Recreation center offers wide variety of activities

The SSU Recreation Center contains many different amenities for everyone, whether it be the fully stocked weight room or the full-sized basketball courts that lay underneath the indoor track.

Upon walking into the campus Recreation Center, students are greeted by a friendly staff as well as a life-size Chuck Norris cardboard cutout.

"I really enjoy working at the Rec. It's a friendly environment full of students," said Marcela Hunter, a Recreation Center employee.

"There is so much opportunity for growth, regardless if you are a staff member or participant."

One of the main attractions of the SSU Recreation Center is the 38-foot-high rock wall just to the right of the entrance.

Unlike other fitness centers, the Recreation Center tries their best to charge as little as possible for the usage of their facilities that do require payment--which is not much.

During the posted hours, participants may use the rock wall for three dollars for as long as the rock wall is open, which covers the costs to rent out the equipment for the rock wall.

Also, among the SSU Recreation Center is the weight room that houses many different styles of exercises, ranging from free weights, cardio machines to medicine balls and elliptical machines.

"One of my favorite things about the campus rec. is probably cardio alley," said junior Caitlin Connolly. "I love looking out the glass windows from that point, and also being able to watch people on the rock wall."

The air-conditioned weight room is one of the more popular destinations inside of the Recreation Center.

The two full-sized basketball courts beneath the indoor track can also double-up as volleyball courts for intramural sports or pick-up volleyball games as well.

The indoor track that looks over the basketball courts is unique in the sense that it is smaller than a normal track, roughly 14 laps making up one mile.

"I really like the basketball courts and the intramural sports that they run," said senior Brian Butler. "Oh and I also like the atmosphere of the weight room and how they have everything there for you to use."

SSU's Recreation Center also contains the popular indoor soccer court to the left of the main entrance of the building, where games can be played between the rounded walls that allow for continuous play without stoppage.

"I think it is a good way to get involved in a different kind of soccer that most people are used to," said senior Jason Lauterbach. "It's also pretty cool because you can play basketball in there if the other courts are full."

One of the most unique aspects of SSU's Recreation Center is the environmentally friendly architecture of the building.

Natural sunlight powers much of the Recreation Center throughout the day, as many large windows allow sunlight to pour in.

Along with the natural sunlight coming in is a mechanism within the lighting fixtures that can determine the amount of light entering the building, and dim themselves accordingly.

The base of the rock wall is made up of ground-up tires to create a cushioned landing for those utilizing the rock wall.

Benches located upstairs of the building are made out of old seatbelts from cars, and the tables adjacent to the track were constructed of old money—giving them their green tint.

The Recreation Center has something for everyone.

If the main goal is to relax and get away from the academic stresses of the semester, the locker rooms contain a large spa to help and ease away tension—not to mention the personal masseuses that the Recreation Center has to offer as well.

Ping-Pong tables as well as billiards tables are available for students to compete on for free.

The Recreation Center promotes health in several ways, physical health namely, but mental health as well.

The services of the Recreation Center extend outside of the doors of the building, however.

Within the Outdoor Pursuits program, many different trips are offered for students to embark on, whether it be hiking for a day through the Armstrong Woods or backpacking for a weekend with friends—all at a very reasonable price.

InMotion classes are offered at the Recreation Center as well, ranging from spin classes, to yoga, aerobics and kickboxing.

"The spin class was really hard but I loved it!" said senior Amber Jerome. "It was like riding a bike but way better. You could adjust the speed and the instructor made the time go by so fast."

Also, intramural sports are put on through the Recreation Center all throughout the year for those whom would like to have some friendly competition and stay active at the same time.

The endless services of the SSU Recreation Center will prove to be beneficial to anyone's needs, whether it is hitting the weights, climbing the rock wall or going on a backpacking excursion, everyone can have a part in this facility.