UM-Flint Rec Services offers classes, group sports

With a new functional fitness room, new group fitness classes and a refreshed yoga studio, the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Recreational Services is updating the Rec Center for a better experience.

"We're excited about the updates to a few of our spaces this semester and hope students will stop in for a tour if they are unfamiliar with our building," said Julia Stulock, Recreational Services associate director of programs and marketing. "Recreational Services is more than just a workout space in the Rec Center – it encompasses programs, classes, events and services that are all aimed at assisting students with being physically active and building a sense of belonging to the campus community."

The Rec Center, located at 401 Mill St., offers a variety of programs, teams, classes and facilities that are free to registered students. New this summer, Rec Services is offering all continuing students a free membership. Faculty, staff and family members of enrolled students can purchase memberships at a discounted rate.

The facility has a cardio room and indoor track, a strength room with free weights and a lifting platform, Cybex machines, multipurpose courts, racquetball courts, a pool and spa, and a dry sauna. 

Recently, the Rec Center created a functional fitness room on the upper level in a former racquetball court. The room offers equipment similar to the existing U-Fit room but is open to all members during regular building hours. Members can find TRX suspension training stations, medicine balls, agility ladders, plyometric boxes, kettlebells, mats and more to conduct a general fitness routine at their own pace. The yoga studio, room 11 on the lower level, just received a fresh coat of paint, and will soon have echo-reducing panels and new lighting to refresh the space.

Group Fitness

Rec Services has also introduced new fitness classes this semester, including Zumba, slow-flow yoga, Vinyasa core yoga and indoor cycling called Spinyatta. The classes are first-come, first-served and free to all students and members. Established fitness classes include U-Fit (functional fitness), gentle yoga, high-intensity interval training and aqua fitness.  

Club Sports

UM-Flint also offers club sports, which are university-sponsored, student-run organizations that compete against other colleges and universities in various state, regional and national competitions. Recently, students started tennis, ultimate and golf clubs. Students do not need to play the sport before going out for the team.

Participating in club sports helps students develop teamwork and leadership skills, and it provides fun and friendship.

The full list of club sports is:

• Baseball
• Men's Basketball
• Golf
• Men's Hockey
• Men's Soccer 
• Women's Soccer
• Tennis
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Women's Volleyball

If students are interested in starting a new club sport, they can work with Rec Services to create a team or see if fellow students are already trying to start a team. 

Intramural Sports

Intramural sports are free, fun and friendly inter-university competitions open to all enrolled students, faculty and staff with Rec Center memberships. UM-Flint's IM Sports leagues include basketball, volleyball and futsal. Leagues are four weeks, and the university offers two league sessions during both the fall and winter semesters.

Aside from the leagues, UM-Flint offers individual competitions, including a virtual run/walk challenge in March, a golf scramble, basketball shot contests, and chess and ping-pong tournaments.

Esports

UM-Flint also offers esports, organized, multiplayer video game competitions. The esports lab is open 7 a.m.-midnight daily and gives students access to state-of-the-art technology such as new 13th-gen Intel, GeForce 4070 Legion computers. Games include chess, Call of Duty, CS:GO, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rainbow 6, Super Smash Bros, Rocket League and Valorant.

"Esports is a great way to get involved on campus," said Luke Rimarcik, Esports program manager. "Surrounding yourself with amazing, inspired individuals, with the drive to compete or play casually is a great way to make new connections and memories. 

"Varsity esports offers students the opportunity to take their gaming aspirations to the next level, including competing in an esports facility against colleges internationally, custom apparel for varsity athletes, learning and growth opportunities within esports. Esports at UM-Flint is the perfect place to level up."