New beginnings and changing priorities don't have to lead to a fitness slump. Luckily, UBC Recreation offers tons of amazing fitness spaces and fun events to help you find your health groove. 

UBC is home to many world-class fitness facilities to help you kick-start your health journey or keep up your fitness routine.

Whether you’re looking for a volleyball league, want to try paddling in Day of the LongBoat, or hope to settle into a gym routine, there are ways to be active at any fitness level.

Here's a round-up of UBC's fitness facilities:

Student Recreation Centre

The Student Recreation Centre (SRC) is home to the BirdCoop Fitness Centre, drop-in sports, fitness classes, intramural leagues, and many more activities—check them out for yourself!

Perks:

• The SRC has lockers—to use them, simply bring your own lock or borrow a free one at the front desk (in exchange for a piece of ID). 

• Drop-in sports (from basketball to badminton) and equipment rentals are free for UBC students.

• Fitness memberships for students start at only $35 a semester and get you access to both the BirdCoop and the ARC fitness centre in the UBC Life Building.

Stay tuned for UBC Free Week from September 10 to 16. You’ll get to try out UBC Recreation fitness classes for free—no registration or experience required!

The ARC at the UBC Life Building

In the basement of the UBC Life Building, work out in a brand new fitness space—all 8,000 square feet of it. But remember your gym etiquette.

Perks:

• Day-use lockers are available for free from the front desk in exchange for an ID card.

• Don’t feel like lugging your gym stuff around? You can rent a locker for a term or longer.  

UBC Aquatic Centre

Dive into the Aquatic Centre for drop-in swimming, aqua fitness classes, swimming lessons, first aid courses, and more. This state-of-the-art facility is also making waves in sustainability. The building’s roof harvests rainwater to replenish water—that saves about 2.7 million litres of water each year!

Perks:

• Drop-in swimming, plus access to the sauna and steam room, is free for UBC students.

• Locker rentals at the Aquatic Centre are 25¢ to $1.00, depending on locker size.

• Did you know: the Aquatic Centre is the only place in the city that offers aqua fitness and yoga classes on inflatable Hydro Boards?

Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre

The Thunderbird Sports Centre is home to 3 ice rinks and lots of hockey and skating programs for all skill levels.

Perks:

• Students get free drop-in skating and can rent skates for $3.50.

War Memorial Gym

The War Memorial gym pays tribute to British Columbians, particularly those who attended UBC, who died during the two World Wars.

Perks:

• Catch the UBC T-Birds here for basketball and volleyball games at discounted student rates, or take part in a volleyball or basketball league yourself. 

Thunderbird Park

This park hosts UBC Varsity teams and community groups on two FieldTurf soccer pitches, a baseball diamond, and a new track and field facility (all of which are open to students). If you’re lucky, you might even spot the UBC Quidditch team catching the Golden Snitch.

Perks:

• Did you know: All artificial turf fields are fully lit for night play.

UBC Tennis Centre

Located next to the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, the UBC Tennis Centre is the only public indoor tennis facility in Vancouver. 

Perks:

• You can book a court up to 24 hours in advance at a discounted student price.

• From drills and lessons to tournaments, check out the variety of discounted student tennis programming. 

UBC Boathouse

Located on the Fraser River, the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse is home to both professional and novice rowing teams. Who knows? Maybe this time next year, you’ll be part of a Dragon Boat team.

Perks:

• You can register for beginner rowing and paddling courses or join a student rowing league.

UBC Baseball Indoor Training Centre

This state-of-the-art (and heated) training centre hosts 4 full-size batting cages, 3 pitching machines, and more. 

Perks

• Training equipment, such as balls, mats, and pitching machines, are available for rental all year round.

UBC Bodyworks Fitness Centre

Designed and run by the School of Kinesiology, the Bodyworks Centre fitness facility has classes, personal training options, a drop-in gym, and more.  

Perks:

• UBC students and staff pay only $2 to drop-in from Monday to Friday between 1:00 to 4:00 pm!

You'd be surprised at what the effects of a good workout can have on your health—physical and beyond—so take advantage of UBC's awesome fitness facilities. Happy sweating!