War Memorial
War Memorial Hall overlooks the Drillfield directly across from Burruss Hall. The building not only houses recreational sports activities along with workout facilities for faculty, staff, and students, but also contains classrooms for education.
The main part of the facility houses six basketball courts, an indoor swimming pool with lanes and diving equipment where the swim and dive team can often be seen practicing, three wallyball courts, and a weight room.
Although the weight room is sizably smaller than the facility in McComas Hall, it is often much less crowded and caters to not only students, but faculty and staff. There are fewer cardio machines in the cardio room as well.
Air conditioning is sparce in this gym, and it can feel hot to some students.
War Memorial also plays host to Departmernt of Recreational Sports activities such as intramural volleyball tournaments, basketball, wallyball, and water polo throughout the year.
Some other features that are unique to War Memorial are 13 racquetball courts, two squash courts and a gymnastics room. While walking through the main hallway overlooking the pool, students in the gymnastics room or on the squash courts can pause to examine the daily goings-on.
When looking to play sports such as racquetball, squash, or even basketball, patrons can rent equipment from the facility by turning in their Hokie Passport and signing out whatever they need to rent.
Towels for the weight room can be rented from the attendant located outside the weight facility.
If sports are not what students are looking for, there are multiple dance and aerobics rooms that host a wide variety of activities such as boxing lessons, dance classes, and trainer-led aerobic sessions.
After workouts, there are locker rooms with shower facilities and saunas available so all of War Memorial's patrons can freshen up after a hard workout.
Lockers can be rented for $15 each semester.
- by Riley Prendergast
McComas
McComas Hall is a large workout facility, located on Washington Street beside the Cassell Coliseum commuter parking lot, next to the roundabout.
It features a newly renovated 8-lane, 25-meter swimming pool on the basement level. Also, across from the pool are weight training and exercise rooms.
On the building's main floor are three basketball courts and a punching bag for boxing training. Should you wish to play basketball, note that it is difficult to get onto a court quickly after 5:00 p.m., as McComas' peak usage hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night.
Upstairs, there is a jogging/walking track and cardio machines, including stationary bikes, ellipticals, rowing machines and treadmills. Nine laps on the track equals one mile. The track can get very congested during the peak hours, so don't expect to easily navigate during these times.
The weight room boasts a collection of benches, free weights and machines, and all are in good condition. Do not forget a towel when lifting weights, however. If you don't have your own towel, you must rent one for $1 at the main desk, or else you won't be allowed to use the weight room. Lockers are available at $1 per visit. If you are a workout buff and will be frequently visiting McComas, a towel can be rented throughout the entire semester for $20, or $35 for the year. Cash, check, or Hokie Passport are accepted for payment. Lockers can be rented for $10-20 per semester, depending on the size of the locker.
McComas will begin to build an extension to the facility in fall 2010 that will include additional cardio and weight equipment.
- by Josh Parcell
Don't like gyms?
Huckleberry Trail
From the Blacksburg Public Library to the River Valley Mall, there are 5.7 miles of trail for bikers, walkers or runners. You can also get to the trail by heading beyond Lane Stadium on Southgate Drive.
Tennis courts
There are 12 outdoor tennis courts located across from Lee Hall on the other side of Washington Street. The courts are lit at night, so students can play anytime.
Basketball courts
There are two basketball courts on the quad between Pritchard, Lee and O' Shaughnessey halls.
Volleyball courts
There are volleyball courts near Eggleston, Lee, Payne, Vawter, Barringer and the Ambler Johnston halls.