Fresno State’s Student Recreation Center (REC) closure has left many students searching other avenues in order to continue their active lifestyles. 

“It is unfortunate that the Rec Center has had to close,” Derek Walters, director of the REC Center said. “But in order to ensure the health and safety of our students, and in compliance with state public health guidelines for higher education institutions, we are not able to be open at this time.”

The REC Center was a lot of students’ main source of being active, including Kaitlyn Jones, a second-year agricultural animal science major.

Jones frequently used the REC Center due to the constant bad air quality in Fresno, but the closure left her with no gym to go to.

Prior to the recent bad air quality, Jones would walk her dog as exercise. However, the air quality has been so bad in Fresno that Jones can no longer get exercise outside and she’s been forced to rely on YouTube videos for exercise.

With the unknowns surrounding COVID-19, stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. One way to relieve these issues can be to exercise.

When the REC center closed, Fidel Moreno-Meza, a former instructor at the REC Center and fourth-year criminology major, found himself becoming less active.

“I got used to having access to the equipment at the REC Center,” Moreno-Meza said. “When it closed it was a challenge, I had to learn new and innovative ways to work out.”

Another student affected by the closure of the REC Center, Jasmine Loza, a fourth-year psychology major, gets her exercise through a workout app called, Workout Women, which also reminds her to be active.

“It has different workout programs with different levels of difficulty which I love,” Loza said. “I set up reminders on my phone so I get notifications daily telling me when to workout.”

A friend can also help remind you to stay active. Moreno-Meza recommends finding a friend that is willing to keep you in check.

The REC’S Instagram page, @fresnostaterec, goes live every Monday at 5:30 P.M., Tuesday at 6 P.M., Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. 

Mondays focus on glutes and abs, Tuesdays and Wednesdays feature a dance fitness class and Saturdays have high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Additionally, the REC center’s website has virtual workouts you can follow such as blogilates; pilates inspired workouts, YMCA 360, YMCA classes from your living room, fitness blender, full-length at-home workouts, LesMills OnDemand, Les Mills classes from your own home, PopSugar Fitness, upbeat dance workouts and Fitbod.