Have you ever wanted to be physically active on campus but did not know what was happening on campus? Healthy Carolina has gathered details regarding various physical activity programs available at the University of South Carolina.  Healthy Carolina aims at making healthy choices simple and helps you stay physically active on campus!

Aquatics

Aquatic availabilities are possible through the office of Campus Recreation. There are currently two indoor swimming pools, which are open year round and one outdoor swimming pool, which is open seasonally from March to October available for use by the University of South Carolina community. For more information, please visit http://campusrec.sc.edu/aquatics/default.html. To participate in Aquatic Group Exercise classes, please see the GX schedule available at http://campusrec.sc.edu/fitness/group/default.html.

Club Sports

Club Sports, supported by the Division of Student Affairs and Department of Academic Support, provides opportunities for the University of South Carolina community to become active with a group of students with similar interests. To view a complete list of Club Sports, please visit http://web.sa.sc.edu/sport.asp.

If a club sport is not represented and there is interest in beginning a new club, please see http://web.sa.sc.edu/become.htm. There are many benefits to having a registered student organization. Becoming registered is the key.

Exercise Consultations

Campus Wellness has partnered with Campus Recreation to offer exercise consultations for those interested in learning about starting a fitness program or who want to become more familiar with the equipment. These exercise consultations are open to students, faculty, and staff and can occur in the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center or the Solomon Blatt Physical Education Center. To register for a one-on-one exercise consultation call Campus Wellness at (803) 576-9393.

Group Exercise

Campus Recreation offers a Group Exercise (GX) program to provide a variety of fun and challenging classes to help you stay fit and healthy. After purchasing a GX Pass you may enjoy all that GX has to offer for that semester. With approximately 85 classes per week, you are sure to find something to satisfy your personal goals and needs. Instructors are nationally certified and/or have completed the in-house instructor training program. All University of South Carolina students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the GX program. To view the current schedule of GX classes, please visit http://campusrec.sc.edu/fitness/group/default.html.

Intramural Sports

Whether you are a three letter varsity athlete or have never picked up a racquet, Intramural Sports is for you! There are over 25 sport leagues, tournaments, and special events to choose from. Find some teammates, register for a time convenient for you, come out and compete or just have fun (or both!) Try and win that infamous Intramural Sports Championship T-shirt (sought by many, worn by few!) Check out the details on our web site at http://campusrec.sc.edu/intramurals/default.html stop by the Intramural Sports Office, email us at intramurals@sc.edu, or give us a call at (803) 576-9387.

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation is the place for all your outdoor adventure needs. Get outside, play in the woods, summit a mountain, run a river, or sleep under the stars. New to Outdoor Recreation are our trips and clinics that are offered throughout the year. The climbing wall is open for free climb and bouldering. There are also several climbing wall clinics and events hosted annually. Outdoor Recreation is a great way to introduce you to the outdoors or to freshen up your skills. A resource library including books, magazines and videos to help you explore the South Carolina wilderness and beyond are available at the Outdoor Recreation office. Happy Trails! Visit the Outdoor Recreation website at http://campusrec.sc.edu/orec/default.html.

Strength & Conditioning

To fulfill the needs for strength & conditioning, the University of South Carolina has the availability of two workout facilities; The Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center and the Solomon Blatt Physical Education Center.

• Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center

Strength Area

Located on the main floor, this area encompasses 18,000 square feet and houses a variety of equipment for any type of training. The various selectorized machines, plate-loaded equipment, free weights, and GPI dumbbells total nearly 16 tons of weight. This includes equipment from Atlantis, Free Motion, Strive, Nautilus, Power Lift, Sorinex, and Pulse (ADA accessible). Also included is equipment from Keiser, which offers air compression as resistance. The 160 pieces of strength equipment offer enough diversity that individuals of all fitness levels can enjoy a quality workout. Add to that our four flat-screen plasma televisions mounted on the walls, and the strength and conditioning area is second to none.

Cardiovascular Area

The Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center boasts over 80 cardiovascular machines, as well as a 3-lane, 1/7 mile Mondo walking/running track. This area is located on the third floor and includes: arc trainers, elliptical machines, treadmills, recumbent bikes, upright bikes, stair climbers, rowers, and upper body ergometers. These machines range from Precor, Nordic Track, Cybex, Stairmaster, Life Fitness, Concept II, and SciFit. In addition, 50 Sharp Aquos personal televisions equipped with DVD/CD/MP3 players are attached to the majority of the cardio machines, making up a first-class cardiovascular training area.

• Solomon Blatt Physical Education Center

Strength Area

Located on the third floor and renovated in the summer of 2005, the weight room has now doubled from its original size and boasts all new strength equipment. Nautilus, Atlantis, Body Masters, and Hammer Strength represent the various selectorized machines, plate-loaded equipment, and free weights of the area, to go along with GPI dumbbells. A line of air compression resistance machines by Keiser is also available. This variety of equipment ensures a complete workout can be achieved by all.

Cardiovascular Area

There are two cardiovascular areas located at the PEC that provide excellent options for every individual’s training goals and needs.

1. The cardio area located on the main floor includes elliptical machines and treadmills by Precor and Nordic Track. These machines are limited to 30-minute sessions and must be reserved. The reservation sheets are located at the entrance of the PEC.
   
   
2. 2. The other cardio area is located on the third floor (on the balcony above the weight room) and includes: recumbent bikes, upright bikes, stair climbers, and rowers. These machines range from Precor, Stairmaster, and Concept II.

Walking Programs

A couple different walking programs are available to the University of South Carolina community through Student Health Service’s Campus Wellness office. These programs are available at various times during the semester and may be done individually or in teams of two or four depending on the competition.

• U-Walk
  
  U-Walk is a 14-Week Self-Paced competition where participants select a featured college or university to walk to, and log steps that will gain mileage toward reaching the participating college or university of their choice. Once the participant reaches their college/university, they will receive a t-shirt from that college/university. All participants receive a free pedometer! For more information, please visit http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/cwp/pdf/fwp_activity_uwalk.pdf.
  
  
• Walking Works
  
  Walking Works is a six-week program that lets you determine your team, schedule, and level of involvement. Teams of two and four will compete over the course of six weeks to earn points towards incentives offered from the Campus Wellness office. For more information please visit http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/cwp/pdf/Official%20Rules%20-%20Summer%20'08.pdf. For the registration form, please visit http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/cwp/pdf/Registration%20Form%20-%20Summer%20'08.pdf.
  
  
• WALKTOBER
  
  WALKTOBER is a walking competition held within the month of October. It is possible to sign up as an individual or a team. Winners are determined as the person and the team who walk the most miles. Separate prizes will be awarded for both individuals and teams. All participants will receive a free pedometer! For more information, please call Campus Wellness at (803) 576-9393.