Campus recreational facilities offer no excuses for students not to stay in shape
Before the sun comes up, and when most students are sleeping, the Fieldhouse is filled with early birds running the cardiovascular machines, playing basketball and pumping iron. Whatever the time, students are getting out there and using campus facilities to stay fit.
Colette Childs, a sophomore majoring in math education, said she’s at the Fieldhouse every day at 6 a.m.
“It is the best time of the day and no one is here,” Childs said. “I get everything done before class.”
From students looking to swim laps in the morning or lift weights in the afternoon, Utah State University has something for just about everyone. Recreation around campus offers a variety of facilities and programs for students to take advantage of, including everything from a rock-climbing gym to iintramural swimming.
The Campus Recreation Program has access to two facilities, the HPER Building and the Nelson Recreation Center (better known as the Fieldhouse).
The HPER or the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building is a full-service fitness center with three gymnasiums, six racquetball courts, table tennis, an aerobics room, weight room, steam rooms, lockers and showers, two pools and more. All of these amenities are available to students, faculty and staff with an ID card. Although some facilities are used for classes, they all have open times as well.
Bart Miller, a graduate student studying accounting, works part time at the desk in the HPER weight room. He said he never used the weight room in four years of school until he worked there.
“They do not advertise their facilities enough,” Miller said.
He said it wasn’t until he worked at the HPER that he learned how user-friendly the services were.
“I always was told by others that the weight room had classes most of the time, but there are few classes and they are mostly in the morning,” he said.
He pointed out that the hours of the weight room are posted on the door outside.
For students concerned about a crowded weight room, Miller said the HPER weight room is only busy in the early afternoon until about 6:30 p.m.
The Fieldhouse is now the most popular fitness center because of its renovation last year. Just across the street from the HPER, the Fieldhouse features a 200-meter running track, basketball courts, tennis courts, table tennis, rock-climbing gym, cardiovascular/weight rooms, lockers and showers. The renovated second level has high ceilings, large windows and all new cardio and weight machines.
Tiffany Jones, an undeclared freshman, works at the desk in the cardio room.
“The Fieldhouse has more weight and cardio machines than the HPER,” Jones said.
She said the cardio room is usually busy during early evening hours until around 7 p.m.
Cameron Christensen, an undeclared sophomore, said he goes to the Fieldhouse every other day.
“I need to workout. I feel fat and lazy if I don’t,” he said.
Campus recreation also offers a handful of intramural sports. Even though some registration deadlines have passed, there are still many options open this semester including a triathalon, indoor soccer, three-on-three basketball, racquetball and more.
Call 797-1504 for intramural sports info or pick up a campus recreation events calendar available in the Fieldhouse and HPER buildings.
Hours of the facilities are posted in the entrances of both buildings. The facilities also have blue campus recreation pamphlets at most of the reception desks with more information, hours and phone numbers.
-joelfeathers@cc.usu.edu
Andrew Powers, a senior majoring in engineering, and Cody Green, a senior majoring in biology, lift weights in the Fieldhouse, which was renovated last Spring semester. (Photo by K’Leena Murphy)