By Ryan Cole
Located at 601 Heisman Drive, Auburn’s Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) provides championship-level fitness and recreation activities for all University students, faculty, and staff. This space offers opportunities for Auburn’s 30,000+ students to live out the fourth line of The Auburn Creed each and every day: “I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.”
Since its opening in August 2013, the Recreation and Wellness Center has been a highlight of students’ experience here at Auburn. On a normal day, approximately 4,000 students, faculty, and staff visit the RWC. Students receive membership to the RWC at no additional cost during their undergraduate career at Auburn. Immediately upon entering the facility, guests are welcomed by a friendly staff and state-of-the-art design encompassing 240,000 square feet. The most striking feature you notice when arriving at the RWC is a 1/3-mile indoor track with a corkscrew design (the longest of its kind when constructed) available for walkers and runners alike. This, however, is just the beginning – fitness opportunities abound in every corner of the facility and beyond!
Regardless of the type of recreation and fitness activities you enjoy, there is truly something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights of the RWC:
- 130 pieces of cardio equipment
- Weight training areas
- Group fitness spaces for classes on yoga, cycling, barre, HIIT, Zumba, and many more!
- Game room featuring foosball and table tennis
- Personal Training Studio
- Eight regulation-sized basketball courts
- Multi-purpose courts for soccer, badminton, and volleyball
- Racquetball courts
- A wide array of workout equipment that is replaced every 4 years; each Auburn student will have brand new fitness equipment during their time on the Plains
- PGA Tour Golf Simulator with 40+ courses from across the world (my favorite stop in the RWC!)
- Outdoor leisure pool
- A tiger-paw shaped hot tub
Club and intramural sports are also a great way to participate in competitive activities and meet students from across campus. Team sports include basketball, flag football, soccer, kickball, and volleyball. Golf, tennis, and swimming are offered as individual sports as well. No matter your skill level, all students are welcome to compete in intramural sports leagues! Auburn has over 20 club sports teams that compete against other colleges and schools across the country. Some club sports include ultimate Frisbee, rugby, and lacrosse. RWC Connect is a great way to learn about upcoming group fitness classes and events, as well as to join intramural and club sports teams: https://recreation.auburn.edu/.
Auburn’s brand new SportsPlex , which will re-open this fall, is an exciting new addition to the RWC. This project has been years in the making, and will serve over 10,000 students, faculty, and staff who participate in intramural and club sports each year. Check out a drone tour of the new facility below:
For those with a desire to explore the great outdoors, Auburn Outdoors is the place for you! Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or just beginning your journey, Auburn Outdoors provides ample opportunities for students to explore Auburn and surrounding areas. In the RWC, two 50-ft rock-climbing towers and a bouldering cave lets members develop their climbing skills without ever leaving campus. Auburn Outdoors also provides camping and water equipment rentals at daily, weekend, and weekly rates for students wanting to get gear for an affordable getaway. The Auburn Outdoor Bike Shop in the RWC is a one stop shop for all your bicycle rental and repair needs, as well as free resources to help you prepare for your next biking adventure!
With all these features and so much more, it is easy to see why Men’s Health named the RWC as one of the “Coolest College Recreation Centers in America.” Athletic Business has also recognized the center with its “Facilities of Merit Award.” In 2016 and 2017, Auburn’s RWC was named as the top recreation center in the entire country; back-to-back national championships, if you will. I have no doubt that once you visit the Recreation and Wellness Center for the first time, you will see why this location is one of the best of its kind in the entire country.
Interested in learning more? Make sure to follow the RWC on Instagram (@auburncampusrec) and like their page on Facebook (Auburn University Campus Recreation). Also make sure to check out their “Be Well” blog for more information on fitness, outdoor life, and wellness tips here: https://www.bewellauburn.com/.
While not currently open for in-person tours, the RWC staff has created a great virtual tour to allow you to get a better sense of all that the facility has to offer. They look forward to your visit this fall!