As a Chico State student, we have a lot of opportunities that we may not even know about. We know we have the Meriam Library, the Student Services Center, The Well, and the Wildcat Recreational Center (WREC), but did you know the extent of what is offered to us through the WREC? Today, I’m going to deep dive into what the WREC offers us students and the different opportunities it gives us (all website links mentioned can be found at the end).
The WREC is located right next to the parking structure across from the Student Services Center and is about a five-minute walk from campus. “Helping you with your recreation, fitness, and fun goals since 2009,” is the WREC’s goal. While I may be biased, I think they do this perfectly. Any Chico State student who is currently enrolled is allowed to enter through the WREC app. If it’s your first time going, a worker may have you sign a waiver, but after that, you’re allowed to enter as often as you’d like. Only affiliated campus students and Chico State faculty and staff are allowed to purchase a membership outside of Chico State students, but if you’re interested in bringing a guest, you’re in luck. Chico State students can purchase up to two guest passes per day and a total of 10 per semester. Don’t be afraid to ask the workers questions on any of this, as most of them are awesome Chico State students themselves.
Like I was saying before, the WREC has a lot to offer; weightlifting, cardio machines, group exercises, personal training, aquatics, climbing gym, courts, safety courses, recreational sports, Adventure Time, indoor track, special events, and the absolute best locker rooms ever. I highly encourage you to try out new and different things – now is the time to do it!
Weightlifting
The available machines in the WREC are pretty endless. From more than enough bench press setups to squat racks to free weights, I could be here all day naming things off. If you’re new to lifting, the machines all have little pictures and instructions on how to use them but I highly encourage you to get a personal trainer for your first few times at lifting to make sure you don’t injure yourself.
The weights and machines aren’t organized by muscle group and are laid out pretty sporadically. There are lat pull-down machines and cables both up and downstairs, bench press setups are mostly downstairs, leg extension/leg hamstring curl machines are mostly upstairs, and squat racks are all downstairs. The free-weight dumbbells have a super wide range of different weights, so there is the right one for everyone! My suggestion would be to explore and get a good feel for where things are. If you’re a girlie and feel more comfortable lifting around other women, I will say, I tend to see more girls go upstairs in the mornings.
Cardio Machines
The WREC offers a very wide array of cardio machines; stairmaster, treadmills, airdyne (located on the track), elliptical, stationary bike, rowing machine, spin bike, and the skierg. These are all great for different kinds of cardio and they’re all upstairs. They’re also super easy to use with most just having a little “quick start” button.
Group Exercises
Another amazing opportunity we have at the WREC is group exercise classes! I’ve found that this is an amazing place to meet new friends and learn new forms of exercise at all different levels. If you’re going to try anything in the WREC, I highly suggest this one. The WREC offers many different exercise classes such as pilates, spin, yoga, butts and guts, swim fit, and dance. The instructors are all super amazing and kind. Also, the classes are totally free, so why not go?! The schedule can be found on the WREC’s Instagram or their website.
Personal Training
Personal training is super important if you are new to the gym and a great opportunity to take advantage of. I know that most, if not all, of the personal trainers are also students here at Chico State and are awesome people. Prices start at $29 for one session and go up from there. Prices can be found on their website under personal training.
Aquatics
We have a pool! And you can use it! Whenever you want! Don’t know how to swim? No worries! The WREC offers both group and private swimming lessons. As long as the pool is not being used by water polo (check schedule), it’s free to use whenever. From taking a nice long swim to chilling in the shallow end, there are many ways you can use the pool. There are also lounge chairs to sit out in the sun and a spa as well.
The WREC also offers fun aquatic programs like log rolling, slack or swim, SUP yoga, SUP pilates, and a swim fit workout. Make sure to keep up to date on the schedule through the WREC’s Instagram or website.
Climbing Gym
A rock wall is something that I would have never tried if I didn’t have the opportunity to, and it’s so much fun. They loan you climbing shoes and you’ll have an instructor telling you what to do every step of the way if you’re a beginner. They’re not always open so make sure to stay updated through the WREC’s Instagram or website.
MAC Court and Court 3
These are basketball and volleyball courts that can be used for a lot of different things. There is drop-in volleyball, badminton, pickleball, and skating. If the courts are not being cleaned or used by recreation sports teams, they’re free to use whenever you want (which is usually the case). They also come with the basketballs which are in cubbies by the courts, all they ask is that you put them away after use.
Safety Courses
Possibly the most underrated thing on this list is safety courses. The WREC offers training in American Red Cross CPR, AED, Basic First Aid, and Lifeguard Certification classes. For more info, check out their website!
Recreation sports
From intramurals to both competitive and recreational sports clubs, the WREC has a lot to offer when it comes to getting involved in sports. Depending on which season/semester it is, different sports are offered in intramurals. In the fall there is flag football, basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer. In spring there is softball, basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer. Registration begins on the first day of classes each semester. There are also tournaments throughout the semester that you can register for even after classes have started. To keep updated, you can visit the WREC’s website. For sports clubs, there is an endless list to meet almost everyone’s interests. To find that list, go to the WREC’s website to recreational sports to sports clubs and choose either competitive or recreational. There, you will find a list of clubs as well as a step-by-step process on how to join. This is another cool way to make friends and meet new people!
Adventure Outings
Have you ever wanted to go out and explore but never had a good group or the resources to do it? Luckily for you, we Chico State students have Adventure Outings. “The mission of Adventure Outings (AO) is to enhance the CSU, Chico community through student-powered outdoor recreation.” AO offers many different things to try and accomplish this mission. They offer workshops to teach others how to kayak, they have an equipment rental center, they manage the climbing gym, they oversee Chico’s bicycle repair program, they offer a wilderness orientation program for incoming first years, they host special events, and they offer so much employment through all of these programs that they oversee. Also, probably the most unique thing that AO offers is wilderness trips. Soon, they’ll take a backpacking trip in Northern California and have many more adventures to come.
Indoor track
Not a fan of treadmills? No problem. The WREC has an indoor track on the second floor with a view of the courts and the pool. On the track, there are box jumps, punching bags, and other boxing equipment. The track consists of four lanes and is a little shorter than a regular one.
Events
The WREC also hosts many fun events like bench pressing competitions, rollerblading, and so much more. Make sure to stay up-to-date on current events through their website.
Best locker rooms ever!
This may be unimportant to some, but a really great feature of the WREC is the locker rooms. The locker rooms include dryers to dry off your suit or clothes after the pool, they have showers, plenty of lockers, a door in the back that leads right out to the pool and spa, and full-length mirrors with the best lighting! They’re also kept very clean which is always a plus.
Side note: You can also rent out equipment like yoga mats, lifting belts, and lifting straps at the front desk!
I’ve had so much fun at the WREC and I hope you give these exercises/activities a go, as trying new things is not only important for your physical health, but your mental health as well. I have found that the best times to go are in the mornings before 11 and anytime on Sundays if you’re fond of having a quieter WREC experience.
WREC website: https://as.csuchico.edu/wrec
WREC Instagram: @thewrec
Adventure Outings website: https://as.csuchico.edu/adventure-outings