They might not perform in front of thousands of screaming fans the way the Panthers football and basketball teams do, but many Pitt students stay physically active during the school year by taking advantage of the numerous fitness facilities available across campus. They might not perform in front of thousands of screaming fans the way the Panthers football and basketball teams do, but many Pitt students stay physically active during the school year by taking advantage of the numerous fitness facilities available across campus.

While students often pick their favorite facilities based on their interests, it is important to know the operating hours and locations of the exercise centers. Recreational facilities exist on both upper and lower campus and can be split up into three general categories: fitness facilities, sports facilities and aquatic facilities.

Keep in mind that Pitt identification is usually required to enter these buildings.

Fitness

Students can lift weights and get cardiovascular exercise at several different fitness facilities across campus.

The Baierl Student Recreation Center presents the largest space and most comprehensive set of workout equipment on campus, making it the most favorable fitness facility in the eyes of many students. The vast offerings also contribute to a high level of use, causing some to feel that the center becomes overcrowded and less efficient than other workout options.

Trees Hall on upper campus and Bellefield Hall ­— across from Heinz Chapel — house slightly smaller workout facilities. Although these aren’t usually packed to capacity the way that Baierl can be, most students agree that the later it gets in the day, the more likely it is that a facility will become crowded.

Students living in on-campus housing can take advantage of a multitude of facilities in dormitories and residence halls. There are small fitness centers in many of the residence halls, including Litchfield Towers and Sutherland, Lothrop, Pennsylvania and Panther halls.

Finally, the Fitzgerald Field House is an upper-campus facility that provides a 200-meter indoor track on which students can run or walk during select hours of the day.

Sports

As their name implies, the sports facilities are locations at which students can engage in a variety of recreational or organized team activities, ranging from basketball to racquetball.

Sports facilities are available across campus at the Baierl Recreation Center, Trees Hall, Bellefield Hall, the Fitzgerald Field House and the Cost Sports Center. Because each facility is different, students should consider what sport they want to play when deciding where they plan on going.

Those looking to play basketball can select from Trees Hall, which provides three full-size courts, and Bellefield Hall, which has one full-size basketball court open during the same hours as the building’s fitness facility. There is also a set of outdoor courts located across from the VA Hospital on upper campus.

Field sports like football, lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee or soccer can be played at the Cost Sports Center, located on top of the hill near Sutherland Hall. It provides several outdoor fields for students to use, weather permitting, and it also contains accommodating indoor spaces for additional flexibility. The Cost Sports Center has nine indoor tennis courts and an indoor football field that can be converted into four smaller soccer fields depending on what sport students want to play.

Racquetball is another sport that many students enjoy playing on campus. The most popular racquetball facility is located at the Baierl Recreation Center, which has a total of four racquetball courts available for student use during the same hours as the rest of the facility. Trees Hall also provides a facility for students to play racquetball or handball.

At Trees Hall, a rock-climbing wall and a golf practice area await student use. Students can rent climbing equipment for a small fee.

Volleyball is one sport that is not always available for student participation. Courts are periodically set up in the Fitzgerald Field House as well as in the sports gym in Trees Hall. Students should look for additional information or announcements to find out when these facilities may be used.

Also, students frequently play a variety of sports in the fall and spring months on the lawns surrounding the Cathedral of Learning.

Aquatic

Trees Hall houses an Olympic-size swimming pool and a smaller pool, and Bellefield Hall gives students access to one small pool.

Incoming freshmen and new students aiming to remain active in their first year at Pitt should not hesitate to take advantage of the numerous exercise facilities available to them. By getting a feel for all of these facilities and what they have to offer, students can better decide which ones suit them best and can give them the best possible recreational experience at Pitt.

For more information visit www.intramurals.pitt.edu.

Fall and Spring Fitness Facility Hours:

Baierl Recreation Center:

Monday through Friday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Weekends:10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Trees Hall:

Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Weekends:12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Basketball courts open Monday through Friday: 7:30-8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 3:30-11 p.m.; Saturday: 12-9 p.m.; Sunday: 12-6 p.m.

Swimming pools open Monday through Thursday: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Friday: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Weekends: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Bellefield Hall:

Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday: 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Weekends: 12-5 p.m.

Pool open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and on weekends from 12-5 p.m.