, like a race or whatever, and then go through with that activity. Otherwise it looks like you're just trying to fill space and it doesn't say anything special about you vs. everyone else who works out... to me, it's like putting "bathing" as one of your hobbies.

you're wrong.

edit// for the same reason that you're wrong, I'm sure somewhere out there is a person who makes brushing their teeth "a hobby." Maybe they follow different manufacturers of brushes and wait longingly for the new version of OralB's flagship brush to come out. Maybe they use a combination of different kinds of toothpastes in different orders to get that "a little bit too fresh feeling."

habits are mindless, putting thought into something makes it more.

 

[silverlining1]

I'd only list this type of stuff if you are going one big "hobby" entry - e.g. one of the 15 entries that will list all your hobbies. It certainly doesn't deserve its own spot.

I agree with this. My PI, who is on the adcom here, told me that I should put my long-term hobbies on there, even if they're not with an official organization. In my application, I have 1 entry called "Extracurricular Activities and Hobbies" which includes playing the piano, playing clarinet, playing basketball, swimming, and knitting. I don't do these on an official basis, but I do them frequently on my own time and they are important to me. My PI said it gives a better idea of who the person is and if they have any interesting athletic or artistic pursuits (which are apparently valued at this med school).

 

[SunshineNYC]

you're wrong.

edit// for the same reason that you're wrong, I'm sure somewhere out there is a person who makes brushing their teeth "a hobby." Maybe they follow different manufacturers of brushes and wait longingly for the new version of OralB's flagship brush to come out. Maybe they use a combination of different kinds of toothpastes in different orders to get that "a little bit too fresh feeling."

habits are mindless, putting thought into something makes it more.

Yes, if that is one's approach to dental hygeine, then it could be a hobby, similar to a person who reads automotive journals, keeps current with auto trends, and tends to their vehicle as their hobby. However, working out regularly, just to work out and maintain one's health, is mindless. It is a habit. However, if they research the various muscle groups they'll be working on and design a work-out regimen to achieve those specific work-out goals, then maybe it takes on the form of a hobby... but it would probably be more like body-building in that case, or cardio training to achieve some bigger goal like long-distance running or whatever. That was exactly my point, to spin it as a hobby by making it more than just "working out". So, I think we are in agreement.

 

[trichomoniasis]

However, if they research the various muscle groups they'll be working on and design a work-out regimen to achieve those specific work-out goals, then maybe it takes on the form of a hobby...So, I think we are in agreement.

agreed.

 

[Spidey10]

I sort of think it's ridiculous to put working out as an activity. People who are fat should get to put "eating" down (or over eating), or those who cook for themselves (but don't enter in contests or do it professionally) should put "cooking" as one of their activities.

Sorry to be so blunt about it. Maybe you could make it work though... couldn't you sign up for some race now or other competition.... and just say you've been training for it? Then run the race, so that you are telling the truth.

Otherwise, you could just put in the working out, but write a short meaningful blurb on why it's so important to you (moreso than everyone else that does it daily)... keep it short though.

Wow, what country have you been living in? The vast majority of people do not work out daily. Otherwise, Canada and the US wouldn't be the fattest countries on the planet. This means that he would stand out a lot from the other applicants. It takes dedication to lift and get exercise every day. It also shows goal setting, and the ability to meet those goals. Sorry to rant about this, but I also work out about 5-6 times a week, and it takes up about 10 hrs/week. That is certainly like another EC.

Also, you don't need to be training to compete. Sure that can be someones' end goal, but working out to stay fit and healthy (especially when you'll be stressing your body seven ways from Sunday during med school) should be a requirement to even become a physician. We need to set an example to other people, and show them the results of good health habits. The ballooning cost of healthcare is directly proportional to the increase in the amount of unhealthy people in both countries.

 

[shantster]

I just think working out is more of a habit than a hobby.

The definition of hobby is: An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

The definition of habit is: an established custom; "it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening" OR a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiological exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance

With your definitions I see working out as more of a hobby than a habit. One of the biggest reasons that I work out is because of the high (or pleasure in the definition of hobby you listed) I get right after lifting. It's definitely not a habit because I know that I consciously have to think about going to the gym but I don't have to consciously think that I will brush my teeth before going to bed which is more of a habit. Usually that happens automatically and can be done even with me being in a complete daze.

 

[trichomoniasis]

man i should have put "not dying" on my AMCAS

 

[esperando]

If I were reading an application and someone said she worked out 2 hours a day just for the heck of it is the time that matters.

If she said she worked out 30-60 minutes per day I would think she wanted to be healthy, but would not find it noteworthy.

 

[trichomoniasis]

If I were reading an application and someone said she worked out 2 hours a day just for the heck of it I would think either:
1) She was lying about the time
2) she has OCD
or
3) has body image issues.

If she said she worked out 30-60 minutes per day I would think she wanted to be healthy, but would not find it noteworthy.

Basically, as a competitive ICA athlete and post-collegiate marathon runner, I think 2 hours a day for fun is a lot and that motivation is impressive/insane considering there is not an ultimate goal.

what the heck is with you people?

I NEVER work out, i don't have an amazing physique, yet I'm defending this point of view: why is it a bad thing for people to work out simply to look better?

tons of people in entertainment, modeling, personal training, etc all rely on what the end result looks like for their business and for essentially what they do as their job.

why does there have to be some end result (ie. a race, a sport, etc) other than just painstakingly sculpting every inch of your body to achieve an aesthetic product?

you act like running a marathon is some sort of relevant and worthwhile goal. we have cars and freeways. You don't need to be able to run 26 miles at a time. It's no more legitimate than working out just to look better.

 

[artaxerxes]

If I were reading an application and someone said she worked out 2 hours a day just for the heck of it I would think either:
1) She was lying about the time
2) she has OCD
or
3) has body image issues.

If she said she worked out 30-60 minutes per day I would think she wanted to be healthy, but would not find it noteworthy.

Basically, as a competitive ICA athlete and post-collegiate marathon runner, I think 2 hours a day for fun is a lot and that motivation is impressive/insane considering there is not an ultimate goal.

strong ignorance here,

working doesn't just include cardio stuff, and if you mix cardio with weights/medidtation/yoga stuff, 2 hrs is natural

I've put down Powerlifting as a hobby, although you could say its "working out", but there are some technical aspects that I think set it apart...and it IS a sport, I'm just not very good at it

I've also put down amature kickboxing as an activity----full contact of course.

 

[artaxerxes]

what the heck is with you people?

I NEVER work out, i don't have an amazing physique, yet I'm defending this point of view: why is it a bad thing for people to work out simply to look better?

tons of people in entertainment, modeling, personal training, etc all rely on what the end result looks like for their business and for essentially what they do as their job.

why does there have to be some end result (ie. a race, a sport, etc) other than just painstakingly sculpting every inch of your body to achieve an aesthetic product?

you act like running a marathon is some sort of relevant and worthwhile goal. we have cars and freeways. You don't need to be able to run 26 miles at a time. It's no more legitimate than working out just to look better.

that has always been the standpoint I take, if you approach it the right way, working out is no less challenging or require less dedication than running some arbitrary number of miles. The point I believe is to somehow connect it with your personal development, and not just leave it as something that you do.

 

[esperando]

my bad. you are right, working out 2hrs a day for fun on a year round basis is perfectly natural!

And meditating counts as working out?
I guess I know nothing about exercise.

 

[trichomoniasis]

I guess I know nothing about exercise.

why stop there? I bet there's TONS of stuff you know nothing about.

 

[Spidey10]

why stop there? I bet there's TONS of stuff you know nothing about.

Haha, pwned.