University of California Riverside Student Recreation Center

This is my review of the climbing only at the UCR Rec. This is a long review, but I have to let everyone know about the dangerous belaying techniques they advocate here. To any naysayers, I have been climbing for 6 years and have climbed V7, 5.12, and led 5.11 so I’m pretty sure I know what I’m talking about.
Firstly, the new rec center expansion is pretty awesome. I would give a 5 five star rating to everything in the new facility except for the staff at the new indoor rock center.
Facilities: The bouldering wall was definitely lacking: problems made no sense, were too small, were either too highly rated or under rated, and lacked creativity. Given the lack of bouldering space, it would be unfair to give such a harsh critique. The top roping had very good problems and even had awesome natural features, which included some cracks to practice some jamming. Those were the positives.
But the negatives was just too much to not warn people about. While taking the belay test in order to belay, I was given an automatic fail because I «didn’t meet their belaying standards.» These were the reasons that I was failed:
1) According to them, you are allowed to LET GO of your brake hand as long as you «always» have one hand braking the rope. So sure, go ahead and alternate your left and right hand because there’s no way in heaven you will let go when you’re confused on which hand to brake with.
2) Another is your brake hand HAS TO BE ABOVE your device in order to «take a fall.» I wonder what happened to having your brake hand always under your belay device to always maintain friction, prevent falls, and to quickly place under your thigh in order to quickly arrest a fall. I sure as hell can arrest a fall with my hand always right above my device where it is void of friction.
3) Another is they advocate that your brake hand ALWAYS HAS TO BE SNUG to your belay device. It’s too dangerous to have your brake hand away from the belay device because you can’t arrest a fall that way they say! Yes, and you have to feel the pinching between the rope and device between your thumb and fore finger, otherwise your belay technique is inherently dangerous
4) The way I take slack is that I twist my left hand to create some slack and pull down. This makes it much easier to take up the slack. But according to them, you aren’t allowed to do that because you’re creating a «dangerous» amount of slack and instead you have to pull down in order to take up slack. I wonder what the use of the brake hand is for, then.
5) I tied my figure 8 the wrong way which they chastised me about. Thought that it didn’t matter how you get your knot as long as you get the final result. Additionally, they said the same too about my double overhand that I used as a stopper knot. It wasn’t tied the same direction that they would tie so I surely must be an incompetent and dangerous belayer.
6) They said that my harness was not tight enough and I had to make it constrict around me to cut off circulation.
7) And here is the kicker: At the end of their «evaluation» I mentioned that I climbed at Hangar 18 so I’m familiar with belaying and shouldn’t have to be failed. I even had multiple belay cards on my harness to prove that I knew how I belay. Sender One, Planet Granite, Hangar 18, ARC. However, they looked at me snidely abut my membership at Hangar and said «yeah, the reason why we have to teach people how to belay our way is because we have so many people coming in from Hangar that think they know what they’re doing but what they’re doing is dangerous and they’re usually very arrogant.» I didn’t mind that I didn’t comply with their silly rules and regulations. But for them to insult the entire highly experienced climbing community by playing off our climbing experience as rather elementary and inherently «dangerous» is something I cannot stand for. I guess my mentor of V9, 5.14, 5.13 lead, 5.12 trad with 15 years climbing outdoor doesn’t know how to be safe and he doesn’t know how to properly climb. I’m sorry that my «dangerous» belaying techniques taught to me by my mentor could not satisfy or adhere to your «safe» ones.
If I were you, as a climber, I’d take my climbing business elsewhere. Sure the top rope is of pretty good quality and is pretty new. But their incompetent and insulting staff made me feel unwelcome, angry, and disappointed that people like them purport to be «knowledgeable» in climbing. I’m scared for the amount of people that they have already tricked and taught. Advocating their dangerous belay techniques makes me question their ability to properly belay inexperienced climbers. Sure they can keep people safe within the gym. But I definitely would not take this staff to help belay an outdoor expedition with even 5.0 rated climbs. I’d feel safer doing free solo than trust their «competence.» At least with free solo, I know that I can trust myself.

I had the privilege of coming to this gym with my brother. Technically, the only way to
get in to this gym is if you are either a student or pay for an active membership but lucky for me there was a fire alarm happening when I dropped off my bro and I snuck in.
I said I had the privilege of attending because I have been wanting to come here for such a long time since I moved back to Riverside because of their indoor track. As someone who runs, the outdoor running situation in Riverside is absolutely tragic during the summer unless you’re running before 7 am. I was thrilled to be able to run indoors for once and not on the treadmill.
Additionally, there were plenty of free weights available for me to use when I was there. The machines are also really spread out so there is never too many people in one area. Their cardio section is amazing. I don’t think students realize how spoiled they are. At 24 hour fitness where I go, I can only watch what they are playing on TV which is usually horribly boring. The cardio section at UCR has machines with built in tvs that let you watch basically any cable channel, charge your phone, & other stuff. It’s quite nice. The gym also offers bouldering which is loads of fun. The only downside were the restrooms which I thought were small and smelled horrible. Enjoy your gym highlanders!

Always crowded at the beginning of each quarter and at night. The new expansion brought a lot of new equipments which is great. The old SRC is open now too!

This is the best gym I’ve been to! There’s tons of space and its brand new. There’s a huge screen that shows sports and news so it adds some more fun to your time at the gym. All the weights are really new and there are a lot of options and places to exercise. I like the pool area where u can get some air after doing a set or two and even soak up some sun. I’ve been making some great gains at this gym and the hours are really flexible so they’ll fit in with any schedule. The indoor jogging track is pretty cool too. Free back massages are also offered twice a week. Overall, this is the best gym around Riverside.

5 – 6 times a week for 1.5−2 hours is my routine. It is nice to go in the morning when there is no one and you are not limited to which machine to use. If you go during the peak hours which is around noon and night time, you will not be able to get any cardio machine and the whole weight room is packed. The expansion is coming along very well so hopefully its finished soon so I don’t have to wait on machines to workout.

The sole reason I’ve been able to stay in shape during college. Great, accommodating hours. A bit small, and limited equipment, but it is expanding. The expansion is supposed to finish by fall of this year. Can’t wait to see the improvements!

Used to go here often for 2 classes, particularly 1. Cardio Kickboxing & The Body Bootcamp class with Crystle (Krystal?) Banta! I loved that latter class. She left the place about 2 years ago now though. But man was she amazing! I owe it to her, where I’ve learned most of my fitness tips. She personally trained one of my good friends for awhile, too. She was a black belt I believe, being trained by her dad. Super intense. But she also had this amazing body to prove it. We had done plenty of plyometrics and cardio routines with a mix of kickboxing.
Overall, the gym was pretty small but I know they’ve recently renovated the place by extending the building with an indoor pool. I did enjoy using their badminton courts as well as their racquetball courts. All included as part of being a student here.

I «joined» this gym by virtue of me being a student at UCR, and have been coming here 3 – 7 times a week for almost 4 years now. The equipment is pretty new, they have a large array of cardio equipment and basically all you need to get swoll in the actual gym!
Gets way too packed during the end of the day and during each new year, so I guess that’s one of the reasons to why they are building the expansion. The community is great because these are your buddies you workout with day to day and I love the regular members, many of which are my good friends by virtue of just working out here regularly. Staff are way chill, and if it weren’t for the smallish area of the weight room, this would be on par with LA fitness/Gold’s, and some of the other places I’ve lifted at.
The new rec center is sure to be spectacular and I’m excited for the new Highlanders to enjoy that! Go UCR!

the beginning of the quarter is always super packed… just wait til week 3 and it’ll be empty again.
I’ve been trying out yoga and it doesn’t seem too bad. It really is relaxing.

This place is great. I really enjoy being able to workout for free. I’m currently a UCR student and spends up to two to three hours at the gym daily, so I can say I know gyms.
Equipment) fairly new stuff. The machines, bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills are really nice and they are always working.
Rooms) they have aerobic room, basketball court, and racquetball for starters. They also have a one floor weight machines free and regular machines (I call them the girlie ones). This room is probably the most full at peak hours, although it’s the room I use the most… so call me bias.
Cleanliness) I give them a A+, this is because most student who work here also workout. These guys, especially in the weight room, are always putting the weights away and in their proper place (one of my pet-​peeves). In addition, they have those little spray cleaner bottles next to all cardio machines, which clearly says «wipe the machine after your done dude!»
The only reason I don’t, and won’t, give this place a five star is because it does not have a five star amenities, for example, towel service, pool, sauna, steam room, etc. and in reality a gym has to have all that to be a real-​five star gym.

Best place to be when you don’t have class. Sorry way better than the food court. Plus your tuition pays for it so don’t waste this membership.
Let’s get toned!

This place is great. Your tuition pays for the membership so why wouldn’t you go?
Actually I’m guilty of not coming by for an entire year since I didn’t even know where it was (lazy). Also for those that do not have a parking permit. walk or take the bus. There is a ²⁴⁄₇ parking enforcer walking around. I see at least 3 cars getting tickets during the time i’m there. Truthfully, you’re not saving any money if you get 2 tickets so might as well just buy the darn permit. Lets practice smart brain usage.
The place is huge with tennis courts, track (under construction if anyone saw undercover boss… anyone?), weight room, racquet ball, and all sorts of cardio machines as well as classes you can join every hour. (I’m the weird one that watches those classes while using the stair-​master). Super clean and great ventilation im assuming since I don’t smell anyones B.O. at ALL!
The earlier you get here, the better the parking and also more room on the cardio machine. I think they said the place is open til midnight though. not sure exactly what days since I was getting kicked out at 8 the other day. And anyway, temperatures spike up to 100+ degrees in Riverside, better to run indoors rather than faint from the heat. USE IT!

One of the many great perks of being a student, faculty or staff of UCR– the Rec Center!
The classes are great here! I recommend taking Ab-​Attack and a Yoga. The instructors are nice and pleasant. You can even purchase a dvd for Ab-​Attack classes so you can do them at home. awesome. There is a large area indoors dedicated to playing squash too. There’s also an outdoor rock wall climbing area which is pretty fun to do!
The facility is clean, the atmosphere is nice, a majority are college kids.
It is usually a battle to get a cardio machine, sometimes you have to wait in line, which ends up feeling like a waste of time. Fortunately there is an outdoor track to do some cardio when it isn’t raining buckets outside.

I love taking the classes here! My favorites are the Cardio Kickboxing, and the Ab Attack. If you go often, its super fun! Hard, but fun and rewarding at the same time! The instructors are super nice and friendly as well!
The rec center is always kept clean and people are usually nice about cleaning after themselves.
Dont come at night though, you‘ll have a super hard time finding machines to use. I like to come in the morning, when most of the lazy people are still sleeping.
Showers and restrooms here are clean, and plenty of lockers to choose from!
I really hate how you have to pay to go to this gym though. I mean we already pay for the gym membership, now we have to pay for parking? I try to find free parking and just walk a bit to come work out.

If you’re a UCR student and you don’t use the Rec, I can only think of a few reasons for this travesty:
a) You’re lazy.
b) You don’t know we have it.
c) It’s too far from where you live.
d) You don’t have a parking permit for the lot.
e) You’re obese.
— - — - -
In response to each of these problems:
a) Live up to your New Years’ Resolution, get off your damn couch, and go. Our student dues pay for it, and it’s as well equipped as most 24’s/LA Fitnesses/Gold’s. I don’t go here religiously or anything, but I make a point to stop by on occasion and get a decent workout in. Make it worth the money we pay for it.
b) Now you do. Or else you wouldn’t be reading this on Unilocal.
c) Walking to the gym? Exercise before exercise? If this is a problem, refer to e).
d) Again, if this is a problem, refer to e).
e) I can’t help you, but maybe one of the wonderful classes taught by wonderful instructors at the Rec can. Again, your student dues pay for these. Or, just hit the cardio/​weight room. Try and do something for yourself, your aorta will thank you.
— - — - -
Not my usual food review, but here’s five stars for an institution that keeps Highlanders healthy. C’mon guys, use it more often… and stop complaining about its shortcomings. Nowhere’s perfect, but we sure get a lot for our money here.
Five out of five stars. Thanks for doing something right, UCR.

This is where I worked out at most of my time at UCR. By far the best place to work out that I have ever been to. It has just about everything you need. You got a huge weight room, cardio area, dance rooms, racketball rooms, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, track and field, basketball courts, ping pong table, and badminton. The only thing missing here is a swimming pool but hey that might be in the works also. Also not to mention the outdoor excursion stuff they got here.
Best place to work out, any activity is just a heart beat away.
Positives:
Tons of ways to get in shape.
Negatives:
Gets overcrowded, especially during New Years resolutions time and the newbie freshmens.

I liked coming here when I was student at UCR to get my 3 times a week jog. I came here only once or twice my freshman year to try playing badminton with friends, but we were always left in the dust since the courts were reserved well ahead of time by more seasoned players. We eventually went to the tennis courts for some random nighttime fun. Come my sophomore year, I lived in Glen Mor and I couldn’t always depend on the pitiful machinery selection in H Building of Pentland, so I eventually found myself frequenting the Rec Center.
The obvious pros of the rec center are that it’s obviously way larger, with a larger selection of machinery. Actually, I shouldn’t even compare it with the H Building gym room since the Rec Center is essentially THE gym on UCR’s campus. Pretty much, the place is modern and relatively new, and staff is friendly.
I started frequenting here for the treadmills when the H Building gym (which was really close to Glen Mor)‘s ONE treadmill was out of order or hogged by some people. The treadmills here are plentiful, and if you come around noon, I think you’re bound to find an open spot. I know it’s a lot harder to find space at night. I think the treadmills here had little fans or spray water bottles to cool off, so that’s pretty cool. Multiple TV’s are placed in front of the weight room so students on treadmills can watch something to let time pass. Also, the view of the weight room can be quite amusing. I’ve seen people struggling to lift, legs all spread out awkwardly, lone girls trying to lift while a hoard of guys are checking them out, etc etc.
Overall, the Rec Center is an encouraging place for all UCR students, whether you’re a lazy ass (like I admittedly am) or a fitness freak.