Ah, memories of sky-blue mini shorts emblazoned with UNC on the butts are all flooding back to me as I write this. I always thought UNC's rec center was nice until I heard from friends in Texas, New York, and elsewhere who boasted hot-tubs and smoothie shops in their school gyms. So it's not flashy, exactly. It's still a great place to work out. You've got two stories -- cardio equipment and weights on the lower level and more cardio equipment plus two fitness studios on the second floor. The number and diversity of classes offered was exceptional. I mostly got my fill on yoga, kickboxing, hip-hop, and boot camp. They do cap these classes, so be sure to come early for the sign-up sheet. They actually have sign-up sheets for cardio stuff too (30-minute increments). This was a big problem if you tried to come to the gym during peak hours (lunch or 5-7pm). You want to hop up on a bike, but the sign-up sheet has been accounted for for 3 solid hours! The equipment at least is new and maintained very well. There's are also pool privileges (though the pool is in a separate building from the SRC). Fetzer Gym and the Ram's Head center connect and offer the basketball and racketball courts, wall-climbing, etc.
You do have to be a student, faculty, or campus employee to join; but then the annual fee is a bargain and can even be deducted pre-tax from payroll. read more