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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FITNESS
Getting familiar with the Student Rec Center
MARIA SANCHEZ
@MariaSanchezKU
The parking lot of the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center is almost always full. Students who may have had a long, hard day do not have to go far to let off some steam and to do so in good company. The Rec offers students a place to stay healthy and find their footing among peers.
Although the Rec is a place to meet new people, it can be an uncomfortable transition for new students.
"Honestly, when I first started going I felt kind of intimidated because there were so many people there and I didn't know where anything was," said Jessica Brossard, a sophomore from Prairie Village.
As students walk through the doors, they must scan their KU ID card before beginning their workout. Once inside, multiple exercise options await them. The ground level of the Rec contains cardiovascular equipment and weight training, as well as basketball and soccer areas. The bottom level is where students can freshen up or change clothes in the locker rooms, while the top floor offers a large walking or running track.
Jill Urkoski, associate director of the Rec, said she sees timid students like Brossard who may not feel familiar with the territory and hopes to eradicate it.
"We definitely want everyone to know they are welcome here," Urkoski said. "If you're an individual who has never been active, please come still."
Brossard said she would encourage newcomers to tag along with a friend if they are feeling overwhelmed.
"I would go with friends at first to check it out. That way I could learn where everything was," Brossard said. "Plus it's more fun to work out with friends."
The Rec offers ways to ease the feeling of intimidation for students in the form of tours and personal trainers. Urkoski said stopping by and speaking with a supervisor could only help students.
"Whether if it's they want to come be active or if it's in between classes, supervisors are always on duty," Urkoski said. "They can just ask, 'Can I get a tour today?'
These tours include an overview of the facilities and brief information about the classes available for students which can also be found online
at recreation.ku.edu.
Programs available to students include fitness, intramurals, outdoor pursuits and sports clubs. These programs vary from obtaining personal trainers, joining a team and competing against other University intramural teams, traveling and competing against other universities, or renting camping equipment for the weekend.
Fitness programs like Fit 45 and Zumba, taught by certified students, are open to students for two semesters with the purchase of a Fit Pass for a fee of $50. The Rec will be offering 55 classes this fall semester.
Whether students have time to enjoy these programs in their busy schedule, according to Urkoski, the times of classes make it difficult as they are mainly scheduled during the morning from 8 a.m. to noon, when most students are in class.
"Sometimes I'm too busy to get there," Brossard said. "I like that [the Rec is] open pretty late though because that helps me have time to go."
The Rec's fall hours are Monday through Thursday from 5:30 a.m. to midnight, Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to
10 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Intimidation aside, Brossard said getting into the groove and asking questions is a good way to get familiar with the recreation center.
"It was more just figuring out what machines I wanted to use and how they worked," Brossard said. "Don't be intimidated by all the people there and if you need help or have questions there is lots of staff that you can ask."
Edited by Casy Hutchins
Bottom level: Locker rooms, access to the 42-foot rock climbing wall
Main level: Cardio equipment, weight room, equipment checkout, basketball and soccer areas, racquetball courts, indoor golf simulator
Top level: More cardio and weight equipment, track
to reach a mile, the inside lane takes 4 $ \frac{3}{4} $ laps,
the middle lane takes 4 $ \frac{1}{2} $ laps, and the outside lane takes 4 $ \frac{1}{4} $ laps.
CAMPUS
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN Josh Hilger, a junior from Lawrence, shoots during a pickup game at Ambler Student Recreation Center Tuesday night.
Six essential items every student needs to survive
AMBER VANERGRIFT news@kansan.com
A CELLPHONE
After spending a year at the University, sophomores have experience about what is necessary to bring to school. From the simple, everyday items to the offbeat ideas, students recommend these items for a successful year.
"I tend to use it for everything including notes for classes and Google information for help in classes," Thompson said.
Smartphones are efficient tools for students, as Kathryn Thompson, a sophomore from Dallas, explained.
"If you decide to go out you can always call for a ride home from a friend or SafeRide," Thompson said. "My phone does everything for me."
Thompson said having a cellphone at all times can be beneficial for unexpected situations.
THE PHONE NUMBER
FOR PIZZA SHUTTLE
Food is fuel, and when students are studying late at night, fuel is definitely necessary. Campus dining halls are only available at
certain hours, and for some students that is not enough.
Erin Feller, a sophomore from Lenexa, said having the phone number for Pizza Shuttle is important "for late nights at the library and for nights out with friends."
The number for Pizza Shuttle is (785) 842-1212.
A TO-GO COFFEE MUG
After a late night, the following morning can be rough. Whether a student has been studying or socializing, any night hours not spent sleeping can require an extra jolt the next day. Madeline Bjorklun, a sophomore from Lenexa, said to stay awake in class, a to-go coffee mug can be essential.
"There are going to be times when caffeine is going to be the only thing keeping you awake," Bjorklun said.
TENNIS SHOES
Campus is full of hills, and even with the buses, students do a lot of walking.
"The campus hills are killers," said Claire Sorensen, a sophomore from Olathe.
hills, making walks to class more pleasant for students.
CALVES
Even though tennis shoes can make walking the hills comfortable, they will not do the walking for students.
Tennis shoes are often more comfortable than other footwear when climbing the
To handle the hills, lake Lamb, a sophomore from Lee's Summit, Missouri, said calf muscles are essential for students. After all, in Lamb's words, "the hills are crazy."
A SMILE
This is a simple choice, yet Daniel Gewirtz, a sophomore from Northbrook, Ill., said it is an important one.
"Putting on an optimistic appearance is essential for meeting new people and possibly networking." Gewirtz said. "You'll never know when you could possibly be making another path for yourself into the future."
- Edited by Casey Huchins
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