Exercising during a semester in Spain

My name is Sietse, and I am 22 years old. Currently, I am in the final year of my Finance & Control degree, also known as Business Economics. For the next five months, I am an intern at JongLeren.es. I enjoy staying active in my free time, not only to unwind but also to keep myself mentally and physically sharp.

Why?
Around 2,400 kilometers north of Málaga, in the ‘Low Countries’, you can often find me in the gym and the pool. I practice fitness individually and play water polo as part of a team, aiming to train five to six times per week. For me, exercising is an important way to stay fit, both mentally and physically. It serves as an outlet after a long day, a moment for myself, and often the place where I come up with new ideas or insights.

I believe everyone should exercise, regardless of the intensity or frequency. Why? Because it’s incredibly good for your physical and emotional well-being, especially when you find yourself in a completely new and unfamiliar environment for an extended period, far from home!

A new adventure can be exciting, and you’ll undoubtedly need time to adjust. Turning off your thoughts and engaging in exercise really helps with this process. Plus, your body produces endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine during a workout—important hormones that are great for your health.

Costs
In my experience, gyms in Spain tend to be more expensive than local gyms or Basic-Fit in the Netherlands. In Málaga city and other places in the surroundings, there are plenty of options like Basic-Fit, Reebok, GO fit, VivaGym, and smaller local gyms. I personally work out at Forus Málaga, located in the heart of the city near the dried-up river. The great thing is they offer a wide variety of facilities and a monthly cancelable membership for €51.50 (cancellation before the 25th of each month).

Their offerings include:

• Fitness gym
• 25-meter swimming pool with 8 lanes (the most important for me!)
• Group classes for dance, yoga, crossfit, body balance, boxing
• Outdoor space
  A hall for football, basketball, etc. And much more

The choice is yours, depending on your budget, of course, but plan to spend at least €35–60 per month.

Conclusion and Tip
Exercising is good for you. Flip that switch, sign up for a membership quickly, or find another activity that interests you and make this time in Spain the best time of your life!