The Anteater Recreation Center — Unfiltered Life at UCI

As an incoming freshman, we are all warned about it: the dreadful “freshman 15,” referring to the 15 pounds freshmen gain within their first year of college. With unlimited servings at the dining halls, late night study seshes with snacks and no parents to tell you how and what to eat, the freshman 15 may seem like a reality. However, it doesn’t have to be. Staying fit and healthy can coexist with a college diet, especially with the Anteater Recreation Center - also known as the ARC - available to all UCI students.

ARC inside, Source Credit- UCI Campus Recreation.jpg

Located about 10 minutes away from the main campus, the ARC is an amazing facility full of various activities, classes and resources that is sure to pique one of your interests. Included in your tuition, membership to the ARC is free for all UCI students, all 365 days out of the year.

For many, the ARC serves simply as a gym. With 2 weight rooms, an activity room, a basketball court, a lap pool and an indoor track, the ARC contains everything you may need to upkeep your exercise routine all school year long. In need of a workout buddy? You can also join a fitness group or even hire a personal trainer to keep you on track.

However, if you’re looking for something with more of a competitive edge, the ARC is also home to UCI’s club and intramural sports. Club sports are student-organized teams that compete against clubs at other colleges. It covers your basic sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball, as well as some not-as-common ones like ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, rowing, rugby, fencing, archery and much more! Joining club sports is a great way to meet other students with similar interests, engage in leadership opportunities and overall, just have fun while staying fit.

Intramural sports are similar to club sports in that they are also student-run teams, but instead are usually comprised of student groups or organizations competing against each other in various sports leagues or tournaments. For example, it’s super common for dorm halls to create their own teams and then compete against other halls in a quarter-long dodgeball tournament. So if you end up joining a campus org, try gathering your own intramural team to boost team bonding and create great memories!

If competitive sports aren’t really your style but you still want to get involved, the ARC also offers weekly recreational classes in martial arts, dance, cooking, aquatics and rock climbing. For those who maybe want less commitment to a class, the ARC also organizes and hosts day-long outdoor excursions in activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking and sailing as well as day trips to LA and San Diego to explore and see new sights. These classes and trips tend be quarterly and cost a fee to join, but are a fun and easy way to learn a new skill and broaden your horizons (and your tastebuds)!

As far as recreation goes, the ARC is a great place to start! With all of the resources and opportunities that the facility has to offer, there is bound to be something that will not only keep you healthy and energized, but also help you find your athletic niche!

To explore the ARC website and see what sports, classes and trips are available next quarter, click here!