Working out as an application activity?

[coralfangs]

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I wouldn't put it down myself.
I too have worked out for at least 6 hours a week during my UG years but I don't see a point putting down something that you do regularly simply for personal enjoyment, especially without any recognition

other examples include cooking, yoga, etc unless you are getting some sort of recognition, eg. paid work, teaching, awards, etc

I remember reading someone's amcas and she actually mentioned cooking
It seems kind of ridiculous to read someone saying that he or she enjoys cooking, cooks 5 nights a week, etc

 

[87138]

I wouldn't put it down myself.
I too have worked out for at least 6 hours a week during my UG years but I don't see a point putting down something that you do regularly simply for personal enjoyment, especially without any recognition

other examples include cooking, yoga, etc unless you are getting some sort of recognition, eg. paid work, teaching, awards, etc

I remember reading someone's amcas and she actually mentioned cooking
It seems kind of ridiculous to read someone saying that he or she enjoys cooking, cooks 5 nights a week, etc

Although I didn't include working out on mine (it actually didn't cross my mind since it's such an integral part of my day that I don't think of it as "different" automatically), I see nothing wrong with including avocations that bring you joy. I'm a former college athlete who actually trains harder now that I'm not a part of a team than when I was. Like several others have said, it helps to distinguish you from all the other premeds who have shadowed a doc for a day/replaced linens in the hospital as a "volunteer"/joined Golden Key/held a dying baby in their arms. It helps paint you as a human and not a boring premed robot.

I did, however, include me being a drummer/percussionist because that's something that tends to be a bit more organized in nature (bands/orchestra/etc). In retrospect though, if I could I'd go back and add weightlifting. It's a big part of who I am and I spend a significant chunk of time weightlifting and following solid nutrition guidelines.

 

[artaxerxes]

Although I didn't include working out on mine (it actually didn't cross my mind since it's such an integral part of my day that I don't think of it as "different" automatically), I see nothing wrong with including avocations that bring you joy. I'm a former college athlete who actually trains harder now that I'm not a part of a team than when I was. Like several others have said, it helps to distinguish you from all the other premeds who have shadowed a doc for a day/replaced linens in the hospital as a "volunteer"/joined Golden Key/held a dying baby in their arms. It helps paint you as a human and not a boring premed robot.

I did, however, include me being a drummer/percussionist because that's something that tends to be a bit more organized in nature (bands/orchestra/etc). In retrospect though, if I could I'd go back and add weightlifting. It's a big part of who I am and I spend a significant chunk of time weightlifting and following solid nutrition guidelines.

exactly, if you have the extra spot on your app, put it down, doesn't hurt,

btw, I myself have the golden key, shadowing, and sheet changing on my app🙂 Never held a dying baby, but I have lifted a dead person onto the morgue cart and hauled him down to the morgue, and subsequently help lift this 300lb person into a cabint above my head🙂 lifting really came in handy there.

 

[Spidey10]

You should say "Bodybuilding" instead of "working out". Inevitably, images of Arnold are conjured up when that word is said, and everybody likes Arnold.

 

[coralfangs]

but the problem is, there's no way you can show that you work out 10 hours a week
sure if your body looks like arnold's
what if you are slim and fit like a runway model? behind a suit, the adcom would wonder why you are so skinny
it always happens to me, my friends always think that i'm skinny and weak until i started wear tanks
and what can you put as your contact?

Although I didn't include working out on mine (it actually didn't cross my mind since it's such an integral part of my day that I don't think of it as "different" automatically), I see nothing wrong with including avocations that bring you joy. I'm a former college athlete who actually trains harder now that I'm not a part of a team than when I was. Like several others have said, it helps to distinguish you from all the other premeds who have shadowed a doc for a day/replaced linens in the hospital as a "volunteer"/joined Golden Key/held a dying baby in their arms. It helps paint you as a human and not a boring premed robot.

I did, however, include me being a drummer/percussionist because that's something that tends to be a bit more organized in nature (bands/orchestra/etc). In retrospect though, if I could I'd go back and add weightlifting. It's a big part of who I am and I spend a significant chunk of time weightlifting and following solid nutrition guidelines.

 

[fitnesspremed]

Obviously fitness is very important to me as well- I talked about it a lot in my personal statement. I think especially if you overcame a physical barrier (such as, in my case, obesity, poor fitness, crappy genetics when it comes to weight) and became very fit, it is really important. I believe a lot of someone's drive and self esteem comes from exercise if they really have to push themselves.
So go for it, even in the activities section- I had to account for that 3 hours a day somewhere, adcoms have got to wonder where all this time goes haha!
PS. you all think that everyone who works out is automatically stick thin?? I fight the good fight everyday for three hours and would by no means be considered skinny- but I think the sincerity in your interview, good health, and strong build is what shows them you are dedicated. I'm the head personal trainer at my gym, and let me tell you, genetics DO NOT allow everyone to be nicole richie.

 

[voirlesetoiles]

Save it for the interview if they ask about your hobbies or your goals. Unless you participated in club sports or competed in something, no one really cares if you went to the gym every day. As a premed, it's kind of assumed that you care about diet and fitness.

 

[emquiksilver]

As a premed, it's kind of assumed that you care about diet and fitness.

😕 That's almost as bad as saying premeds are all science majors, another bad assumption.

 

[trichomoniasis]

As a premed, it's kind of assumed that you care about diet and fitness.

yeah because doctors never

become alcoholics
smoke
speed on the freeway
do drugs
become fat (or stay fat)
go without sleep
put off doctor visits (wrap your mind around that one)

am I forgetting any other human traits that doctors apparently are not plagued by?

 

[coralfangs]

yeah because doctors never

become alcoholics
smoke
speed on the freeway
do drugs
become fat (or stay fat)
go without sleep
put off doctor visits (wrap your mind around that one)

am I forgetting any other human traits that doctors apparently are not plagued by?

lol, I have been or still being plagued by most of those things...

 

[apnea]

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).

That has to be the best phrase ever.

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."

These people are called "dentists."