"Year One: Life at ASU" is a periodic photo series following five freshmen navigating their first year at ASU. This installment checks in on Shuo Zhang as the student from China stays fit physically and mentally.
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After a week of midterm tests, Arizona State University freshman Shuo Zhang goes for one of his regular workout sessions. Here, Zhang locks his bike at the Polytechnic campus’ Sun Devil Fitness Complex, on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. It's time for a 2-hour workout.
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Zhang starts slowly, but builds up his speed during a 30-minute run on the treadmill. His usual routine is building up his pace to a "fast" run that he sustains for several minutes. After that, he slows the speed for a cool down. He says running is his favorite part of the workout — he was a member of his primary school's track team.
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Zhang takes in some water after a stint on the treadmill at the Polytechnic campus’ Sun Devil Fitness Complex. Up next, 20 minutes on a recumbent bike before an hour or so lifting weights.
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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After finishing the cardio workout, Zhang works on his core with an abdominal machine at the Polytechnic campus’ Sun Devil Fitness Complex. "You know, I know I'm not that strong," he says. "I'm a little bit thin and I'm not a big guy, but I have muscles."
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Zhang wipes the sweat from his eyes while working on the machines at the Polytechnic campus’ Sun Devil Fitness Complex. He says, with a laugh, "My mom said I'm not throwing up, so I need to work out harder."
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Right after finishing the midterm test for his German class, Zhang arrives at Christian Challenge on Oct. 8, 2015. The evangelical group is a national collegiate program affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention that aims to connect college Christians with the community.
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Zhang takes a turn on the pingpong table before the Christian Challenge worship service begins. He learned how to play table tennis from his father, who he says is really good at the sport
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Zhang cracks up while talking with Brandon Reimus at the Christian Challenge worship night. Reimus is a senior in Interdisciplinary studies, with emphasis on philosophy and sociology. Zhang says the people at these Christian Challenge events are really nice and he enjoys his time with them.
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Zhang joins more than 50 other students at the Christian Challenge worship night. He says Christianity is not common in China, but he was well aware of the religion's foundation.
"Before I came here I knew about the Bible and Jesus. I like that it's about love and forgiveness. It's not a bad thing, so why not give a try?"
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Zhang listens to a talk on the Book of John at the Christian Challenge worship night on ASU's Tempe campus. He will need to leave before the social games in order to catch a shuttle back to his Polytechnic campus residence.
Charlie Leight/ASU Now
See what Shuo was up to earlier in the semester in these past galleries:
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