Boulderdash is back!

Attention all Rock Climbers!!

On Tuesday, May 10^th from 6-10pm the Outback Climbing Center will be hosting the 

annual bouldering competition: Boulderdash! This awesome event brings UCSD and San Diego climbers together to test their skills on climbing routes set specifically for this competition. Competitors will climb without ropes or harnesses on different short routes. It is a point based comp and there will be great prizes from the competition sponsors to be awarded to top finishers.

It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out with climbing or an experienced climber! This competition is for all abilities since there will be routes for each skill level. Bring some friends and come out and have fun!

Schedule:

Doors open at 5:00pm

Climbing Competition will begin at 5:30pm and wrap up at 8:30pm

The Final Round is from 8:30-9:30pm for top finishers

If paid before April 20^th, students and Rec Card holders can enter the competition for $25 ($35 for all others) and after April 20^th, the price rises to $27 ($37 for all others). Entrance is free for those not competing.

*Competition entry includes an Allied Climbers of San Diego membership.

Sign up online or in person!

Questions? Call Outback Climbing Center (858-822-1996) or email them at climbingcenter@ucsd.edu

Our NEW Website!

We are excited to announce the launch of our brand NEW WEBSITE, that will make its debut this spring. No more endless clicking and searching to find what you need or struggling to use it on your mobile phone because this new website takes care of all of those problems and more! These are the best features about the new website:

It’s easy to navigate

We all have struggled to find what we were looking for on the old website, right? Well on this new one, different categories are conveniently located at the top with sections like: classes, services, sports, trips, camps, surf shop,climbing center and challenge course! This makes it much easier to find what you are looking for sooner. If you prefer to browse by program area, not to worry! You can continue to use those if you scroll to the bottom of the page. Overall, things are able to be found much easier due to better categorization on our new website.

Hours are quickly found

Have you ever had trouble finding our hours? Not anymore! On the new website, RIMAC, Main Gym, and Outback Surf Shop’s hours are one of the first things you see, so you’ll never have to endlessly search for them again! The other facilities’ hours are just a click away. And they list the current date’s hours, making it even easier to see if your favorite facility is currently open.

It’s mobile friendly

Our old website wasn’t mobile friendly, which made it even harder to use. Now you can pull up the new website on your phone and still have the same accessibility as you do on a computer! The website adjusts to fit your screen and makes your mobile experience more enjoyable with its new mobile friendly feature.

Our social media is at the bottom

Our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages are all located at the bottom of the page, making it easy for you to follow us (hint, hint). See our latest posts and keep updated with everything going on with Recreation by looking at our feeds and/or following us.

There’s a FAQ section

Do you have questions about intramural sports, Outback trips, Rec Classes, or anything else and you want them answered online? We now have a FAQ section that will answer most of your questions! Feel free to search through there before you pick up the phone or walk on in. It’s much more convenient and catered to serve you best.

old URL, new awesome site
recreation.ucsd.edu

 

#GetGraceful– Five Reasons to try Ballet as an Adult

Have you ever wanted to take a ballet class? Perhaps you danced as a child, or maybe your parents never had the time or resources to enroll you in class. Whatever the case, adult ballet classes are gaining popularity, and adults just like you are welcome. Here’s 5 reasons adults should take ballet:

 

It’s a beautiful art form.

Ballet teaches students grace and poise. After all, it was originally performed in the royal court! You will learn movements to classical music that will help your posture, coordination, and introduce you to a rich artistic culture. Adult ballet is not only a great place to get in shape, but it’s full of inspiration to explore.

It’s good exercise.

If you’re tired of traditional aerobics, ballet is a great alternative. Ballet technique works all your major muscle groups, providing a well-rounded workout. It boosts circulation, increases flexibility, and helps you to develop core strength. But don’t worry—a typical adult ballet class is not very intensive. While ballet technique is not easy, you will build up your stamina and strength through progressive exercises that systematically work the entire body from head to toe. Unlike sports activities that are strictly mechanical, ballet allows you to connect with your body and improve your health through beautiful movements and combinations.

It’s not a high-pressure environment.

Adult ballet class is geared to students ages 18 and up. Unfortunately, many adults hesitate to try ballet because they’re afraid they will look silly. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. There is absolutely no pressure to pursue a professional career. Whether you want to learn something new, embrace the challenge, or simply unwind in a nonjudgmental atmosphere, there is a spot for you in adult ballet class.

It’s reasonably priced.

Our Rec Class Program Area offers Beginning and Intermediate Ballet sections along with a Barre Workout Class. The fundamental classes are only $71 for classes twice a week (about 16 classes running you less than $5 a class!). Our Barre workout is once a week for $35 (also less than $5 per class!). Click here to view classes that start the week of April 4th. You can register online or in-person at RIMAC, Main Gym, Canyonview or the Surf Shop.

You don’t have to wear a tutu.

No, you don’t have to wear a tutu in adult ballet class. While the traditional ballet student wears a leotard and tights, you can forgo the spandex as long as your outfit allows you to move freely. Many adult students prefer to wear comfortable exercise clothes like yoga pants and a tank top. Although adult ballet class does not require a strict dress code, it is a sign of respect to wear properly fitted ballet shoes, and have your hair pulled back. Otherwise, don’t stress about having to look like the perfect bun head in class.

These are 5 reasons adults should take ballet. Not only does it provide physical, mental, and emotional benefits, but socially, you have the opportunity to meet others that share your same interests. Adult ballet is a great way to interact with others, and will help you grow as a person and an artist.

About the Author- Bethany Leger taught ballet for 7 years in Dallas, TX. She is the founder of Ballet For Adults, a site dedicated to educating adults about ballet at BalletForAdults.com

Spring into Recreation- Registration is Now Open!

Warm weather is coming, so get your body back in shape or try a new activity this spring with UCSD Recreation! We’ve got fitness classes to intramurals to workshops, so take a look at this list below and find the perfect activity for you to try this spring!

1. Beach Body Fitness

Spring is soon approaching and that means we need to get our bodies back in shape for swimsuit season. So check out our new FitLife class Beach Body Fitness! Join our fitness experts in the weight room and work towards that lean, beach ready body that you are looking for. Get lean, get defined, get beach ready!

2. FitFEST

FitFest is a FREE way to check out what FitLife can do for you! On Wed, March 30 (Main Gym) and Thurs, March 31 (RIMAC), come try new classes, relax in a 10 minute chair massage, tour Rejuvenations-Massage Therapy and Pilates center, and have the opportunity to ask the FitLife experts any questions you have.

3. Intramurals

Want to get sporty? There are many options to choose from for intramurals in spring quarter! Sports offered are: 5-on-5 basketball, beach volleyball doubles, dodgeball, indoor soccer, kickball, softball, spikeball, team tennis, and volleyball! Click here to see which ones are men’s, women’s, and coed. Make sure to get some friends together and get sporty this spring!

4. Mission Bay Aquatic Center

If you are more interested in water activities, Mission Bay Aquatic Center has you covered. They offer sailing, surfing, kayaking, stand up paddling, wakeboarding, wakesurfing & waterskiing, and windsurfing classes that will help you turn your interest in a sport into reality in a safe and welcoming environment. With the warmer weather coming, try to learn a new water sport this spring!

5. Challenge Course Zipline Open House

If you haven’t experienced the Challenge Course on campus yet, make sure to check it out during the Challenge Course Zipline Open House! It’s open on Wed, April 27 from 11am-2pm, and if you are interested, make sure to RSVP at bitly.com/challengeopenhouse

6. Moon God 5k

Run past moonlit bears, giant snakes, falling houses, and the Sun God (UCSD’s giant outdoor art pieces) during one of San Diego’s only night runs! This full moon dash is open to everyone and is happening on Thurs, April 21 starting at 8:30pm. There’s prizes for top finishers and all proceeds support student leadership programs, so sign up today!

7. Kayak Jousting

Grab a partner and compete for the crown at San Diego’s premier Kayak Jousting event! One of you paddles while the other stands in the kayak with a pillow padded jousting pole in hand. You’ll attempt to de-kayak your opponent in this knockout competition event on Friday, April 15 from 5-8pm. Its only $5 if you sign up now! Register at any of our facilities.

8. Guitar-Beginning

Be your own musical luminary in this guitar workshop! Develop your skills to learn your favorite songs and start composing your own material. This workshop focuses on practical skills to get you playing music fast with rock solid fundamentals. Classes happen each Thursday from 4-5:30pm starting April 7^th.

9. Fencing

Try something new this spring by taking one of our fencing Rec Classes! Work on your footwork and blade work while practicing how to make basic attacks, core defenses, and use footwork within a basic bout.

10. Volleyball

With warm spring weather coming, sand volleyball is coming back in season! Sign up for our Sand Volleyball-Beginning/Advanced Rec Class to learn skills and techniques specific to sand courts.  Spiking, serving, setting and more will be covered. And you don’t even have to leave campus! Classes take place in Muir on Saturday mornings from 10-11:30am starting April 2^nd.

#GetAway with our Yoga & Meditation Retreats

Love Yoga and meditation? Then be sure to check out these TWO awesome retreats from FitLife coming up this year.

Silent Meditation Retreat: Silence, Observation, Reflection, and Purification
Mt. Baldy, California 
May 13-15

Master Teachers Michele Hébert and Mehrad Nazari will be hosting the Silent Meditation Retreat in Mt. Baldy, California. This retreat will help participants strengthen their yoga and meditation practices while enjoying the breathtaking views from the top of Mt. Baldy.

Mt. Baldy is located in the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains 40 miles east of Los Angeles. The retreat will happen at the monastic style Mt. Baldy Zen Center, a serene and tranquil place great for yoga and meditation practices.

This unique opportunity to enter the inner tranquility is the perfect way to seek a great sense of meaning in your life while growing a relationship with your SELF. Michele and Mehrad will guide you on this journey as you mediate daily, chant with resident monks, practice Raja/Hatha yoga, and go on a silent hike. All levels of experience are welcome.

Pricing: If paid by April 1^st the price is $495 (Early Bird discount), afterwards the price is $550. Pricing includes all meals and shared accommodations. Shared rooms for couples are also available. Transportation is not included.
Register online here.

Big Island of Hawaii Yoga Adventure Retreat
Sept 10-16

Doesn’t meditating and practicing yoga in Hawaii sound like a trip of a lifetime? If it does, this is the retreat for you! From September 10^th through September 16^th, Master Yoga Teacher Arturo Galvez will be hosting the Big Island Yoga Adventure Retreat where participants will be given the opportunity to unwind from urban living and deepen their yoga and meditation practice, all while experiencing the rural beauty of Hawaii!

There will be early morning and afternoon yoga sessions followed by evening discussion and meditation practices, all lead by Master Teacher Arturo. This retreat allows participants to deepen their personal understanding and practices of yoga while still having time to explore Hawaii.

The retreat center is 120 acres, making it the perfect place to experience Hawaiian culture, explore local beaches, go on nature tours, swim in pools and hot tubs, along with many other adventures! The beautiful and rugged Big Island includes Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and the dramatic lava cliffs of the Kalani coastal area, which is a great place for close-up views of turtles and dolphins, along with seasonal whale watching. Nearby beaches also offer surf breaks and naturally occurring hot pools. This beautiful, serene place is amazing both for meditation and adventure, making this the retreat of a lifetime.

The rustic accommodations are simple, outside-in spaces that offer comfort and tranquility with screened windows to maximize air flow and wonderful views. The meals are fresh local organic and local cuisine that encompasses a variety of styles, serving local topical fruit, vegetables, and freshly caught fish. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are provided as well.

Pricing: Early Bird discount is $995 if paid in full by May 30^th, while the price after May 30^th is $1,150. Pricing includes all meals and shared accommodations; airfare and transportation are not included.
Register online here.

Can’t afford it all now? Not to worry! There is a payment plan option of a $500 deposit by June 1st, with the balance due August 1st.

Continuing education credits are available for yoga teachers through Yoga Alliance for all retreats. For more information contact the coordinator Jennie Olson Six at jolsonsix@ucsd.edu or (858) 822-6304.

#GetRecd with your Valentine <3

Couples who #GetRecd together stay together! Getting active with your valentine or significant other makes you feel more connected as a couple because it creates synchronicity, cooperative spirit, and shared passion. The time you spend together working out becomes “us” time for the two of you, which helps strengthen your connection. So during the month of February, #GetRecd with your valentine by checking out the activities listed below!

Zumbamania

On Friday, February 5^th from 7:30-9:00pm, you and your valentine can come check out Zumbamania in Main Gym for a night of fun while you dance for a good cause—women’s heart disease. To help spread awareness for the disease, Zumbamania is on Nation Wear Red Day so make sure to wear red while you Zumba the night away! It’s FREE and for all skill sets, making it the perfect way to #GetRecd with your valentine. All the information can be found here.

Partner Massage Workshop

On Saturday, February 6th from 9:00am-1:00pm bring your valentine and treat yourselves to a massage experience! In this workshop you will give and receive a full body massage using various techniques taught by the instructor. Doesn’t a massage from your valentine sound great?? For more information and sign ups, click here.

Can’t make the workshop? Not a problem!

Did you know that we have our very own massage studio right here on campus? Treat your special someone to a Massage for Valentine’s Day at the only on-campus massage therapy center – Rejuvenations located in Main Gym. Prices range from $55 to $110. Stop by the RIMAC Sales Desk for a gift certificate.

Dance Classes

Looking for a way to spice up valentines day while getting active? Check out one of our dance classes! For couples there’s Beginning Couples Ballroom and Latin Dance: Beginning Couples, or you can sign up for any other social dance classes that we offer. To find a class that fits your style, check out all our dance classes here.

Some of our dance classes are no longer accepting new students at this point in the quarter, but still take a look at all our classes so you know which ones to sign up for next quarter! There’s classes for all types of dance and skill sets.

Rock Climb Mission Gorge

On Saturday, February 20th Outback Adventures is taking a day trip to Mission Gorge (only 20 minutes from campus) to climb for the day! The climb has excellent routes for both first time and experienced climbers and the guides will lead the group through a fun and challenging progression of climbs. All climbing equipment is provided. It will be fun climbing with your valentine by your side while you see awesome sights and improve your climbing skills! Trip info can be found here.

Recreation is a great way to connect as a couple with the added benefit of keeping both people happy, healthy and in shape! So go out there and #GetRecd with your special someone this Valentine’s Day season 🙂

Terri’s Fitness Corner: The Many Benefits of Suspension Training

Terri Dowie is our very own Assistant Director of FitLife and workout guru extraordinaire. Each quarter she gives us the low-down on a fitness trend/topic. 

You’ve heard people buzzing about suspension training, but you are unsure what it is all about. Something with straps and contraptions…seems a bit scary.

Do not fear! Suspension training is anything but scary, it is a revolutionary form of bodyweight exercise using fitness equipment called a Suspension Trainer (the most popular one on the market is the TRX). Suspension Trainers allow you to perform natural movements and exercises to build strength, lose weight, and tone up.

Suspension training can be adapted for people of all abilities, from absolute beginners to elite athletes. These trainers are essentially length adjustable straps which can be temporarily fixed to an anchor point to allow you to harness your body weight against gravity and carry out exercises in a suspended state. Suspension Training is a superb form of functional training which maximizes strength development, and endurance. Combined with cardiovascular exercise and dedicated strength training a superb way to have a well-rounded routine.

• Trains the entire body and build strength
• Excellent core conditioning and abdominal workout
• Easily adapted to all fitness levels
• Builds functional strength
• Easy set up and portable

Want to learn more? Sign up for one of our FitLife classes: TRX or Total Body Circuit.

Suspension training equipment can be found in our Wellness Studio (downstairs RIMAC). Come in during our “Ask the Trainer” hours : Tuesdays and Thursdays 8–11pm. A FitLife Personal Trainer is in ‘the Studio’, ready to help you, and its FREE!

Zumbamania is back!

Grab your red gear and come join us for a FREE 90 minute Zumba class at the 5th annual Zumbamania, Friday, February 5th from 7:30-9:00pm! There will be giveways and raffle prizes! Bring your friends and come to Main Gym for a night of fun and dance for a good cause—women’s heart disease.

Even though heart disease in women is 80% preventable, it still kills 1 in 3 women. That’s more deaths than from all cancers combined. By spreading awareness, more people will be educated about the red flags and make lifestyle changes before it’s too late. Since the RED campaign started in 2003, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease each day, but more awareness is crucial. Zumbamania is on National Wear Red Day so by wearing red, you can help spread awareness!

Zumba is an aerobic fitness dance phenomenon featuring movements inspired by hip-hop, salsa, merengue, mambo, and more. You can build strength, improve motion and posture, and burn a ton of calories all while having a fun time! It doesn’t matter if you’ve never tried it before because Zumba is made for people of all ages and skill sets. So if you love Zumba or have always wanted to try it out, now is the perfect time. Zumba classes are also offered through UCSD Recreation, so if you want to have more Zumba in your life, sign up for a class by clicking here.

Make sure to come out to help spread awareness for women’s heart disease while Zumbaing the night away!

RSVP to our Facebook event page to receive information and updates. Together, dressed in RED, we dance.

 

10 Ways to Keep the Holiday Weight Off

After weeks off with mom’s home cookin’ it is hard to get back into the swing of college life. Don’t fear, UCSD Recreation is here! We put together 10 ideas to help you get back in shape and stay true to your 2016 resoultion!

1. Student Personal Wellness

If you want a workout and diet plan specific to you, you can check out the FREE personal wellness program offered by UCSD Recreation Fitlife. This program is in a small group setting and helps you develop personal fitness and weight loss goals; from a personal trainer and tips from our Registered Dietician. You’ll receive a personalized workout and diet plan at the end of the program. Classes start the first week of the quarter!

2. East Coast Swing, Lindy & Jitterbug (Dance)

Looking for an energetic way to stay healthy? Try the East Coast Swing, Lindy & Jitterbug Rec Class! You’ll learn the basics of each dance and get to be creative as you dance around the room with your friends.

3. R.I.P.P.E.D

Experience a total body workout, utilizing resistance and cardio training which masterfully combines Resistance, Intervals, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, and Diet components of R.I.P.P.E.D. to help you attain and maintain your physique. This Fitlife class is fun, safe, doable, and extremely effective, burning 750-1,000 calories in just 50 minutes!

You can come check out R.I.P.P.E.D or any of our Winter FitLife classes on the first day of class for FREE. This gives you a chance to try out a class before you register! View the complete schedule online at ucsdrecreation.edu or in our Winter Magzine.

4. Boxing

Improve your speed, balance, and endurance by taking a boxing class! This class is a great way to get a good arm and core workout in. All skill levels and weights are welcome.

5. Aerial Silks

The core strength, endurance, and flexibility required for Aerial Silks will help you tone your muscles, and you get to learn something new at the same time! Aerial Silks workouts burn about 300-400 calories per hour and muscle mass increases with this workout, making it perfect for after the holiday’s exercise.

6. Winter Intramural Sports  

Grab some friends and get active by playing Intramural Sports this Winter! There’s Basketball, Soccer, Team Bowling, Team Rock Climbing, Volleyball, 5-on-5 Football Passing League Football, Tennis Singles Tournament, Log Rolling and Team Golf to choose from. Intramural sports are a fun way to get exercise while meeting new people too!


7. Surfing

Impress your family and friends back at home by learning how to surf with a Rec Class! You’ll learn the fundamentals and understand the ocean conditions after taking this quarter long class. Surfboards are provided and wetsuits can be rented from the Outback Adventures Rental Shop located in Pepper Canyon.

8. Spanos Athletic Performance Center

The newly opened Spanos Center (located by Triton Track & Field Stadium) has state-of-the-art lifting equipment free for anyone with a student ID or Rec Card. Start toning your arms today by lifting at Spanos (read more about the facility and open hours in our previous post!)

9. Rock Climbing

Outback Climbing Center (located inside Canyonview) allows students to climb for $5 (free for the first climb). Not only is rock climbing fun to do, but it burns about 450 calories per hour, so go grab some friends and head over to Outback Climbing Center for some fun exercise!

10. Moonlight Cowles Trip (Outback Adventures)

On January 24^th and February 21^st, Outback Adventures has trips planned for Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails Park. You’ll hike three miles in the moonlight and take in the beautiful skyline views, helping you forget about the stress of school and keeping you in shape at the same time. Its $18 if registered before January 19, and $21 after.

People usually gain 1-2 pounds over the holidays, which isn’t that scary, but the thing is, most people don’t lose it afterwards. That cycle, over and over again, only results in more weight gain. As college students, we are usually more worried about schoolwork than we are about our well-being, so make sure to take some time after this holiday season to exercise your body and maintain your health by participating in some (or all!) of these great activities hosted by yours truly! #GetRecd #GetActive

#GetLifting– Spanos Athletic Performance Center is Now Open!

Situated at the north end of campus, above the Triton Track and Field Stadium is the newly opened Alex G. Spanos Athletic Performance Center, a state-of-the-art facility which offers a unique lifting and workout experience for UCSD atheletes, students and Rec Card holders.

This facility will serve the athletic teams throughout most of the day and be open to Recreation users in the evenings and some weekend hours. There will be a member of the athletic staff’s coaches on the floor at all times. These certified coaches will oversee the facility and provide brief orientations for first-times users of the facility.

So how does it differ from RIMAC?
RIMAC has similar equipment as the Spanos Athletic Performance Center, but everything in Spanos is brand new and state-of-the-art. There is no cardiovascular equipment, so it is targeted to specifically serve lifters. It’s also great for people to learn about new lifting techniques and workout possibilities.

Equipment includes:

Power cages and Olympic lifting bumpers, dumbbells, cable crossovers, Keiser selectorized machines, kettle bells, plyo-boxes, physio balls, glute/ham chairs, along with other equipment.

This concentration of elite lifting equipment in one area allows for more lifting possibilities than RIMAC. It also contains an outdoor conditioning plaza perfect for jump training and sprinting.

There are certain times reserved for student-athletes, but during open recreation hours Spanos is available for individual training. Open recreation hours are:

Monday–Thursday: 6:30pm–11pm

Friday: 6:30pm–9pm

Saturday & Sunday: 11am–5pm

Come by to check it out, schedule a brief orientation and experience the latest addition to the Recreation landscape. #GetLifting #GetRecd