If the “freshman 15” has you worried, visiting the Florida Atlantic campus Recreation & Fitness Center could be for you. Frequented by over 14,000 students every year (according to the Department of Campus Recreation’s annual reports), the 77,000-square-foot facility is a central part of the healthy living culture. With fitness classes, competitive sports, cardio machines and more, every visitor can get fit with their activity of choice.

Are there classes? Which ones?

The center does offer group fitness classes, which are at a first come, first serve basis. You will need a group fitness pass to enter. These can be obtained for free at the front desk up to an hour before the class.

Classes are usually held in the studios across from the basketball courts and all members with a pass are welcome to participate. Make sure to get to the class five minutes before, or you risk being locked out.

Classes include:

Zumba, Bootcamp workouts, Spinning & Cycling,

Yoga, Pilates, Core training, TRX (suspension).

See http://www.fau.edu/campusrec/fitness/schedule.php for a full schedule of classes and instructors.

What equipment can I rent from the Rec?

The front desk has sports equipment available for use both in and out of the Rec center. All you need is a student ID. Basketballs (both men’s and women’s sizes), volleyballs, Badminton equipment, weight belts, footballs and jump ropes can be provided to you. Towels to catch your sweat can also be rented for use on the machines.

Make sure to return all rented equipment, especially if used outside the rec, or you will receive a late fee.

There is also a pro shop to purchase objects like hand wraps (needed to enter the area with punching bags) and gloves, among other needs.

What sports do they have at the Rec?

Basketball is a staple at the Rec, but with three courts, there can sometimes be a wait. Weekday nights are the best time to go for games, as you won’t have to struggle to find players. To shoot alone, mornings can’t be beat.

If outdoor ball is your preference, there are four outdoor courts next to the baseball stadium. The courts are lit at night until 11 p.m. and all you need is your own ball. Tennis Courts are also located next to the baseball field. The six courts also have lights.

Volleyball nets are put up from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, and Badminton can be played from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Sand Volleyball courts are located at Parliament Hall, Innovation Village, in the Athletics Complex (near the track) and near Indian River Towers.

Also offered are various intramural leagues and tournaments. From Floor Hockey and Dodgeball to Kickball and indoor soccer, a wide variety of opportunities exist for all students. All you need to register for a league is your Owl card. For recreational sports, campus recreation provides the rest of the equipments.

Worth noting for competitive leagues is a $30 forfeit fee will need to be taken out by your team before your first game. The charge will only be used if your team fails to appear for a scheduled contest, otherwise it will not be taken.

What Intramural/Club sports are at FAU? 

There are multiple sports clubs on campus. Club sports are sports not sponsored by the NCAA, a secondary team to the varsity, or a sport that FAU does not participate in at a varsity level. Most Club sports meet during the week for practice, and compete against other university’s club teams in the area.

Recently, an outdoor adventure ropes and climbing course was being built next to the FAU track.

Also, a sand volleyball pit by the track was recently built and was finished during the spring semester. As for the building itself, there are currently no plans for any expansion.

The gym is always adding new equipment when needed, so be sure to look out for new ways to work out.

Best Places To Run: On and around Campus

Maybe weights or basketball isn’t your thing. Running is a great cardio workout for anyone, and is an accessible workout that’s easy to do. Our guide can help you find the trail that’s right for you.

Note: Wherever you run, make sure to always be aware of your surroundings, stay hydrated and run against traffic, never with it.

On Campus

Distance: Varies

If you live on campus, nothing is easier than just going outside and having a run around the campus. If you choose to run around the main roads that surround the interior buildings of campus, that’s about 2.5-2.8 miles per lap.

Running at night is the best way to avoid the heat and traffic, but make sure to watch out for sprinklers in the path. No one likes to get soggy mid-run.

FAU’s track is another place to run, especially if you like to know how far you’re running. Open until midnight during the week, the track is a good place to run if you don’t want to take to the roads. Each lap is 1/4th of a mile.

The Football Stadium is great for incline training or if you want to run stairs. The stadium is open from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. during the week, except on game days and closed practices (usually the day before home games).

Parking garages are also great for running, as the inclines are great for sprint training. Be aware that there are lots of cars during the day, so reserve usage during the nights and on weekends.

El Rio Trail

Distance: 4.5 miles

Running alongside the outside of campus, the El Rio Trail is great for both bicyclists and runners alike. An entrance on Glades Road as well as Spanish River Boulevard make it easy to access.

The route itself is a straight path, with a few bends with the terrain. The El Rio Canal runs next to the path, providing a home for many animals, as well as a place to fish.

If you like road running, the asphalt trail will make you feel right at home.  The trail is a little narrow in some places, so make sure to stay tight if you run in a group for the sake of other people. The trail sees the most traffic on the weekends, so be sure to plan for a weekday if you want an uncrowded trail.

As the path is not lit at night, avoid running there late at night. There is also ongoing construction and fixing of the asphalt, so be aware of detours on the route.

Local Beaches

Distance: varies

Being so close to the beach, it would be strange not to think about the possibility of running there.

Beach sand is great for providing resistance, whether you’re sprinting or taking a long jog. The lack of a structured path also means that you get to select the length your route. Being by a scenic view of the Atlantic ocean doesn’t hurt either.

One of the closest beaches, Spanish River, is just a 15 minute drive from campus and offers a wide open expanse for cyclists and runners to use.

But the beach is another place to avoid running at night, as the it’s not lit at all after dark.

Also, be aware of running on the beach during the day, as many people dot the beach and sunbathe or hang out. Running by the water is a good way to avoid kicking up sand into other people and running over blankets.

Good Area gyms for commuters

Almost 94 percent of students are commuters at FAU, so not everyone in the area will get to use the rec. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for you to use in the area. Below are three gyms/studios that are sure to provide a great workout without hurting your pocket.

Crossfit Hard Core

Multiple locations in Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Delray Beach

crossfithardcore.com

Crossfit promotes using multiple workout disciplines to increase gains and promote a complete level of fitness. With a high intensity and fast pace, you’ll definitely get one of the hardest workouts of your life.

Crossfit Hard Core brings that dicipline to the area with eight “boxes” (Gyms) in the Palm Beach and Broward county area. The boxes are open seven days a week, and offer a variety of group classes at various skill levels so that everyone can get into it. Yoga and running form classes are also available as well.

Students who join are able to do so at a discounted rate of $95 dollars a month, receiving unlimited access to all normal crossfit classes, E-WOD (running) and yoga. Other classes are extra, but are also unlimited for the month. Drop in single class rates are $20 a class.

Members also have access to all boxes in the area, and can attend a class at any one of the gyms.

Youfit Gyms

Boca Town Center

6000 Glades Road

www.youfit.com/

Like many Gyms in the area, Youfit boasts some of the latest equipment and technology, including TVs and Apple docking stations on cardio equipment, as well as plenty of colorful weight machines to satisfy your circuit training needs.

Their price tag is what separates them from the competition. Starting at $10, you can get access to one Youfit location, as well as a fitness assessment by one of their trainers to find your exercise needs. For $10 more, you get access to all Youfit locations, as well as half price smoothies at the smoothie bar, guest privileges at your home gym and a locked-in rate per month.

Youfit also offers group fitness classes, but there is a $5 fee per class if you don’t have a Lime Card.

The month-to-month membership means you don’t have to be committed to a paid membership over a long time. Be aware that there is a $40 once a year fee that has to be paid during your membership.

If you are unsure of buying a pass, the gym offers a one day guest pass available on their website so you can try before you buy.

Located in the second floor of the Boca Town Center Mall, there is reserved parking for members in the Nordstrom parking garage. YouFit also has locations in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs.

Yoga South

3500 NW Boca Raton Blvd

YogaSouth.net

Yoga participants in the area can get their fix at Yoga South. Located less than two miles from campus, the studio offers classes for all skill levels and hosts instructors that are willing to help you reach your potential.

Classes last 60 to 90 minutes, so be sure to clear your schedule if you are busy.

Usually costing $17 a class, students get 20 percent off when they purchase classes. Also available is a deal of two months of unlimited yoga classes for $140 dollars. There’s also an infrared sauna, good for 20 or 40 minute sessions.

Mats and towels are available to rent, but you can also bring your own. The classes are not hot yoga, so if you are looking for that this studio is not the right fit.

But, If you are looking for a varied schedule of affordable classes, Yoga South will bend over backwards for you (literally).

When you first arrive on campus as a new student, you might get an itch to play some of the sports you did while you were back in high school. Only problem is, you might not know where to start. Whether you’re looking to compete or just have fun, FAU’s intramural sports serve as a great way to stay in shape and meet new friends on campus.