The Crimson White Print Edition - August 24, 2023

6A
sports
The ins and outs of UA’s Student Rec Center
Orry Cantrell
Staff Writer
Getting into a healthy and
consistent routine is
important for maintaining
mental health and ensuring
academic success. One of
the most important parts of
a healthy routine is exercise.
Maintaining your physical
health during the semester is
just as important as studying
and making it to class on
time. The best place on
campus to get started is the
Student Recreation Center.
Getting to know the Rec
Also known as simply “the
Rec,” the Student Recreation
Center offers a multitude of
machines, equipment and
spaces to satisfy anyone’s
fitness needs.
Everyone at the Rec is
there for different reasons.
Some are there to get
stronger and build muscle.
Some are there to lose
weight and get in shape.
Others are there just to have
fun with friends and enjoy
themselves. Whatever your
reason may be for visiting,
you’ll find an area of the Rec
that suits your goals.
In the workout area,
you’ll find dozens of
different machines and
racks, covering just about
every muscle group. There is
also a rack of dumbbells that
weigh anywhere from 5 to
110 pounds that can be used
for a variety of exercises.
For those looking to get
some cardio in, the upstairs
area is where you’ll find all
the treadmills, ellipticals
and stair climbers. This is
also where you can access
the indoor track area.
The Rec also has several
basketball courts where
there are almost always
pickup games to join in on.
There are usually some goals
open for those just looking to
The Student Recreation Center is located at 400 Peter Bryce Blvd. in Tuscaloosa, Ala. CW / Natalie Teat
get some shots up, too. This
area of the Rec also includes
several racquetball courts.
In addition to these courts,
there are tennis courts
outside where students and
faculty can use the newly
added pickleball nets.
With all these different
options for getting active at
the Rec, some students may
be intimidated or confused,
but the staff is always ready
to help with anything you
may need.
“If you don’t know what
you’re doing, you can always
ask one of us up at the front
desk,” said Wil Klosterman, a
senior and UREC employee.
“Part of our job is to show
people around and how to
use the equipment.”
The Rec also offers
several different services
and programs to students
and faculty. Beginners
who may need some help
and guidance starting
their fitness journeys can
hire personal trainers on
the University Recreation
website.
Things to know
Going to the Rec can be
an enjoyable experience,
but there are some things to
know that will enable you to
make the most out of
your time.
First of all, the Rec can
be intimidating for some,
especially those new to
fitness, due to the number
of people you will be sharing
the facility with.
While the Rec does get
fairly crowded at certain
times in the day, there are
times when things are less
hectic and more machines
and equipment will be open
for use. Going earlier in the
morning or later at night is
a good idea if you’re looking
to avoid a big crowd. Most
students and faculty seem
to make their way to the Rec
in the afternoon hours, after
they are done with class for
the day. On the weekends,
the busiest hours are still in
the afternoon.
Next, newcomers need
to know that everyone they
see working out at the Rec
is at a different point in
their fitness journeys. You
will see people working out
for the first time, as well as
some people who have been
working out for years.
It’s important to know
that the Rec is a place where
everyone goes to have a
positive experience and
enjoy themselves, not to
judge others. You may feel
insecure because you aren’t
lifting as much weight as
the person next to you, or
maybe you can’t run on
the treadmill for as long as
someone else.
But, as sophomore UREC
worker and nursing major
Adaline Sellers says, most
people in the Rec are focused
on their own workout, not
whatever you’re doing.
“Don’t worry about what
people are going to think
about you,” she said. “Most
likely they aren’t looking at
you anyways.”
Another thing to
remember is that you will
need your ACT Card to gain
access to the facility. If
you’re a new member of the
Rec, the membership may
take some time to process
in the system, so the card
may not work immediately,
according to Carson Hayes,
a sophomore advertising
major who works for UREC.
“If you tap it and
it doesn’t work, the
membership office is open
Monday through Friday,”
he said.
This shouldn’t be a
problem for most students,
however, as access to the
Rec is included in tuition for
students who are registered
for at least five credit hours
during the semester. All a
student needs to do is scan
their ACT Card at the front.
The Student Rec
Center’s Hours
Monday-Thursday
5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday
5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday
9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Robert E. Witt Student
Activity Center Hours
Monday-Thursday
7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
ACCIDENT & CRIMINAL DEFENSE
205.454.7500
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Friday
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday
9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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