Here at URI, Campus Recreation hosts Flourish Fest, an annual event in the spring that brings together departments and organizations across the surrounding community to promote programs and services that promote healthy well-being for all students. Each Friday, Campus Recreation will be highlighting one of the five pillars of wellness which are physical, financial, intellectual, social, and emotional, to help guide students to Be Active, Be Well, and Belong. 

Physical Wellness 

Physical wellness is acknowledging the need for exercise, recognizing different food groups, and contributing to other active and healthy habits. Taking advantage of all of Campus Recreation’s facilities is a great way to focus on physical wellness. 

Facilities 

On campus, there are two gyms that each hold an ample amount of workout machinery, equipment, and space for group workout classes. Whether you like treadmills, state-of-the-art X-machines, rowing machines, or a mat, our gyms have it all. 

The Anna Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center is a two-story fitness center with available locker rooms and showers for our members. In the heart of campus, this gym offers a Wellness Resource Center, three group exercise studios, Keiser cycle bikes, TRX suspension training, and much more. 

The Mackal Field House is another facility located at the bottom of campus that holds a weight room, cardio room, and recreational sports. With basketball courts and an indoor track, this fitness center is widely used by both students and student-athletes. 

While the Boss Arena is home to our ice hockey club and intramural teams, this facility also hosts daily Open Shake times that are low-cost to students who may wish to practice their skating skills. For more information, check out the website here. 

URI also offers three pools located in the Tootell Aquatic Center. With a competition pool, a diving well, and a recreational pool, students and community members are encouraged to join aquatic classes, lessons, or cheer on members of our club swim team. 

Around campus, you can also find outdoor volleyball courts available for students to use. And, as the weather is starting to get warmer, this is a popular way for students to stay active outside with spontaneous pickup games or volleys! Additionally, there is a paved bike path that runs through campus and continues out of campus which is 14 miles long. It is perfect for students to run, walk, bike, skateboard, and rollerblade! 

Our other facilities include a tennis complex, sailing center, and a 5k running course around and through campus. 

GRX Classes 

Each week, there are over eighty-five fitness classes offered in these facilities every day! Classes like pilates, body pump, self-defense workshops, cycle, F45 and so much more are available for students to participate in and are free with tuition! 

In a previous blog, Workout Classes to Try on Campus, I shared some of my favorites and how they benefit my body! 

Students can sign up through IMLeagues for descriptions of classes, schedules, and other opportunities. With your student email address, signing up and attending classes are free and it takes only a few minutes! 

Intramural and Club Sports Opportunities

Did you play sports in high school and are you missing the thrill and competition of being on the field or court? Participating in intramural sports is another great opportunity for students to enhance their physical well-being. URI offers over sixteen intramural sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, and much more.

Each semester there are two registration dates and opportunities to get involved. Spring registration begins on March 19, so gather your teams and equipment, and compete now! 

If you are looking to play on a more structured team that includes practices and competition among other collegiate teams, Campus Recreation offers a variety of club teams that you can try out for. Club sports hold tryouts throughout the semester, so be sure to check out our website for more information! 

Opportunities to Become a Leader 

As I mentioned, URI offers numerous workout classes in each of these facilities, and we also provide training programs to become a leader. Our GEM Program trains participants to lead group exercise classes on campus like cycle, pilates, or yoga. Additionally, URI trains students to lead personal training sessions and F45 classes. These trainers are certified specifically for F45 workout circuits that are always changing and challenging participants. URI also provides students with the opportunity to become a certified lifeguard or be active on the field as an IMSports Official! 

Each of these leadership opportunities allows students to focus on their physical health while also encouraging others to do so as well. 

Flourish Fest is all about sharing initiatives and information for students to enrich their lives emotionally, financially, intellectually, socially, and physically. In just two months, Flourish Fest will be held on April 12 on the quad. Make sure to follow Campus Recreation on social media and stay connected for updates on the event!