Gym-timidated? We're here to help you!
Worried about working out? Unsure about what to do or concerned about feeling awkward? Gym-timidation is real and we are here to help you through it. At Campus Recreation we are serious about our goal to make sure the Student Recreation Center is a great place on campus for every single Ram, no matter your body type, athletic ability, or past fitness experience. Come by and take a tour with one of our knowledgeable student staff members, watch our workout videos on YouTube, and don’t be afraid to ask our staff questions. We’ve all been new to something before, and we promise you’ll be happy you took the leap.
Rec Ramble Podcast
Hosted by two CSU students, Rec Ramble is a space to discuss the difficult topics around health and wellness, such as body image, race, and access to health. Tune in via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all other major streaming platforms!
Personal Training
If you need a little more one-on-one assistance, a personal training session is for you. Our certified Personal Trainers are all CSU students, which means you’ll be guided by a peer through your workouts.
Night at the Rec
Each fall, Campus Recreation hosts 1,000’s of incoming students during Ram Welcome week at Night at the Rec. Stop by (held the Saturday evening prior to the start of classes in August) to talk to experts from each area of the Rec.
Rec Lingo
Circuit-Training
Performing a series of exercises, one after the other, with minimal rest
Cycling
A group cardio workout led by a certified instructor using stationary exercise bikes
Drop-Sets
Performing a set to failure, then removing a small percentage of the weight and continuing with the set
Functional Training
Training the body for the activities performed in daily life
Gains
Increasing in muscle size or being able to lift more weight
HIIT
High-Intensity Interval Training. Alternating bursts of intense activity with low intensity recovery periods. Also known as interval training
Max
The maximum amount of weight someone can lift for at least one rep in an exercise
Recovery
Rest period to let the body relax and heal
Reps
Short for repetitions, or how many times you perform an exercise within a set
Sets
A cycle of exercises. For example: 3 sets of 10 push-up reps means you do 30 push-ups total with breaks between each 10
Spot
When you aid someone in their workout
Supersets
When you do 2 or more exercises without a rest period (squat sets right to leg press sets)
Tabata
Style of interval training that includes 20 seconds of high intensity exercise and 10 seconds of rest for 8 minutes per round
“Can I get a spot?”
Means you would like assistance with your lift
“How many sets?”
Means you want to know how much longer someone is going to be using a particular piece of equipment
“Can I work in?”
Means you want to get a set in on a piece of equipment while someone is resting between their sets
“What are you lifting today?”
Means you want to know what major muscle groups someone is working out that day (e.g. leg day)
General Info & Pro Tips
Want to plan a hiking trip but not sure where to start? Our Outdoor Program (OP) is here to help – located next to the Climbing Wall in the Student Recreation Center lobby.
The OP student employees will happily assist you with finding the perfect hike or signing up for a trip led by our highly trained staff! If you don’t have the equipment you need, you can rent items through our Outdoor Gear Rental (OGR) program.
The Outdoor Program offers events for all skill levels and interests! From climbing to hiking to skiing, you name it! OP trips are also a great way to meet new people, experience nature with fellow rams, and leave with a memory you’ll never forget!
Not sure what to wear to the gym? There’s lots to choose from! Comfort and confidence should be your top priorities, but here are a few suggestions for different types of activities:
Lifting
Since lifting often involves bending down a lot, flexible attire is a good choice.
Top: Tank top or t-shirt
Bottom: Leggings, sweatpants, or athletic shorts
Shoes: Choose footwear that gives you good balance, such as running shoes
Group Class
Group classes tend to be sweaty, so make sure to wear something that your body can breathe in.
Top: Tank top or t-shirt
Bottom: Athletic shorts or leggings
Shoes: Wear shoes that you can jump/run in and that you’ll be comfortable wearing for at least an hour
Rock Climbing
Climbing requires flexibility, so wear something that you can move freely in.
Top: T-shirt or tank top
Bottom: Athletic shorts or leggings
Shoes: Climbing requires dedicated climbing shoes. You can rent these out at the equipment desk or bring your own
Running
Top: A breathable shirt, such as a tank top
Bottom: Leggings or athletic shorts
Shoes: Running shoes
Swimming
The aquatics facility is an inclusive space. Whatever you choose to wear, you will not be judged, and if you feel unsafe, you can approach the lifeguard or use our chat-box feature on this page to message a Rec supervisor.
For the pool/hot tub: Wear a bathing suit that you feel comfortable in. This may include, but is not limited to, a one-piece suit, a two-piece suit, water shorts and a top, or a water top over your bathing suit.
Drop-in Sports
This depends on the sport, but there are many combinations that will work just fine
Top: T-shirt
Bottom: Shorts/leggings
Shoes: Running Shoes
Locker Room Locations
All-Gender Changing Rooms: First floor, near the Equipment Desk
Women: First floor, across from Studio 1
Men: First floor, near the Main Gym and Studio 2
Locker Rentals
You can rent a locker at the Service Center (pending availability). Rental fees vary. Click here for more information.
You can rent a locker out for one, two, or three semesters. We offer different sizes, including full lockers (6ft. tall), half lockers (3ft. tall), size F lockers (12″ x 24″ x 18″), and size D lockers (12″ x 15″ x 18″).
Locker Locations
Full and half lockers are located inside the locker rooms.
Size F & D lockers are located outside the locker rooms throughout the facility.
ADA lockers and lockers in the all-gender changing area are available upon request.
Privacy vs. group exercise: Members can use a studio if it is empty but must leave 10 minutes before the start of any scheduled event in the space.
If you want to book a studio for a private event, follow this link.
The climbing wall routes are revamped each week so you never run out of new routes to climb! The best part? It’s all included in your membership! Shoes and other gear are free to rent, and we offer belay tests so you can get certified to belay your friends safely!
See the climbing page for more information.
Campus Rec offers Intramural Sports! Our IM Sports Program offers different sport leagues throughout the semester for members to participate in. For a $10 fee each semester, you can sign up for as many sports as you would like.
Don’t have enough players to form your own team? No worries! Put your name on the free agent list and teams that need more players will reach out to you. We also offer Sport Clubs and Drop-In Sports; Sport Clubs are more of a time commitment, but well worth it. Drop-In Sports are based on your schedule—attend whenever you have the time!
