Checking Out “The Rec”
Hannah talks about the many ways you can use the Recreation Center at Carleton.
Hannah talks about the many ways you can use the Recreation Center at Carleton.
For a smaller school of about 2000 students, Carleton has a lot of recreational facilities on campus. There is the Recreation Center, Cowling Gym, Laird Stadium, and the West Gym. Regardless if you’re an athlete, part of a club, on the lift grind, or just looking to stay active, there’s a space for you! As someone who is on the women’s track team, I have the most experience with the Rec, as we Carleton students like to call it, and Stadium. While I will save the Stadium info for another blog post (outdoor season here I come!), this post is all about the Rec Center here at Carleton.
Who can use the Rec?
The Rec is open to all Carleton students and staff for various activities. It features a rock climbing wall, a bouldering room, squash/racquetball courts, an aerobics studio, an indoor track, a weight/cardio room, and some basketball/tennis courts.
What is the space typically used for?
The aerobics studio is a common place for PE classes, especially with Carleton’s physical education requirement. Don’t be intimidated, meeting the requirement is pretty simple and if a varsity or club sport isn’t for you, there is a large variety of PE classes to choose from. Some examples include ballet, diving, ultimate frisbee, ice skating, self-defense, yoga, and the list goes on!
The indoor track is where I spend most of my time (which makes sense of course), and in the middle of the track are the tennis/basketball courts. While they are marked for tennis, the center of the fieldhouse hosts many activities from varsity athletics, to club practices, to open recreation! I often see baseball and tennis practicing in the center of the track while we run during practice. The 200 meter track has six lanes, with an eight lane straightaway. We recently hosted the MIACS (the sports division Carleton is in) conference track meet here a couple weeks ago.
Along with the track we have a long jump pit and areas where we set up high jump and pole vault for meets and practices. Though we have practice there, the track is for everyone! People can walk, run, and jog most of the time (sometimes it is booked for specific practice times).
The Rec has a large range of hours so students can fit being active into their schedule if they want! The winter hours for this term are:
- Monday – Thursday 6:30am-11pm
- Fridays 6:30am-9pm
- Saturdays 8am-8pm
- Sundays 10am-11pm
There are even locker-rooms available, as well as showers if you don’t want to head back to your dorm to shower after you’ve had a vigorous workout.
What else do I use it for?
Below the track on the first floor is the weight room, which is for general use. The varsity weight room is located in Stadium.
I use the weight room for cross training on the weekends, when my coaches recommend getting some elliptical or extra lifts in (the grind never stops). A lot of varsity coaches also have their offices here. Whenever I swing by to talk to my coaches Donna and Brian, I know where to find them.
Besides track, my friends love to play pick up basketball or toss a frisbee around. While I have yet to use the climbing wall, I know that’s a pretty popular option as well! Additionally, you can borrow nordic/cross-country skis to use out in the Arboretum, which is behind the Rec Center.
Personally I have yet to take a gym class here, but I have heard great things! I can’t wait to utilize this space more over my four years here.
Hannah is a freshman interested in Political Science and learning as much as she can about whatever she can. Born and raised in Minnesota, she considers herself somewhat of an expert on MN winters. She can’t wait for ice skating on the Bald Spot and Nordic skiing in the Arb, along with exploring all of the other amazing opportunities and activities on campus! When Hannah isn’t in class, she can be found reading, running for the Carleton Track team, watching TikToks, and tutoring with the Northfield Read and Counts Program. Meet the other bloggers!