Student's Guide to Your First Campus Rec Visit
Welcome to Campus Rec, Bearcat! Whether you’re here to smash your fitness goals, meet your future besties, or just find a comfy spot to hang between classes, UC Campus Recreation is your playground. We’ve got all the details so you can stroll in on day one looking like a pro!
Locations
Campus Recreation Center (aka "The Rec" or "CRC")
- Located in the heart of main campus
- The largest of the Campus Recreation facilities
- Includes the fitness floor with weight and cardio equipment, indoor track, gym courts, pools, climbing wall, racquetball/squash courts, group fitness, cycle studio, and locker rooms.
Fitness Center at CARE/Crawley (Medical Campus)
- Located on the medical campus on the lower level of the CARE/Crawley building. Enter the building and take the staircase on the left by the elevators when you first walk in.
- This is a smaller facility than the Campus Rec Center that offers the fitness floor with cardio and weight equipment, locker rooms with dry sauna, and group fitness.
Siddall Fitness Center
- The Siddall Fitness Center is adjacent to MarketPointe.
- This facility is exclusively available to residents of Siddall and Calhoun Residence Halls.
- This is a smaller facility than the Campus Rec Center that offers cardio, strength and functional equipment. The Siddall Fitness Center also offers a turf area, including a push sled.
- Don't forget your Bearcat Card. You need to tap the reader outside to gain access to the facility.
If you have an academic class that says "Rec Center"
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Bring your UC ID and swipe in at the front desk
- Seriously, please don't forget your UC ID or other photo ID!
- Go upstairs for cardio and weight equipment, racquetball courts, group fitness classes, track, and cycle studio.
- Go downstairs for climbing wall, gym courts, pools, and locker rooms.
- It’s a big building, feel free to wander or ask for a tour!
- We’re all about good vibes and making everyone feel welcome. Bearcats love swapping workout hacks, whether it’s how to nail that deadlift or build a killer booty. If you spot someone absolutely crushing it, throw them a high five or ask what they’re doing. We’re all here to hype each other up!
Attendance Policy
You get UNLIMITED swipes to the rec! Come as many times a week as you would like!
- Heads up! Campus Rec gets busiest from 5–9 p.m. If you like plenty of space to do your thing, hit up an early morning workout, swing by at lunch, or check us out on the weekends. But if you’re into that high-energy, prime time vibe, evenings are where it’s at!
- Students do not have guest swipes. Guests are $12/day, and you will need to accompany them to the rec center.
- NEVER give someone else your ID to enter the rec. It will be confiscated.
Expectations
Follow Campus Rec Policies
- Support your fellow Bearcats - spot if asked, cheer them on, and keep the gym positive
- Re-rack your weights when you're done - no one wants to warm up by putting your weights away
- Clean your sweat off the machines
- No texting marathons on the machines - keep it moving
- Share the equipment - let others work in between your sets
- Don’t drop weights like you’re making a scene (unless it’s a legit emergency)
- Return rental equipment before closing
- Grab your stuff and your lock from day-use lockers before you head out
Important Dates
Click on the links below to find the program registration dates!
Things to Bring
- Workout Attire (whatever makes you comfortable and follows the Dress Code Policy)
- Water bottle
- A lock or locker rental. Free day-use lockers are available near the gym courts or on all levels with a lock (bring your own or buy one at Member Services). All items must be removed before closing. Rent a locker at the Member Services Desk to keep your workout gear at the rec for an extended period of time. Never leave your items unlocked or unattended.
- Did we mention your Bearcat Card?
Campus Recreation's attire policy is designed to create a welcoming, safe and body-positive environment for all members. A top and non-marking, fully enclosed shoes are required in all areas except for the Locker Rooms, Aquatic Complex, and Climbing Wall.
Attire Policy
- A clean, appropriate athletic top must be worn and cover the breast.
- Bottoms must fully cover the buttocks and private areas.
- Attire that could cause damage to equipment or risk safety of members, and see-through garments (specifically private areas) are prohibited.
- Close-toed, close-heeled, and non-marking shoes that cover the entire foot must be worn. Staff have the final discretion in deciding if shoes meet our policy. Exceptions for specific areas, such as the Locker Rooms, Aquatic Complex, and Climbing Wall.
- Minimalist shoes that meet the above criteria are allowed.
- In some Group Fitness formats and Club Sports practices, participants may be asked to remove footwear for the safety of the participant. (Yoga, PiYo, Martial Arts, etc.)
Appropriate Swimwear Includes
- One and two-piece bathing suits, board shorts, wet suits, and rash guards that cover the buttocks and private areas. "Private areas" is defined as set forth in R.C. 2907.01(R).
- Clean mesh athletic shorts and/or a shirt may be worn over a manufactured swimsuit that meets the aforementioned guidelines.
FAQ
Is it okay to wear just a sports bra?
If a sports bra is designed as an athletic piece of clothing designed to be worn by itself when working out, it is allowed. With the number of variations of athletic tops/sports bras, we don’t want our staff to have to make subjective judgement calls about whether something is appropriate (as long as it meets the requirements of being a piece of athletic clothing and covering the breast).
What constitutes a top that ‘covers the breast’?
For all genders, a top must cover the nipples. We require all private areas (which we consider the nipples of the chest to be for all genders) to be covered in the fitness spaces.
What if I only have jeans or khakis to wear as pants? Can I still work out?
If someone wants to use the facility and doesn’t have workout shorts/pants, we don’t want to turn them away. If they are wearing some form of bottoms that have excessive pieces that could damage equipment, or the clothing poses an obvious safety concern to our staff, we will address as-needed.
What if someone feels uncomfortable with what another member is wearing?
Our goal is to create a welcoming, safe and body-positive environment by allowing individuals to wear what makes them feel comfortable in our facility (as long as it meets the attire policy posted above). We seek to remove as many barriers to utilizing our facility as possible in order to provide a welcoming environment. If someone has specific questions they can contact Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness, Traci Smith (traci.smith@uc.edu), to discuss further.
Resources
Let us help you discover what you love and crush your goals!
- Fitness Staff will give you a personal tour of the fitness floor and show you how to use and adjust the equipment. Just stop by the Fitness Desk anytime!
- Personal Training: Personal Trainers help you set goals and achieve them. They can help beginners get started with a plan or help advance athletes to the next level.
Extra Credit
Try something new!
- Sweat it out in a FREE group fitness class
- Try the Climbing Wall, it's FREE! Swipe in at the desk and the staff will show you what to do!
- Swim laps, walk against the current channel in the leisure pool, or relax in the whirlpool.
- Take advantage of our FREE equipment rental and play basketball or volleyball on the gym courts or use a weight belt on the fitness floor.
Pro Tips
Keep Coming Back!
- Follow us: Find @UCCampusRec on social for updates, fitness inspo, and entertainment!
- Find your crew: Work out with friends or join a group fitness class for extra motivation.
- Mix it up: Try new classes, sports, and equipment. You never know what you will love!
- Ask for help: Staff and other members are super friendly and love showing you the ropes.
- Set goals: Whether it’s running a mile, hitting a PR, or just feeling better, having a goal keeps you motivated. Let us know when you hit them! We want to celebrate with you.
- Use the app or portal: Reserve courts, sign up for classes, and check schedules from your phone.
- Fuel up: Bring water and a snack so you’re not running on empty.
- Respect the space: Clean your gear, rack your weights, and help keep the machines and facility ready for your next visit.
- Celebrate wins: Big or small, share your progress, cheer on others, and enjoy the journey.
Our goal is to see a campus community passionate about pursuing an active, healthy lifestyle.
Dance like no one is watching. Lift like no one is looking. Run like you're chasing your dreams!
See you soon!