NSO guide to balancing books and burpees at Penn State | Lifestyle

For the gym rats out there or those looking to stay away from the freshman 15, there are plenty of fitness locations spread throughout campus with a number of amenities. Keeping a balance in college is key to staying on track and still enjoying some Berkey Creamery ice cream every now and then.

Penn State boasts seven recreational facilities on the student affairs website, including the IM Building, IM Fields, Hepper Fitness Center, McCoy Natatorium, Stone Valley Recreation Center, The Tennis Center and White Building.

If you’re looking to lift some weights or take a jog on the treadmill, the IM building has those and more. Located on Curtin Road, tucked in between East Halls and Beaver Stadium, the IM building offers a variety of free weight stations, dumbbell areas and cardio machines.

For those more into activity based workouts, the center also has an indoor turf field, indoor track, martial arts rooms, table tennis, racquetball courts, a climbing suite and bouldering wall. College is the time to try new things, and if you’re not afraid of heights, the 40 foot tall climbing suite might be right up your alley.

If you like staying active with friends or just have a competitive edge, a game of IM football or soccer with some fellow Penn Staters at the IM Fields could be a perfect afternoon. Located behind the Natatorium, Bigler West Field hosts Club Sports practices and other intramural programs.

The Park Avenue Fields, on East Park Ave, are a total of 12 acres and hold evening Intramural Sports leagues and Club Sports practices. The West Fields host similar events and are among some great places to get outside.

Over on Burrowes Road, tucked into Rec Hall, the Hepper Fitness Center is filled with free-weight sections, treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, steppers and rowers. They also offer personal training packages for those looking for a more personalized workout experience.

The McCoy Natatorium on Bigler Road is perfect for taking a dip in the pool on hot days in Pollock Halls. The Natatorium offers chances to partake in recreational swimming, club sports, intramural events and other aquatic events.

With indoor and outdoor swimming pools, you can stay active all year round, even during 20 degree Pennsylvania mornings. If you’re more into hiking and exploring the beautiful valleys in the Keystone State, Stone Valley Recreation Center is a great spot to get out and take in the sunshine.

14 miles from campus, the recreation area includes over 20 miles of trails, the 72-acre Lake Perez, a picnic area, challenge course and even cabin and pavilion rentals. Paddle boats, canoes and kayaks are all rentable by students during a day trip to Lake Perez.

Over on Millenium Drive, that fresh rubber smell of tennis balls is a big draw to the Tennis Center, or maybe just the fact that people enjoy playing tennis. Tennis Center memberships are available to students, faculty, staff and community members who are interested in honing in on their racket skills.

Programs are offered for all levels from beginner to tournament, so don’t feel afraid to try your hand at tennis for the first time.

Centrally located on campus, next to the HUB, the White Building is a popular gym spot for students. The strength and fitness center holds 75 plate-loaded stations, 50 free weight stations, and 60 cardio machines. The facility also houses an indoor pool, two basketball courts and multi-use rooms for scheduled group fitness classes and more.

With so much on a student’s plate, Penn State’s fitness facilities make it easy to stay in shape and have fun while doing so — all without missing a beat.

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