Students looking to get into shape, relax or have some fun need look no further than the Morris Recreation Center on campus.
From aerobics classes, to fitness equipment, to intramural sports and trips, the recreation center offers a variety of activities at convenient times for students. The majority of classes require no additional fees.
“The recreation center strives to offer classes at student-friendly times from 6 to 8 a.m. before most classes start, and from 4 to 8 p.m. when most classes are finished for the day,” said Bill Miller, coordinator of facility operations for the center.
The scheduling strategy is to have classes at times when a broad range of students can attend in order to reach a majority of the student population.
“Our main concern here is always going to be try to cater toward the students, because if it wasn’t for the students we wouldn’t have a purpose here,” Miller said. “We always try to do what we can to expand and always develop new and exciting programs.”
With the exception of individuals taking strictly online classes, students automatically have a membership to the recreation center upon enrollment.
“A non-online student (a student taking face-to-face classes) already pays that rec fee which ends up being the $65 that allows you total access to the fitness center,” Miller said. “As soon as you take that first class, you are already paying that rec fee.”
The membership includes full access to the gym and to a wide variety of activities. Classes offered include Yoga, ballet fit, Pilates and Zumba, which is an exercise class set to upbeat Latin music.
Miller said the center offers classes from basic aerobics to more advanced workouts, and that the class sizes are usually comfortable and allow for more one-on-one student/instructor interaction.
“We usually have at least 20 to 25 people in the class, which is very good,” Miller said. “It’s not too packed to where someone who is uncomfortable can get lost in the crowd.”
Robert Brown, a student who has worked at the recreation center since early last year, said some students utilize the recreation center more than others, but that the center sees new faces on a regular basis as well.
“We get a lot of the same people, but a lot of people don’t use the recreation center even though they pay student fees to get to go here,” Brown said.
The center has 10 full-time staff members that are knowledgeable about the exercise equipment and the events going on at the center.
Although staff will be on hand to help students learn to use the exercise equipment, for students wanting a more personalized workout, certified and knowledgeable personal trainers are available for a fee.
Personal trainer rates for students go from $20 for a fitness assessment, to $200 for a fitness assessment and 15 sessions with a personal trainer. Rates for three, seven and 10 sessions are available as well.
“It’s a nice, cheap alternative here than going to your Gold’s (Gold’s Gym) Bally’s (Bally Total Fitness), or any type of corporate facility,” Miller said. “You are getting a good, nice, cheap rate and you are getting people that are professionally certified.”
Other activities at the center include X-Biking, which is like doing outdoor cycling indoors. In addition, the recreation center offers weight machines, plate machines and a multitude of cardio equipment.
The outdoor adventure program includes the 45-foot rock climbing wall and the Cain Sports Complex, where the nine-hole golf course will be turned into a full 18-hole course by the end of June.
Through the outdoor adventure program, students have the opportunity to take short trips, such as local camping and hiking trips, and trips out of state. At different times each year trips to the Grand Canyon and ski trips will be offered. Coming up during the May mini semester, trips to Hawaii will be scheduled.
For an eight-day trip to Hawaii, the cost to students will be a $50 fee and the airfare, which will be approximately $850.
Informal recreation is right on hand at the center as well, with gym courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton and indoor soccer. Intramural sports are also available in areas such as football, soccer, softball and volleyball, which Miller said seem to be very popular with players and supporters.
Club sports, such as the recent Rockstar Challenge (the event combines rock/paper/scissors with rock climbing and Rock Band) have been added to the schedule.
The aquatics center is equipped with three lap lanes and a “lazy-river”.
“The outdoor pool is definitely one of our popular highlights we have during the May mini/summer session,” Miller said.
More information can also be found through the recreation center Web site at www.tamu-commerce.edu/reccenter, or by calling the recreation center staff at 903-468-3181.
The hours for the recreation center are Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 10 p.m.