Written by Lindsay (she/her), student
Although studying what you love in university can be fulfilling, it can also be overwhelming. What better place to unwind and keep your mind and body healthy than right here on campus?
In university, you'll likely have some days that are filled with lectures, labs, tutorials, study groups, and projects. However, you’ll almost always have at least two to three hours in a day that can be used for things besides studying.
Some students choose to participate in recreational activities before, between, or after classes, or whenever they have some free time. If you’d like to learn about what athletics and recreation services are offered on campus, keep reading to find out how you can take advantage of the many opportunities offered to you as a student at Waterloo!
Facilities
Most of Waterloo's athletic activities are offered in two buildings (although there are gyms in some residences). The first facility is Columbia Icefield (CIF), located at the north end of campus, and the second is the Physical Activities Complex (PAC), which is located right in the heart of campus, in the Student Life Centre (SLC).
CIF
CIF is home to three gyms, a baseball diamond, an arena, a fitness center, and a studio for fitness classes. It features the Warrior Field, a multisport turf field that houses some of our varsity teams (like football and rugby). There's also the Field House 5, which is 65,000 square feet dedicated to intramural games, drop-in recreation, sports clubs, and varsity sports team practices.
The Columbia Icefield features three gyms, a baseball diamond, an arena, a fitness center, a studio for fitness classes, five playing fields and a new field house.
PAC
The PAC has a regulation size basketball court, which makes it the home of our varsity basketball and volleyball teams. It also has a swimming pool, squash courts, studio spaces, a two-level gym, and a fitness area called The Warrior Zone.
The convenient location of PAC makes it the go-to fitness spot for many Waterloo students.
The Warrior Zone is a great place to work out, especially if you’re trying to squeeze in some workout time between classes. Studio spaces also hold fun fitness classes such as yoga, cycling, and Zumba for the days when you want to switch up your routine. PAC also features a climbing and bouldering wall that allows students to drop in free of cost!
And the best part of these facilities? They're open past midnight everyday (including weekends) to fit your schedule and fitness needs!
Watch these co-op students try rock-climbing at PAC for the first time!
I really enjoy spending my evenings at PAC, the vast amount of equipment as well as the massive gym space allows me to focus on myself and engage with having options to join rock climbing sessions hosted by the University of Waterloo student staff. There are tons of ways to stay fit without leaving or having to pay a trainer!
Elevate your game: join a varsity team!
If you feel like you’ve got what it takes to represent the University of Waterloo, you should definitely consider joining one of our varsity teams! We have more than 30 teams that proudly bleed black and gold. Waterloo has women’s, men’s, and co-ed varsity teams that range from basketball to football to Nordic skiing!
And if you're worried it's too late, fear not! A common myth about varsity sports is that the only way you can be a part of a team is if you’re recruited – that’s definitely not the case! If you’re interested in joining a varsity team, visit the Waterloo Warriors website.
Going into university, I always knew that I wanted to play a competitive sport, but didn't know exactly how to get involved. After hearing about try-outs for the varsity squash team during my first week of classes, I knew I still had a chance.
This goes to show that if you train hard and are passionate about your sport, there's the possibility that you could make your way onto a varsity team!
Play at your own pace — and leisure
Maybe you’re not feeling the whole competitive side of being a varsity athlete, but still want to play the game you love. Luckily, there are many intramural sports you can play, such as basketball, flag football, soccer, hockey, and even dodge ball!
Intramural sports are organized leagues that have teams within the school that play each other. You can also choose which league to play in based on difficulty level — casual, semi-competitive, and competitive.
If organized sports aren't your thing, don't worry. Just like everything on campus, there's a club for that, and most importantly, a place for you!
It's a lot of fun forming an intramural team with friends on campus and having a great time relieving stress from the day.
Not into sports? No problem!
Aside from varsity sports and intramural leagues, there are also athletic clubs. The way these clubs function depends on what the club is focused on. For example, the UW Muay Thai Club offers classes throughout the week based on students' abilities.
Their class format is like the Dragon Boat Club, where they have different teams based on their skill level. Once assigned to a specific team, they train a couple times per week and have group workouts together.
In addition to these, there’s the UW Dance Company, Outers Club, karate, Jiu-Jitsu, and so many more. If you have a hobby and want to join a group of people who share it, a club is the perfect solution.
And, if you have a hobby that doesn't yet have a club on campus, you can create one! At Waterloo, you're always encouraged to share what you love doing with others — whether that be through clubs or other communities is up to you!
Take a class that won't count for grades
If you want to get a great workout, meet new people, and have fun, fitness classes are the perfect option.
Classes include cardio, strength, and flexibility; yoga and Pilates; as well as aquatics. All classes are taught by certified instructors to ensure that you’re correctly performing the exercises while having fun.
Resources
If you’re new to the fitness-sphere, much of what has been mentioned can be overwhelming and you might not know where to start. That’s totally okay! We have some great resources that can help you.
If you’re new to working out, we have some phenomenal students who are also certified personal trainers that work at both Columbia Icefield and the Physical Activities Complex.
Personal trainers can introduce you to basic exercises that can help you fulfill your fitness goals and support you throughout your fitness journey.
Wellness services such as a motivational program called Move Your Mind and a nutrition guidebook are also offered to help you adhere to healthy habits that fuel both your body and mind.
Nevertheless, there is no shortage of resources for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing — Athletics and Recreation is dedicated to helping you channel your best, healthiest self!
Questions?
If you have questions regarding classes, clubs, and/or facilities, we have helpful staff members at both CIF and PAC. They can answer questions about any of the services offered by Athletics and Recreation.
If this guide hasn’t answered all your questions or you still want to learn more, visit the Athletics and Recreation website.
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