What the MCF does RSP mean?
[Written by Shayla S.]
If you are participating in an IM Sport this fall, you are probably following FSU IM RainLine on Twitter for weather updates. Since they only have 140 characters to work with, the IM RainLine likes to abbreviate their posts with MCF, RSP, and WSC. If you are not familiar with these sports facilities, the abbreviations might confuse you. They stand for Main Campus Fields, Rec SportsPlex, and Westside Courts. These are three of the eight sports facilities FSU Campus Recreation has for student recreational use. The other five are Speicher Tennis Center, Tully Gymnasium, The Reservation, The Leach Center, and the Fitness and Movement Clinic (FMC). All of the facilities provide opportunities for students to experience a variety of different recreational use.
The Main Campus Fields (MCF)
The Main Campus Fields is the main outdoor sport facility on campus for student open recreational use. The MCF is an open-access facility on a 13-acre lot with four sports fields open during daylight hours. During the fall and spring semesters, evening hours are also available for recreational use. Equipment checkout is accessible on-site with an FSU card. It is also the site for special events held by FSU. Sport clubs often practice at the fields.
Rec SportsPlex (RSP)
Located off campus, the Rec SportsPlex is used for both Sports Clubs and IM Sports. It is a 108-acre facility with 21 sports fields. IM Flag Football, Soccer, and Softball are the primary sports played at the RSP. There are also fields designated for tournaments for Sport Clubs like Rugby, Lacrosse, Soccer, and Softball. Equipment checkout is also available for students. This is a limited-access facility offering recreational use during specified business hours only.
Westside Courts (WSC)
Located on the west side of FSU’s main campus, the courts are mostly used by students during the year due to its location between dorms. The facility has two basketball courts, two tennis courts, and a sand volleyball court. The WSC is open 24/7 for student use throughout the year. From 5pm-10pm students can check out equipment for use at the courts. After playing at the courts, you can go next door to Fresh Food Company to grab a bite to eat.
Speicher Tennis Center
The Speicher Tennis Center is home to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams and Club Tennis. It is also available for student use. The center contains 12 tennis courts. Daylight and evening hours are available daily, weather permitting. To request for lights on a specific court, call 850-644-2424 before arriving to the facility.
Tully Gymnasium
Tully Gymnasium is the host for IM Sports like volleyball, basketball, and dodgeball. The Intramural Sports offices are located in Tully 1035. It is also a place for NCAA Women’s Volleyball to practice and perform in tournaments. Some Club Sports also use the facility for practice and competitions. Tully Gymnasium is the only sport facility that is not open to walk-in recreation.
The Reservation
Located off campus on Lake Bradford, The Reservation is open throughout the year at different times depending on the season. It is free for current FSU Students and $2 for non-students. The Rez offers rentals of paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks for free to FSU Students. If you don’t want to be in a watercraft, there is a designated swim area available for patrons. On the land, there is a rock wall where the only requirement is closed-toe shoes. There is also a Challenge Course for FSU students and the general public, which you can book through online registration.
The Leach Center
The Leach Center is the largest student recreational gymnasium on campus. It offers a wide variety of exercise equipment and programs. There is an indoor track located on the third floor with views looking down at the Leach pool. If you want to shoot some hoops, the Leach Center has three basketball courts. If you and some friends want to work out together, there are over 100 free group fitness classes offered weekly.
Fitness and Movement Clinic (FMC)
Campus Recreation’s newest facility, the FMC, is located inside of the University’s Wellness Center. The two-story space is used for strength and cardio training. There is also a private studio used for group fitness classes. The FMC has wellness testing and consultations.
All of these facilities provide current FSU students, faculty, and staff with multiple activities. For more information on facility hours and addresses, visit us online at http://campusrec.fsu.edu/sports/facilities/hours.
Shayla Simon is a junior Communications and Media major at Florida State University. She works with Guest Services at The Reservation and is a Outreach Assistant for FSU Campus Rec.
People of the Leach
[Written by Jonathan C.]
Florida State has a total student population of 40,695 students – meaning there are 40,695 student memberships to the Leach Center. That number doesn’t even include all the faculty, alumni, and affiliate memberships that Campus Recreation offers. As a front desk attendant, I come in contact with just about every single person who enters the facility.
- The First-Timers
Freshmen – this one goes out to you. They enter through the exit turnstile, take their towels home with them, and spend, on average, 18 minutes trying to figure out their locker code. It’s okay, we’ve all been there.
- The Regulars
These people come into the gym at the same time. Every day. Every week. They’re besties with the attendants at the front desk, and are normally handed their equipment before even having to ask.
- The Swimmers
Big towels = life. ‘Nuff said.
- The Busy Bees
You barely see them come in and almost never see them leave. They have places to go and people to see. Ten minutes on the treadmill, five on abs, and a couple in the sauna then they’re on their way!
- The Sistas
Doesn’t matter if they’re sorority sisters, actually related or just best friends these girls do every work out in-sync and are continuously chatting up a storm. Their hair and make up is always on fleek. I mean c’mon, what “good” friend lets another go to the gym looking a hot mess?
- The Bros
They come squaded to the leach everyday. Dip Belts, medicine balls, and wrist roller’s are their saviors. They cringe when the #3 women’s basketball is the only one left. Oh, and if they aren’t wearing a tank top, are they even a bro?
- Leach Lovers
Whenever you’re working out, they’re working out. They come in the morning for cardio, the afternoon for some weightlifting, and at night to swim laps. If there were an option to sleep at the Leach, you better believe these people would be first in line to sign up!
- Leach Haters
They rarely make appearances at the Leach, but that’s only because they never seem to catch a break. They show up at 6:30PM: the wait on towels is 25 minutes, they’re forced to spit out their gum, all of the ellipticals are occupied, and the aquatics area is closed due to lightning. Naturally, they choose to go home – if only they could remember which locker was theirs…
If there is one thing I have noticed, it’s that the diversity at Florida State is unlike any other; patrons of all shapes, colors, and sizes walk through the facility doors each day. They all have completely different workout routines, come in at different times throughout the day, and have different eating habits. The one characteristic they all share, however, is dedication.
You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
Actually making it to the gym is the hardest part! So what if you can’t bench-press 300 pounds like the dude sitting next to you? Who cares if your trigonometry professor has double passed you while running on the track? Not everyone can run 5 consecutive miles without stopping. You can certainly try, but don’t hurt yourself in the process. A workout routine might work perfectly for your roommate, but not so perfectly for you. Don’t beat yourself up about it. What’s most important is that you’re at the gym, you’re staying active, and you’re working towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you are interested in finding a workout routine that’s fit for you, check out our Wellness Testing and Personal Training Services.
And if you need a friend, just turn to the left. I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone who can relate to the #struggle.
Jonathan Candella is a junior at Florida State University majoring in Advertising/Communications. He is currently a marketing intern for Campus Recreation.
Regrets of a Graduate
[Written by Angela M.] Having worked for Campus Rec throughout all 4 years of college, you’d think I got the full recreational experience. It was all at my disposal: I was one of the most knowledgeable employees—I had to be, as a marketing team member and former fitness (front line) employee.
I tried almost everything rec-related once. But, I have some regrets. If I knew then what I know now, here’s what I would have done more of in my 4 years:
Try a few more group fitness classes
Throwback to my first kickboxing class when we still used hand stamps for group fitness sign ups #WowI’mOld
I became pretty obsessed with kickboxing and Spinning classes my freshman year when I needed to keep myself busy (shout out to Katie & Tori, my fav instructors!). Then, by senior year, I was hitting yoga 3 times a week to keep myself sane with my hectic schedule. But there’s so much in between! Some classes I wish I tried are Barre Fusion, Cardio Xplosion, and Workout of the Day. (Have you tried them? Tell me what you think in the comments!)
Attend BodyTone with a vengeance
I have only done BodyTone once. It was Summer C semester of my freshman year. Although I was really skinny, I was weak and out of shape. I used all the lightest weights for every exercise we did and I was absolutely mortified that it was so much harder than I anticipated. I left before the class even ended because I was so shocked at how I’d let myself go.
After years of working hard in the gym, I always planned to go to one of Joanna’s 7am BodyTones and use all the heaviest weights for every exercise because #TransformationTuesday, but I never did it.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE REZ!
I would always ask my friends to go with me, and since we all had different schedules, I could rarely get a following. It wasn’t until my senior year that I realized I didn’t need company. Though the Rez is a great place for group activities like canoeing and volleyball, it is incredibly relaxing to paddleboard or lay on the beach yourself.
Take more healthy cooking classes!
A few weeks ago, the marketing team took a healthy cooking class together where we made healthy pizza. We had the best time following 3 different recipes and putting our own personal touches on everything. It was 100% free and 100% delicious. Looking at the schedule for the upcoming semesters, I would literally sign up for every single one of the classes if I could.
Play an intramural sport
I was never on a traditional sports team. I never learned how to play soccer or volleyball. By the time I mustered up the courage to join an intramural team, I tore my ACL (not sport-related) and was never able to sign up. When will we ever have the opportunity to play kickball and flag football with our best friends for championship t-shirts again? Yeah, the #FOMO is real.
Take more trips with OP
This was another thing I got to experience with the Marketing Team. Last year, we took a day trip to St Joseph’s Bay, a private little beach where we kayaked, played volleyball, did handstands, and just hung out. It was one of my favorite experiences with this particular group of friends. I always talked about getting another group together and going on another trip, but never did.
Pro tip: you and your group can request your own trip if you want to do something different than what’s on the schedule.
One of the biggest mistakes I made was always talking about doing things, but letting the time run out before I ever got around to doing them.
My advice is don’t let the time run out on you before you actually LIVE the best 4 years of your life. If you’ve always wanted to sign up for free personal training, do it. If you’ve always wanted to go on an OP trip, do it. Even if you sign up alone—you’ll meet other people on the trip and who knows, they might become your future adventure team.
Angela is a recent FSU graduate with a degree in Professional Sales. She is also an NSCA-certified personal trainer and creative writer for the Campus Rec Marketing Team.
Cravin for some Savin
[Written by Jonathan C.]
I’m a busy person. Between working 30 hours a week at the Leach, studying for Summer classes, and attempting to maintain my social status down College Ave., I barely have time to breathe, let alone cook a healthy dinner for myself. By the end of most of my days, I’m exhausted and end up settling for $1.39 10-piece Chicken McNuggets on my ride home down Pensacola Street.
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” they say, because it starts your day off. If that’s the case, then dinner is the second most important meal because that’s how you end your day (Unless it’s cheat day… which in that case you indulge yourself in a $6.99 Chili’s Molten 
Chocolate Cake for dessert because YOLO). In all seriousness, eating a healthy meal for dinner is vital and, contrary to popular belief, affordable too – even for us college students ballin’ on a budget.
“How?” you might ask. Two words: CROCK and POT
I know what you may be thinking. “A slow cooker? 8 hours? Ain’t nobody got time for that!” WRONG. You do have time. It’s all about planning. The night before, take some chicken out of the freezer to thaw, chop up some of your favorite fresh veggies, and weigh out the right amount of broth so you won’t overfill your Crock-Pot. In the morning, throw it all in, press “start,” go to work, run some errands, make a pit stop at the gym, stop by a friends house, go to the mall, come home and BAM: dinner is made. It’s that simple.
Lemon Pepper Chicken
A penny saved is a penny earned. Homemade meals will save you tons of money. I always had the mentality that cooking food myself would waste more of my money because I would have to purchase all of the ingredients separately. But that isn’t the case. The first grocery store trip may get a little pricey. Don’t freak. Products like spices and olive oil last for long periods of time, so you’re actually getting more bang for your buck.
Nom Nom Nom. With a Crock-Pot you’ll have so much food you won’t know what to do with it all. First off, you could whip up just about anything. Some of my personal favorites include: orange chicken, stuffed peppers, and mac n’ cheez. Depending on how large your Crock-Pot is, you’ll be able to make yourself dinner for the whole week in just one night, or you could invite a friend over for dinner and Netflix & chill. Either way its a win-win situation.
Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
It’s not how much you eat it’s what you eat. Home-cooked meals are, all in all, a lot better for you health-wise. Research shows that people who eat fast food twice or more a week significantly increase their chances of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and long list of other health problems. If you cook your own meals, you won’t be ingesting as much sodium, trans fat, or preservatives. You will be fully aware of everything that is going in (and out of) your body.
This transition will take time. Don’t be afraid to call your mom for advice or to use your iPhone for something other than Instagram and Google some recipes. Going from having all your meals prepared for you to actually having to put in work will feel different at first, but it will be so worth it in the end – for both your body and your bank account. #Trust
*For some healthy Crock-Pot recipes click here.
*For some helpful tips for Better Slow-Cooking in Your Crock-Pot click here.
*To register for Healthy Cooking Classes with Wellness click here.
*To register for a Grocery Store Tour click here
Jonathan Candella is a junior at Florida State University majoring in Advertising/Communications. He is currently a marketing intern for Campus Recreation.
The Polar Fitness Test: A Beginner’s Guide
[Written by Angela M.] You’ve seen the signs around the Leach Center, and you’ve heard trainers recommending it. But what is the deal with the Polar fitness test? I’m here to give you a quick summary.
A Polar fitness test is a free 1-hour appointment, during which a Wellness staff member evaluates you in the 5 components of fitness. So, what are the five components of fitness and how do we test them?
Muscular strength is tested using a 1-rep max estimate. A 1-rep max is the maximum amount of weight that you can push or pull (depending on the exercise) before the point of failure. During a Polar fitness test, we use the leg press and chest press to assess one rep maxes.
Muscular endurance is what you are training when you do high repetitions of an exercise without stopping. In the Polar test, the number of push-ups and sit-ups you can complete without resting is recorded to measure your endurance.
Cardio endurance is assessed either by utilizing a 3-minute step test or jogging on the treadmill. After completing this portion of the test, you will receive your estimated V02 max. A VO2 max can be summed up as the amount of oxygen your body can use during aerobic exercise. The higher the number, the better your cardio endurance. Good cardio and muscular endurance are typically goals of athletes who compete in things such as triathlons, where their bodies work continuously for a few hours at a time.
Flexibility refers to your body’s range of motion around a given joint (i.e. your knee, hip, etc.). Some people naturally have more flexibility than others, and some people need to work harder on it by stretching regularly. The sit and reach test is exactly as its name states. With a greater range of motion in your joints, you can perform exercises more effectively to use your muscles optimally. We recommend that you stretch each muscle group for a few rounds of 15-30 seconds 5-7 times per week.
Body composition tells you how much fat and lean mass is on your body. Your value is found on a chart to determine whether your body composition falls in the healthy range. A higher body fat percentage often leads to a greater risk of developing obesity, heart problems, and diabetes.
At the end of the test, a software program calculates your scores on all of these components together (where your actual age and gender are factored in) to give you your body’s “age”. The better your scores are on the test, the “younger” your body is. Improving on any or all of the components will help you attain a younger body, as well as reduce your risk of health problems. The Polar fitness test is a fast, free way to assess your physical condition and keep track of progress on your fitness goals.
When you follow a training program for strength or endurance gains, you can see a lot of improvement over the course of a few months. The same concept applies to nutrition. Getting a Polar fitness test every 6-8 weeks will help you see steady progress and keep you motivated. Visit the Fitness Counter to sign up for your free Polar fitness test!
Angela M. is a senior Professional Sales major at Florida State University. She is a Creative Writing Intern for FSU Campus Rec and an NSCA-certified personal trainer.
Keep Your Promise
[written by Carla S.]
With the start of a new year comes the renewal of the least kept promise: healthier eating. Being a college student, this challenge seems to be inherently more difficult. With no money and a non-stop schedule, a student’s first priority is not sautéing fresh vegetables to accompany a piece of organic chicken breast. However, I have found that with two minor changes to the way that I approach food, healthier eating is quite possible as a college student.
One of the most obvious, but in my opinion, most challenging diet changes is portion control. Having no sense of the amount of food I was serving myself, my first step toward a balanced diet was buying a food scale and a set of measuring cups. After a few weeks, this small step drastically changed my view on meals. I found that being aware of the recommended serving sizes made choosing healthier options more appealing, which leads me to my second diet change.
The foundation for better eating habits is the practice of “this versus that.” Do I buy fried or grilled chicken? Do I drink a soda or water? Do I have a bag of chips or a bowl of fruit? I learned from past failures, when I altered my whole diet all at once, unhealthy cravings became all the more prevalent and irresistible. So I began slowly, choosing grilled chicken nuggets on my trips to Chick-fil-A but still enjoying fries. The longer I did this, the healthier choices I made, and the more balanced my meals became.
Keep in mind that healthier eating is a lifestyle change and a slow process. It is a long-term commitment. However, a little more than a year later and 30 pounds lighter, I am happy to say I have kept the once seemingly unrealistic promise of healthier eating habits while also staying within my tight college budget.
Carla is a junior Advertising major at Florida State University. She is currently a marketing intern for Campus Recreation.
Oh The Places You’ll Go!
[written by Casey D.]
“I would go, but I don’t have a way out there,” or the ever popular, “Sounds fun, but I can’t afford the gas money to drive all around town,” seem to be recurring themes across friend groups and intramural sport teams alike. Well, it has arrived…the biggest excuse stopper. FSU Campus Rec has listened to the comments and suggestions of students and has recently launched Rec Ride, the newest addition to the ongoing list of programs available to the Florida State community through FSU Campus Rec.
Rec Ride is a free transportation system that provides students with rides to not only the Rec SportsPlex, but to the Rez as well. This concept has been considered for years, and has finally launched this semester. Rec Ride runs different shuttle routes at a variety of times, to accommodate the busy lives of students and the late nights demanded by intramural sports. With shuttles running almost every day and with the latest shuttle leaving at 11:30 PM on some nights, Rec Ride addresses the most common problem with the Rez and the RecSportsPlex- getting there.
This free service will help eliminate the craziness of intramural game night. That last minute shuffle to arrange everyone’s rides and assure the minimum number of participants to avoid forfeiting a game is now less stressful. There is almost nothing crazier and time pressing than when an intramural captain receives that last minute phone call bearing the news that a star player will not be able to make it to the game because they are stuck on campus with no way to the Rec SportsPlex. Instead of panicking, the teammate can now simply take the next Rec Ride shuttle out to the fields to meet their team.
Likewise, we are all aware of those beautiful days, the ones in which minds cannot help but daydream of paddle boarding on Lake Bradford or catching up on some reading soaking up the sun. Now the trek out to the Rez is easier than ever, after simply flashing a student ID to the Rec Ride driver, students can hop into the shuttle and make their daydreams come to life.
“Rideless” will no longer be a reason for not participating in off campus intramural sports or going all four years without experiencing the FSU Reservation. So, grab your FSU ID, check the schedule posted online at campusrec.fsu.edu, and start walking toward the St. Augustine Street Parking Garage — the next shuttle should be arriving in fifteen minutes.
Casey Dunphy is a senior, double majoring in English and Sport Management. She works for Outdoor Pursuits and Marketing within FSU Campus Rec. Casey is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Life Guard, and Leave No Trace Instructor.
FSU Sport Clubs: Benefits Far Beyond Athletics
[written by Angela M.]
A lot of people don’t realize how competitive and rewarding sport clubs are because club athletes do not have the Varsity title. Colleen Fahey and Dana Meschisi are two FSU rugby alumnae who exemplify the success that can come from being club athletes. Though the two played about thirty years apart from each other, one lesson from their experiences withstands the test of time: being a committed member of a club team can be a reality for anyone who is driven enough.
Colleen Fahey playing for Florida State
Upon arriving to the first rugby practice of the season, Colleen took one horrified look at the experienced players and walked out. Two years later, after some convincing from a few friends on the team, she gave it a second chance. Much to her surprise, Colleen was a natural.
Like Colleen, Dana also had no rugby experience prior to taking a chance her freshman year. Dana also took to rugby like a fish to water, eventually becoming the team captain.
Though many students fear not being able to juggle life as an athlete with their first priority of school, Dana believes that her commitment to the rugby team actually helped her become a better student.
“Being part of the sport club family really made me more responsible in all aspects of my life,” she said, “What I gained from playing on my team was priceless: lifelong friendships across the country and I grew up into a responsible adult.”
Dana Meschisi playing for Florida State
Colleen shared a similar sentiment. She laughed, “We studied in the vans on our way to rugby tournaments. One time, we rode all the way to Chicago. We jumped out of the van, played our tournament, and jumped back in to ride straight back to Tallahassee so we didn’t miss much class.”
In addition to developing athletic and academic skills, club athletes learn many vital career skills. Dana explained that balancing rugby and school forced her to manage her time better and become more financially savvy.
Dana and Colleen also believe that their time as FSU rugby players showed them the importance of being a good teammate.
Colleen reminisced about winning the national rugby tournament, “It was so rewarding because we did it as a team. When we scored, it was because the ball was passed through everyone’s hands, not just one person running it.”
Colleen and the FSU 1985 National Champions
Dana’s favorite memory from playing for Florida State was a day when she received a pep-talk during a troubling time in her life. Knowing what Dana was going through, her coach pulled her aside and told her, “It’s times like these that either make a true champion step up or make a weak person crumble under pressure. You need to prove who you are.”
In the last 15 seconds of her match, and with her team down by a try (like a touchdown in football), Dana put her heart into the game. After receiving the ball, faking a pass, and sprinting as fast as she could, Dana scored the winning points for that match.
“I will never forget the feeling I had that day and will be forever grateful for the wise words from my coach, the support from my teammates that morning and the strength I had to have as their captain to finish the job for my team,” Dana recalls.
Colleen and Dana have a lot in common, but one of the most important links between the two is that neither of them had ever played rugby before college. They never guessed that showing up to that first practice could lead them down a path that involved a future in athletics.
Dana posing with her new USA Rugby uniforms
In January of 2014, Dana moved out to California to pursue her rugby dreams. She is now a full-time resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center on the women’s rugby team.
Colleen remained a vital part of the FSU Rugby Club, spending a few years coaching when she was no longer eligible to play. More recently, Colleen’s hunger for competition led her to discover her newest passion, CrossFit. She was recently named the champion of her division in the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games.
Colleen’s advice to students who are considering joining a sport club is to face your fears because the rewards outweigh the risk.
“My only regret is not starting sooner,” she admitted.
Visit campusrec.fsu.edu/sportclubs for more information about FSU sport clubs.
Photos courtesy of Colleen Fahey and Dana Meschisi.
Angela M. is a junior at Florida State University majoring in Marketing. She is an NSCA-certified personal trainer.
GTS: One Machine, No Limits
[Derika C.]
I recently took the Gravity Training System (GTS) class offered at Leach. Surprisingly, the class recharged my motivation to workout. Using only one machine, I completed a workout that engaged every muscle group.
GTS is a small, beginner-friendly class, so don’t let the name intimidate you. The GTS machine provides a full-body, intense workout in a short time. Using only body weight resistance, with the help of gravity, you set the tone and really see what your body can accomplish.
Starting with a warm-up of squats and jumps (work those glutes), the instructor transitioned me through various exercises. Truthfully, after completing the leg warm-up with only a trickle of burn, I underestimated the class. Lifting bodyweight is completely different from using a machine – a concept I learned quickly during the class.
Since I run all the time, my legs were used to carrying my weight, but my arms were screaming when we transitioned to upper-body. I had to talk myself out of quitting several times because it was so challenging. Nevertheless, afterward, I felt rejuvenated, refreshed, and eager to workout again.
I can’t wait to go back for more because I felt sore almost 
immediately after the class was done. After two weeks of taking the class, I started regaining muscle definition in my arms and abs.
If you are looking for something different that will get you the results you want, I highly recommended signing up for the next GTS class!
Derika C. is a senior at Florida State University. She is majoring in Information, Communication, & Technology.
FSU Campus Recreation 