Campus conditioning

If you love to work out and get those endorphins rolling while dripping with sweat and the pure satisfaction of conditioning your body, then you are reading the right article. Here is a guide to everything from running places to mixed martial arts training, all on or near campus.

Portland is home to the nation’s largest urban park. Forest Park has hundreds of miles of trails to run and is only a five-minute drive from Portland State up to Washington Park. The soft trails of glorious landscape are home to many elite U.S. distance runners who use the trails daily.

Duniway Park is another great place to workout near campus and is also just five minutes from PSU, located on Barbur Boulevard. The track is comprised entirely of recycled Nike shoes. No matter what time of day, dedicated runners are likely using the track.

Duniway Park has additional trails all around it, and Terwilliger Boulevard is a great place to go on a long bike ride or stroll with views of the Willamette River below.

If playing soccer is your preferred mode of working out, there are eight facilities that hold indoor soccer year-round. The closest one is the Portland Indoor Soccer Center. It is located at 418 SE Main Street, on the corner of Southeast Grand. They have open play every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and have league play of all different levels throughout the week. It is a little out of date and has that retro look inside, but the best part about it is that after a long, hard workout, the snack bar serves beer.

If you’re a serious athlete looking for something intense, then join a session at Crossfit or Crossfit HEL. The training resembles that of what fighters in the MMA and UFC do to work out. It is very intense and you will be in pain after a week of this, with your muscles screaming for protein and omega 12s.

One Crossfit location is on Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard. Another is located in the southeast, just across the river, off of 26th and Division and a third location is in North Portland by the University of Portland.
Madison J., a student and instructor, mentioned that it was very intense but it whips you into shape faster than any other program out there. All the instructors are Crossfit certified or have great experience in their respected fields.

Finally, the new Recreation Center is on its way to being completed and should be finished by the winter quarter of 2010. The six-story building will change the face of Portland State forever, able to offer more classes and more places to lounge during your free time.

Two multipurpose exercise studios will greatly enhance both the exercise and dance options on campus. Everything from yoga to break dancing will be used in these studios.

The Rec Center’s core includes a three-court gymnasium. Designed to allow for multiple sports to be played simultaneously, the gym will host basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor soccer and more. The six-lane swimming pool is one of the most unique of its kind in the country. Filled with light from two-story windows, the natatorium is actually on the first floor, elevated above the ground floor.

There is also a 10-person spa to help relieve tension and heal sore muscles.

Finally, the weights and workout equipment will greatly benefit the students at PSU. Designed to be useful for all levels, the new weight room and fitness equipment will be key to keeping the campus healthy. Linking exercise to the outdoors, the climbing wall is located adjacent to the exercise area.

The new Rec Center will be a huge upgrade compared to what the students have now in the Stott Center.