BENEFIT BEAT

Campus Recreation Facilities offers a variety of modern exercise amenities.

UIC Campus Recreation Facilities Encouraged for Staff/Faculty

By Jennifer Costanzo

UIC’S CAMPUS Recreation facilities and programs have significantly altered the sense of community and health on the East, South, and West Campuses. According to Brian Cousins, Director of Campus Recreation, “The numbers of both students and faculty/staff that participate in membership at either the Student Recreation Facility (located on East Campus), or the Sport & Fitness Center (located on West Campus), have drastically increased since the establishment of many programs and activities that are great for both children and adults.” Specifically, staff and faculty are encouraged to join in and learn about the many opportunities that they and their families can take advantage of through UIC’s dedication to providing health, fitness, and relaxation techniques for a very manageable price.

OFFERED NEARLY every day of the week are “Drop-In” Fitness classes, which are included in one’s membership payment, and include Cardio Workouts, Cycling, Total Body Workouts, and Lower Body Workouts. Depending on which side of campus is more convenient for you to attend, there are sessions that range in difficulty and location. For example, West Campus offers many sessions of Flex and Boot Camp classes that are targeted for a challenging the drill-oriented aerobic session. “And if Drop-In Sessions are not available at appropriate times in your schedule, there are also ‘Session’ Classes, which come at an additional small fee,” Cousins said. “These classes include courses in Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, and Water Aerobics, to name a few.”

ANOTHER AREA of the Recreation Centers includes “Fitness Services,” which dedicate their time towards relaxation and the learning of health tactics. For a minimal fee, State-licensed masseuses provide massage therapy programs that will rejuvenate your health. They also provide a “Learn-To-Swim” program that includes private and group lessons for children, as well as parent/tot lessons for babies. Currently, this program is the most popular, with a wait list of both community and staff/faculty members. Most importantly, you do not have to be a member to take advantage of this swimming program. UIC is looking to help provide you with the most convenient and safe ways to teach your youngsters how to have fun in the water, while learning a very important skill.

NEW TO the Student Recreation Facility (East Campus) is Tropical Smoothie Café, which has healthy smoothies and sandwiches to offer before or after your workout, or just for lunch or a snack. It not only provides food on campus, but also caters campus events. Non-members are able to gain a 15-minute tour pass in exchange for their valid i-Card, and they can use this 15 minutes to visit Tropical Smoothie Café “You can also utilize the 15-minute pass to look around the facilities and see if membership is right for you and your family,” Cousins said.

THE CAMPUS Recreation Department includes the Outdoor Field Complex, Outdoor Basketball and Tennis Courts, a Climbing Wall, and the Student Games and Bowling Center. All are available to be used with membership or for a small fee. Cousins enthusiastically proclaimed that there are “Over 100 pieces of cardio and strength equipment available amongst the facilities, as well as a pool, personal training program, sauna, steam room, locker rooms, and free towels,” he said. “There are also rooms available to rent out for special events, meetings, and birthday parties for children. Even pool parties are exclusively offered on Saturdays and Sundays.” Specialized dance instruction classes are currently being introduced into the program as well.

STAFF/FACULTY memberships offer you accessibility to both facilities, but are only sold at the Student Recreation Facility. Membership is $330 per year, with a six-month minimum. There is a $50 cancellation fee if you decide to cancel before your six months are up, but this does not seem to happen very often, as the facilities have something to offer everyone. A payroll deduction plan is available.

TO LEARN more about Campus Recreation, visit http://www.uic.edu/depts/recreation/index.shtml if you are interested in becoming healthy while finding a place that also offers relaxation and personal attention.