Do you have goals this new year to lead a more active lifestyle? If so, University Recreation, known as UREC, could be your new best friend. UREC offers a large lineup of programs to get you moving towards a healthy life.
UREC is available to all UA students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. It has three main facilities: the Student Recreation Center, the Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center, and the Aquatic Center. Each facility offers many unique programs, and UREC recently announced an all-inclusive membership, which includes access to all three facilities.
According to UREC staff, group exercise is the perfect environment for anyone getting into, or getting back into, fitness. They offer nearly 150 free classes each week, for those with a membership, including several classes that are new this semester.
One of the new classes being offered this semester is ROM, a 30-minute class that gives the body a dynamic stretch. In addition, several new water fitness classes are being offered, including Aqua Barre, Water Boot Camp, Aqua Sculpt, and Deep Water. For a full list of the group-exercise classes offered through UREC, visit their website.
Another new program being offered this semester, for an additional fee, is Morning Meltdown, a six-week fitness program through BAMAFIT, where you can flip tires, swing sledgehammers and overcome obstacles in a fun and gritty workout. Each exercise session is designed by nationally certified trainers to burn calories, build strength and improve physical fitness.
Perhaps group exercise isn’t your thing, and you prefer sweating solo. If so, you may want to check out the weight rooms, cardio rooms, sport courts, pools, climbing walls or indoor track. And for those who need a little extra push, personal trainers are available to members for an additional fee.
If you would rather enjoy nature as part of your workout, UREC offers several opportunities for outdoor recreation, including the rental of bikes, paddle boards, kayaks, sleeping bags and more. They also plan several guided trips and clinics throughout the year.
To avoid the crowd, UREC staff says it’s best to come in the mornings, as their busiest times are between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Membership is $28 per month for the UA community. Other fees apply for personal trainers and certain classes and programs.
UREC’s hours vary by facility. Visit the UREC website for more information on hours, locations and all they have available.