Lifting weights February 12, the first day of recreational workouts at FitRec, is Shazan Khan (CAS’24). Reservations are required for 90-minute exercise sessions—if you book one and don’t show up, you risk losing access for the semester.

Fitness

FitRec Opens for Recreational Exercise, Club Sports Soon

Select PDPs are back, too, and keeping your distance is critical

Been missing your workouts? Good news: FitRec opened February 12 for recreational exercise. Club sports will return February 19.

FitRec is operating at 40 percent capacity, in accordance with Boston’s COVID-19 restrictions. Like last semester, the facility is open only to full-time students. Also like last semester, sign-ups are required for 90-minute exercise sessions (sign up here). You can register for an exercise slot up to three days ahead and you can sign up for one slot per day. Note: no-shows will be tracked, so if you book a time slot, stick to it or risk losing access. (Need to cancel? Do it here.)

“We are so excited to welcome full-time students back into FitRec for their workouts,” says Tim Moore, FitRec executive director. “We have protocols in place with everyone’s health and safety in mind. We know that physical activity reduces stress and elevates our mood, so get ready to make your reservations to come in, lift weights, take a swim, get on a treadmill, dance, or do other approved activities. Protocols, venue-occupancy limits, and way-finding information are posted throughout the facilities. Please abide by these instructions and the direction of facility staff.”

Physical distancing will be strictly enforced, and masks must be worn at all times, unless you’re swimming laps. “Bring a clean mask to replace your workout mask when you’re done,” advises Kristina Covarrubias, PERD (Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) assistant director of marketing. Staff will sanitize the facility between each workout session, but it’s still a good idea to follow gym etiquette and wipe down equipment before and after you use it.

Classes and recreation

So, what’s available? Cardio machines, weights, stretching areas, squash and racquetball courts, and lap swimming are all open for informal recreation. The indoor track, sauna and lazy river, and climbing wall will remain closed. Also off the table: “No basketball, tennis, or volleyball until further notice,” Covarrubias says. However, basketball courts can be used for stretching and personal exercise, and additional strength equipment is available on the indoor track. 

What do you need to get in? On the day of your workout, be ready to show your BU ID and a green badge from your Healthway app before you can enter the building. Locker rooms are for restroom-use only, so come dressed to work out. And bring only what you can carry—no cubbies or coat racks this semester. Water fountains are also off-limits, but bottle-filling stations are available.

What about PDPs? Select physical education credit classes (PDPs) and academic classes began January 25. Participants are expected to maintain 14—not 6—feet of distance from one another while in class. And no, you can’t stay and work out after it’s over: if you don’t have a reservation, you have to leave immediately. In academic classrooms, the standard six feet of distance applies.

Club sports

Select club sports return February 19. “All active clubs were given the ability to restart,” explains Jason Ryan, assistant manager of intramural and club sports. “Due to the extension of the University-sponsored travel ban from the Office of the Provost, several clubs are inactive due to their reliance on off-campus facilities for practice.” 

So, what’s coming back? Badminton, baseball, cricket, cycling, fencing, figure skating, gymnastics, men’s and women’s ice hockey, kendo, kung fu, men’s and women’s rugby, sailing, Shotokan, men’s and women’s soccer, squash, synchronized skating and swimming, table tennis, triathlon, men’s and women’s ultimate frisbee, men’s and women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s water polo.

How will practices work? This semester, practices will be held at FitRec, Nickerson Field, New Balance Field, and Walter Brown Arena. Only one club practice in a space at a time is allowed. Clubs will be divided up into cohorts, with a maximum of 10 people, and cohorts sharing a space must maintain a 15-foot distance from one another. Athletes and coaches must present Healthway green badges at each practice. Everyone also has to wear masks and maintain six feet of space between one another, and sanitize shared equipment after each use. 

Are teams accepting new members? It’s up to them. “Teams are currently evaluating their ability to take on new members based on capacity limits of their practice spaces,” Ryan says, adding that prospective members should consult the club’s social media pages for more information.

What about games? Unfortunately, games are still on hold.

Want more information about FitRec’s reopening? Find answers to FAQs and more here.