The Recreation Centers on campus are a great place to meet new people, build community, explore new hobbies and stay active! Here’s everything you need to know about going to The Rec this year!
1. Recreation facilities
The Main Student Recreation Center and Williams Village Recreation Center are both open to all full-fee paying students and other paying members, like staff, faculty and alumni. Each Rec Center is equipped with a variety of exercise equipment, including weightlifting, cardio, functional fitness and more.
2. Fitness classes and training
Fitness & Wellness offers a variety of group classes and training opportunities to help you stay motivated, find a workout buddy and work toward your goals. Here are some options to check out this year.
Group fitness classes: Purchase a Be Fit Pass to access over 60 group fitness classes each week, including yoga, cycle, cardio, strength and more. The Be Fit Pass early bird sale ends on Sept. 4. If you want to try out classes for free, be sure to join Connect at the Rec from Aug. 20 through Sept. 3.
Personal training: Meet your fitness goals this year with the help of a certified personal trainer. You can work with a personal trainer one-on-one or with a friend. Fitness assessments are also available through Training Services.
Small group training: Join a small group training class to improve your strength, cardio or flexibility with one-on-one guidance from a certified personal trainer. You’ll be able to meet new people and workout with the same group each week! All required equipment is included. You can also try out dance classes for free from Aug. 28–Sept. 10 or martial arts classes Sept. 4–Sept. 11.
3. Outdoor adventures
One of the perks of living in Boulder is our unencumbered access to the great outdoors. If you’re interested in getting outside, Outdoor Pursuits is here to help you get started or keep going.
Trips and courses: There are a number of outdoor trips and courses available throughout the semester that cover a wide variety of activities, including hiking, backpacking, climbing, avalanche safety and more.
Wilderness workshops: Take advantage of the Wilderness Workshop series to learn basic outdoor skills, like backcountry cooking, animal tracking, plant identification, survival skills and more.
Equipment rentals: Planning your own outdoor adventure? You can rent a variety of outdoor equipment to bring with you! The Outdoor Equipment Rental Center provides camping, climbing, water and winter equipment rentals to students, staff and faculty.
Adventure Resource Center: The Adventure Resource Center helps students plan and execute their outdoor adventures. This is a great place to get trail and activity recommendations, custom maps, meal planning support and more.
4. Competitive sports
Sports can be a fun way to stay active, meet new friends and find your community on campus. Here are a couple of ways you can get involved in sports at CU Boulder.
Intramural (IM) Sports: The Rec Center offers multiple Intramural Sports leagues throughout the semester. Registration for Session I leagues is available Wednesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 14. You can sign up as a team or join a team as a free agent by purchasing a semester or annual Sports Pass. No experience is required to play, and all ability levels are welcome.
Sport Clubs: Compete against other colleges and universities through Sport Clubs. CU Boulder currently offers 30 different men’s, women’s and co-ed teams. Informational meetings will be held in August and early September. Please note, some teams may also require tryouts.
5. Try something new
While it can be intimidating to put yourself out there or try something new, it can also help you build confidence and find new passions or interests. The Rec Center offers free inclusive events and supportive communities to help you get started.
Inclusive Rec: Inclusive Rec hosts a number of free events throughout the semester to promote inclusion, allyship and connection. Plus, they’re a lot of fun! Upcoming events include an international student hike, pride skate, adaptive training, novice night at the climbing gym and more.
Free Friday Power Hour: Want to join a group fitness class but don’t have a Be Fit Pass? The Rec offers a free class every Friday as part of Free Friday Power Hour! This is a great way to explore different types of fitness classes and try something new.
Work at The Rec: That’s right—we’re hiring! Gain valuable job experience, leadership skills and build friendships by applying to work at the Rec Center. Work study is also available.