Check out Studio 91, a new Campus Rec fitness space for faculty and staff
Studio 91, located inside the rec center at East Sixth Street and North Highland Avenue, is a new fitness space for employees and graduate students. (Photo by Ric Nielsen/Campus Recreation)
Troy Vaughn, senior director, Campus Recreation
Mary Portillo, senior business manager, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
University faculty and staff members are invited to work out at any of Campus Recreation's three locations for free this month to celebrate the grand opening of Studio 91, a new fitness space for employees and graduate students.
Studio 91 is inside SouthREC, the original campus rec center, which is located at East Sixth Street and North Highland Avenue. The new space's name is a nod to the year the center opened – 1991 – and Studio 54, a storied New York City nightclub that is now a Broadway theater.
What you'll find inside Studio 91:
- Circuit training strengthening machines.
- Cardio machines.
- Free weights and squat racks.
Faculty and staff are invited to try out Studio 91 for free by picking up a 10-Punch Pass at the front desk of SouthREC or Campus Rec's other two locations: NorthREC, located at Honors Village, which opened in 2019 and BearDownREC, located inside the Bear Down Building, which opened in 2022. The punch cards can be used to work out at any location.
"This is just a great opportunity for staff and faculty to come in and experience our facilities and programs," said Troy Vaughn, senior director of Campus Recreation. "It will help to create awareness for those who may have never been inside our facilities and, my bigger hope, is that this will positively impact the well-being of the entire University."
To get the most out of the free offer, Campus Recreation encourages faculty and staff members to work out with a buddy or even as a team.
Mary Portillo, a senior business manager in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, enlisted her team to join, along with colleagues in the College of Humanities dean's office.
"I've always been a big health nut and always try to eat, exercise and sleep better," she said. "Our team sits a lot, and getting out of the office, clearing the mind, breaking up the day can lead to new ideas and renewed energy."
Studio 91's grand opening will be held Friday, Aug. 11, from noon-5 p.m. Popcorn and refreshments will be served.
Faculty and staff members can purchase Campus Recreation memberships for a semester or for the year. Payment options include a one-time purchase, payroll deduction or credit card installments. Those interested in classes such as cycling, F45 or yoga can purchase a Group Fitness Pass. More information about the faculty and staff memberships is on the Campus Recreation website, along with information about the locations and hours.