Staying fit at PSU

With fall term commencing this week you might think that walking to the bookstore to pick up your books, heading to your first class in the Unitus Building, picking up your FlexPass or running to catch your bus would be a sufficient workout.

Alex Accetta is the director of Campus Recreation at Portland State and while he is excited for the new student recreation facility to open in January 2010, he encourages students to find something to keep them active during the year.

“Students have an abundance of options on campus and we hope that they stay here and participate,” Accetta said.

While you are certainly on the right track, there are many other exciting ways that students can stay in shape.

Club sportsWhether its badminton, ice hockey, ultimate frisbee, soccer or rugby there is likely a club sport for you. Funded in part by student fees, these groups generally welcome all, regardless of skill level, and can offer a positive experience for students.

Some of the clubs, like men’s soccer and cycling, are more competitive while others, such as dancing and rollin (rollerblading), offer a forum for students to interact with other students that have similar interests. If no club strikes your taste, students can also create their own club with friends. However, act quickly because deadlines are approaching fast.

IntramuralsIf you’re looking for an easy way to stay active in team sports on campus, then intramurals are the place for you. Each term brings a new schedule and typically the sports offered coincide with the season, with fall term offering volleyball, flag football and soccer.

Rusty Vineyard, who runs the intramural and fitness programs for Campus Recreation, said that he is excited about the year to come.

“The most important thing we can do is get the word out to our students that we exist and to encourage participation,” Vineyard said.

The cost is minimal at just $20 per team, and games are played in or near the Stott Center on campus. Students can form their own team with their friends or dorm mates, or register as a free agent and be assigned to a team.

If you are not interested in joining a league but still want to play your sport or activity of choice, intramurals also runs drop-in sessions for volleyball, indoor soccer and basketball every week.

FitnessIf your schedule does not allow or competition is not your thing but you still want to stay in shape, sign up for a Group X class. The sessions feature trained instructors leading lessons in yoga, core-strength training, step training or hip-hop dance.

Students can also take advantage of the circuit and weight rooms, housed inside the Stott Center. The circuit room features dozens of cardiovascular machines and weight lifting options.

Downstairs in the Stott Center is the dungeon that sure looks like a weight room featuring plenty of dim lighting and free weights. Available for a small fee is a personal trainer to help guide you in your workouts and make sure that you are moving forward.

OtherIn addition to these options, students also have full and free access to the Stott Recreation Center (located in quadrant H-4 on your maps). Gym space with free rentals, tennis courts, racquetball and a covered track are all available to students that have paid their student fees.

A great place to stay in shape during those upcoming dreary winter months is in the Stott Center Pool. Students, faculty, staff and alumni all have access to the pool and towels for a nominal charge each term, and the pool schedule is easily viewed online.

One of the more rare fitness features of Portland State University is the rock wall housed also in the Stott Center. The first climb on the wall is free, with additional climbs coming in pretty cheap. Harness and shoe rentals are free for students anytime

“The wall is unique and something that is extremely popular among students,” Accetta said.

Accetta also seemed proud of the affordable and underused equipment center housed on College Street in between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Students can rent equipment for just about any outdoor activity, from skies to white water rafts and life vests, at an extremely reasonable rate.