Fun Things to do at the Rec

Even though it is “all the way on the other side of campus” according to my friend, the Rec Center has many things to offer not just in the exercise department, but in the fun department as well. Of course, it is equipped with a weight room and an indoor track as most recreational centers are, but our Rec Center has a few tricks up its sleeve. 

The Racquetball Rooms

If you are someone like me who had never stepped foot into a recreational center before college, you might be asking yourself what racquetball is and why it needs its own room? I am here to inform you that it is simply the second best indoor sport, second only to volleyball of course. For those that don’t know, it is basically tennis but in a big room, with an even bouncier ball. My freshman year was a time of discovery indeed, and luckily I found this game and a few friends willing to try it. The rec has the rackets and balls required to play this game, all for free to rent, so I went and tried it, sucked at it, but ended up loving it! These courts can also be converted into squash courts, and the rec also supplies all of the materials needed. I frequently use the rooms after a long day of classes to unwind, or rather, take all my stress out on the ball. 

The Climbing Wall

Much like the racquetball rooms, I had not used a climbing wall ever and I tried it for the first time my freshman year. The first time I went, my friend who had just learned to belay helped make sure I got back down safe and sound. My teammates and I have made a pact to climb at least once a week in our off-season, and I will definitely be making use of it in the future.

The Bouldering Room

In addition to our 30ft tall climbing wall, we also have a bouldering room that is staffed by students. Now, I may be a varsity athlete, but I hate arm days and I think that this bouldering room is a fun way for me to get in an upper body workout. 

Tennis Courts

The tennis courts can be found upstairs in the middle of the indoor track. Varsity tennis practices there in the cold winter, and when they are not practicing, Carleton’s pickleball association turns them into pickleball courts that I happily take part in (I suck at pickleball). They can also be converted into volleyball courts!

Katelyn (she/her) is a junior at Carleton from Las Vegas, Nevada, and is a psychology major with minors in cognitive science and German. She is a proud first-generation student who loves to participate in all things happening around campus. She is involved with Carleton’s student-run first-gen organization 1Gen, KRLX, and Babyteeth. When she is not in the gym playing volleyball or lifting (super heavy) weights, she can be found hanging out with her friends or in the small park next to the Weitz, specifically on the east-most swing.