By Gavin Lapaille
Fearful of the “freshman 15?”
Worried you won’t be able to keep your intense exercise routine up once you move on campus?
Have no fear. The University of Louisville offers several facilities around campus to help keep the pounds off and make it easier for students to stay in shape.
The most prominent of these facilities is the Student Activities Center’s fitness center. Open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, the fitness center is equipped with treadmills, weight and cardiovascular equipment and four multi-purpose gym floors that can be used for basketball, volleyball or badminton.
Also available are five racquetball courts, two squash courts and complete locker room facilities. The fitness center offers basketball, volleyball and racquetball equipment for little to no charge. Entrance is free with an active student ID.
“It’s great that [the fitness center] is free for students to use, and it definitely helps that it’s convenient when I’m already on campus for classes,” said sophomore justice administration major Dustin Rasche. “It is also a great way to meet new people and stay motivated when you’re working out with friends.”
One of the newest facilities on campus is the Ralph Wright Natatorium, located on the corner of Warnock Ave. and Floyd St. Home to the U of L men’s and women’s swim teams, the Natatorium gives students the chance to swim laps in an Olympic-size pool.
The facility features an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool with depth ranging from 4 feet, 6 inches to 18 feet. Swimmers can access the pool from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. through the week. Free to students, swimmers receive a locker key and towel upon entrance.
“[Swimming] is a good breakaway from the classes,” said senior mechanical engineering major Michael Brock. “It’s good to be able to work out for a little bit and let off steam, and swimming is a great workout to do so.”
The Cardinal Corner is another place on campus made available to students looking to keep their competitive juices flowing. Located in the SAC, students may participate in free games of pool, ping-pong, air hockey and foosball.
The Humana Gym on Bradley Ave. and Eastern Pkwy. is an alternative facility for students looking to get in a good workout. Equipped with complete weight and cardiovascular rooms, the Humana Gym offers dry heat saunas and gym floors made available when not used for club practices. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Humana Gym is free for students.
For students looking for a more structured competition, U of L supports a variety of club sports and intramural teams. With clubs such as badminton, fencing, gymnastics and many more, students are given the opportunity to learn a new sport or continue playing an old one. Intramural sports include football, soccer and basketball, and are a great way for students to stay active.
Classes offered
U of L offers a variety of classes in Health and Sports Sciences. For the upcoming semester, students may take part in classes such as Beginning Swimming, Weight Training, Racquetball and many others. These classes are generally one credit hour and are held in some of the facilities mentioned above.
“Taking an elective course such as racquetball enabled me to get in shape and stay fit throughout the semester,” said junior political science major Steven Hibbs. “It helped me relax so I was not as stressed due to more academic courses.”
