The whir of a stationary bike, the clank of weights, the swish of a basketball net, deep yoga breaths after more than a year of silence the UMass Amherst Recreation Center was again alive with the sound of students when it reopened with all COVID-19 safety procedures in place on March 17. Other Campus Recreation offerings are up and running as well, including intramural sports, the Curry Hicks Pool, and the Mullins Center tennis courts.
At the Rec Center, students are overjoyed to have a safe space to exercise on campus. “They have been dealing with the stress of school and the added stress of COVID, so they are very happy to have a place to blow off that steam and stay active,” says Justin Mantrana ’21, building supervisor for the Recreation Center. The center’s workout floor and cardio machines are open and fitness classes, including spin and yoga, are underway inside, outside, and virtually.