Posts

Summer Orientation FAQ

This year’s summer orientations entailed a variety of information booths hosted by academic colleges, university departments, and campus resources. Orientation events provide an opportunity for first year and transfer students to gain answers on their most pressing questions. The Student Recreation center received several questions from curious first-year students. Listed below are some answers to our most asked questions. 

 

  •   What are the Student Recreation Center’s hours?

During Fall and Spring semesters, the Student Recreation Center is open Monday through Friday from 6AM-8PM. On Saturdays 8AM-8PM, Sundays 12-8PM.

  •    What do the outdoor programs provide? 

Outdoor programs offer a variety of guided trips, classes, and events each semester. Introductory classes include trips to learn how to backpack, ski, and rock climb. There are also a variety of day activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, trail running, or ice climbing. The Outdoor Program desk (located in the recreation center) can provide information on trip registration, transportation, lodging, and guidance from instructors.

  •    How do you get a student membership, what does a membership include?

Students enrolled in six or more on campus credits pay full time student fees that include a Campus Recreation membership. There are affiliate and employee memberships, as well as guest passes. A membership grants access to the Student Recreation Center’s facilities, including the cardio and weight spaces, climbing wall, aquatic center (pool, spa, steam room, sauna), locker rooms, and use of gyms and studios (mat room, main gym, MAC gym, studios 1-4, cycling studio).

  • Does CSU provide ski and snowboarding trips?

Yes! The Student Recreation Center provides introductory ski and snowboarding trips through their outdoor programs. Individuals can pay a one-time fee and they are offered transportation, introductory classes, and equipment. Campus Recreation also has alpine and nordic ski sport club teams. Beyond just the Campus Recreation resources, there are other opportunities not offered by the rec on-campus such as ski/snowboarding clubs and SkiSU.

Outdoor photo of the Rec lit up during the evening

 Where can I learn about sport clubs?

The best resource for gaining more information on sport clubs would be through the website or the rec’s sports club office. As for first-year students, or anyone else interested in joining a team, there are informational sessions held by sport club teams at the beginning of the year!

  • What are the group fitness classes, and do you have to pay?

Campus recreation offers a variety of group fitness classes that are included in the membership. Group fitness classes can be accessed through either the registration portal or the campus recreation app. The Rec provides various classes including: group fitness, yoga, cycling, and many more classes! 

/by
,

I Tried the Full Moon Hike and Rock Climbing Trips

Hey Rec'ing Rams!

Let’s be honest, the CSU Rec Center can feel uncomfortable for new members.

I know from personal experience that going to a new gym or class can be intimidating, and it’s totally ok if you feel the same.

Taking group classes might seem like an extra challenge in this respect, but you shouldn’t have to feel that way.

In this new series, I am on a mission to try and review group classes at the Rec so that going in and taking one feels less daunting.

In a special edition of the “I Try” series, our digital media assistant, Mia Carrillo, is sharing her experience with the Full Moon Hike and Rock Climbing trip offered by Outdoor Programs!

As with other OP programs, Mia attended the required pre-meeting to sign a waiver, learn more about what they would be doing, and gather information on what kind of equipment or gear may be helpful when preparing for their trip. Mia said she felt very prepared after the information session and that all she needed to bring were some snacks, and she was ready to go! She also stressed that everyone should “always ask questions, […] the OP team is available in emails after the meeting.”

On the day of, Mia went to the Rec Center and got on a bus that took her to their final destination(s). The time on the bus was spent jamming out to the radio! “Radio music is a vibe,” she said. The transportation went “amazing” for her, and having one less thing to consider during preparation was helpful.

The rock climbing trip was at Duncan’s Ridge, approximately a 15-minute drive from the Rec Center. The description of this trip states that it is ”open to all skill and experience levels – led and facilitated by our Instructors at Horsetooth Reservoir! Students will learn the basics of top-rope belaying, fundamental climbing technique, and basic climbing equipment.” Even though Mia is usually very scared of heights, she still had a lot of fun on the trip. The participants were encouraged to climb at their own pace, creating a comfortable environment for someone like Mia, who had never been rock climbing before.

Rock Climbing Trip

The other trip Mia went on was the full moon hike. The Outdoor Programs description for this trip says, “Join the Outdoor Program (OP) on full moon night hike meeting other students and watching the moon rise over Northern Colorado!” On this trip, Mia and the rest of the group were transported to the trail where the famous CSU “A” is located. Near Horsetooth Reservoir, the “A” is about a 15-minute drive in the same direction as Duncan’s Ridge. Mia also had a great time on this trip; she said, “I got to see amazing people and talk about all sorts of fun stuff with them.”

Full moon Hike

Reflecting on both experiences, Mia stated, “Annie Kim was group lead for all 3 trips, and I adore her so much. She checks in on people, and I feel like she pushed me to go outside my comfort zone. She also had some fun stories to tell along the way. […] through all of these trips, I got to re-experience my love with nature again, and how fun it is be outside. These trips are great for anyone!”

See Outdoor Programs Trips, Classes, and Events

That’s all Rec’ing Rams! If you go on this trip, let us know what you think. We would love to hear your feedback.

/by
,

I Tried the Yoga Day Hike, Here’s How It Went

Hey Rec'ing Rams!

Let’s be honest, the CSU Rec Center can feel uncomfortable for new members.

I know from personal experience that going to a new gym or class can be intimidating, and it’s totally ok if you feel the same.

Taking group classes might seem like an extra challenge in this respect, but you shouldn’t have to feel that way.

In this new series, I am on a mission to try and review group classes at the Rec so that going in and taking one feels less daunting.

This time, I went with outdoor programs on their yoga day hike! Although this particular trip will not be happening again this semester, there are many more programs to pick from that are coming up. Make sure to check them out here.

Before we went on the hike, we had a short informational session with our instructor Chloe about the trail we would be going on, the weather, and what we would need for the trip. If we had any questions, we could also ask them during that time. This helped me a lot with preparing to go when I was at home.

Once Saturday rolled around, we all met at the Rec Center, and Chloe ensured we were prepared with all the necessary gear. I did not have gloves or a day pack for our snowy hike, so I was able to borrow them! This helped me a lot, knowing that I would not have to purchase anything to be able to go on the trip.

We left and had a beautiful drive up to our trail. We all got ready to go and set off! Although it was cold outside, I felt prepared for the weather and had a fantastic time on our hike. I met new people and got to enjoy the beautiful snow-capped mountains. We took breaks when needed and were encouraged to drink lots of water. Chloe did a great job making the hike very fun!

After we got off the trail, we picked a spot to do yoga using the mats that the Rec provided. Our yoga instructor, Kalia, started us off with light stretching and followed with sequences of deeper stretches which felt great after all the walking we did.

our group about to start yoga!

Once we finished up, we slowly got up and got ready to head out. We were dropped off at the Rec and returned the borrowed gear to Chloe afterward.

I had never been on a trip with Outdoor Programs before, and I wish I had done it sooner! I had a great time and would definitely recommend it to a friend.

See Outdoor Programs Trips, Classes, and Events

That’s all Rec’ing Rams! If you go on this trip, let us know what you think. We would love to hear your feedback.

/by
,

What’s up with the closures at the Rec?

Hey there Rec’ing Rams! If you’ve been following us recently, you will know that we have many changes being made inside of the Rec before the semester begins. Curious about what’s going on? I sat down with the director of facilities for Campus Recreation, Tyson Kehler, to better understand the need for the current closures.

For most of the summer, students have been entering the Rec through the side entrance due to construction in the lobby areas. What you may not know is that we are installing new turnstiles next to the service center. Kehler stated that the project is “designed to increase the efficiency and security of the service center by separating the business function from the patron check-in.” This change will make it so patrons can self-check-in rather than swipe in with the service center staff.

Additional digital signage will be added to the area alongside a built-in carpet at the main entrance to the building.

The project, however, will not be completed until the end of phase two. In this final phase, the Rec will completely re-design the service center, and aims to begin the second phase near the end of the fiscal year 2023.

The annual closure for maintenance of the facilities also falls during this current construction. Specifically, this time will be used to prepare the aquatics center for the upcoming year by swapping out filters and power washing the pool, among other regular preventative practices. Kehler emphasized that this benefits patrons by ensuring the longevity of aquatics equipment and maintaining the space’s cosmetic appeal.

The service center area and aquatics facility will be available again on the 18th of August, just in time for our annual event, Night @ the Rec.

We hope to see you back in the Rec soon; take care, Rec’ing Rams!

/by
,

Five Ways to Relieve Stress at the Rec

Release Tension with Massage Therapy

A classic way to relieve stress! When the services are available, make sure to book yourself an appointment. Customize this to your preferences by choosing an appropriate massage style.

(Massage services are unavailable Summer 2022, and will return in the fall).

Stretch it Out in our Yoga Classes

Zen out with some of the Rec’s yoga classes. For ultimate relaxation, check out gentle yoga, which moves nice and slow. 

Head Over to our Fantastic Fitness Facilities

Find your favorite area and spend some time getting that stress out through fitness. Exercise can be a great way to release some much-needed endorphins.

Take a Trip with the Outdoor Programs

The outdoor program almost always has something fun going on. Whether it’s paddleboarding, hiking, camping, or any other activities, these all offer a great way to get a fresh breath of the crisp Colorado air!

Suit Up and Enjoy all the Aquatics Facility has to Offer

The aquatics facility at the Rec Center offers a myriad of activities like hot tubbing, stepping into the sauna, or floating in the lazy river. The entrance to this area can be accessed through your preferred locker room.

That’s all for now, Rec’ing Rams! Are there any other ways you like to de-stress at the Rec? Let us know in the comments.

See you soon!

 

/by