Recovery Room and Recreation Lounge Open at Pottruck Health and Fitness Center

A new recreation and recovery room opened July 15 at the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.

The recovery room is equipped with Normatec compression boots, Hypervolt 2 massage guns, and a zero gravity recliner. Three bays are focused on sports recovery, including a recliner, massage gun, compression boots, mat, and foam roller. The fourth bay features a full-body massage chair.

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The new additions aim to show that Pottruck is not just a gym, but also a recreation center for students to improve their social well-being.

“We want to change the narrative at Pottruck. We are an on-campus center that offers a holistic approach to wellness,” said Morgen Rosen, associate director of fitness and wellness.

Each cabin can be rented for 30-minute segments for $20 each. The cabins’ massage machines are designed to relieve tension, improve circulation, revitalize muscles and reduce swelling.

Sneha Sebastian, a final year student at Rising College, said the new equipment was very effective.

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“I had started going to the gym again and my legs were really sore,” Sebastian said. “And the equipment was pretty effective; even the lowest setting was really loud.”

Sebastian also talked about how using equipment can make the exercise program more effective.

“Let’s say you dedicate 45 minutes of your day to the gym. You can give yourself an extra 15 to 20 minutes to relax before you go, which I think is probably essential for building muscle and recovery because you’re supposed to rest in between,” she added.

The recreation room is a place for students to relax, play games and study together. It is equipped with sofas, beanbags, puzzles and board games that students can use. Televisions will also be installed and students will be able to connect their computers to them.

“After a workout or after a hard day, it would be nice to go there and relax,” Sebastian said.

Wharton sophomore Nia Matthews agreed that the new additions accomplish the goal of Penn Campus Recreation.

“I think the new rooms added to Pottruck underscore Campus Recreation’s commitment to fostering a supportive and holistic environment for students,” Matthews said. “It takes physical health to a whole new level; it’s no longer just a space for people who lift weights (for example). It’s now a place to relax, recover and socialize. These rooms provide an opportunity to create a whole new form of community on campus.”

Penn Campus Recreation decided to add these two new rooms based on customer feedback, student and faculty surveys, and feedback from students working at Pottruck.

“We noticed that not everyone wants to exercise in our space, but students want to focus on other aspects of their wellness, like social wellness,” Rosen said. “We’re an accessible place on campus where students can connect.”

Rosen noted that an increased focus on adding wellness spaces to campus recreation centers is a topic of discussion at universities across the country right now.

Penn Campus Recreation members attended the 2024 NIRSA Annual Conference and Campus Rec & Wellness Expo. At the conference, discussions took place about the need to create more spaces in recreation centers for students to enjoy, without the hassle of physical exercise, to promote overall wellness.

Rosen said Penn Campus Recreation works to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging and inclusion at Pottruck.

“We always try to show that Pottruck is a place for everyone, that everyone really belongs here,” she said. “Whether you’re a beginner to exercise … or someone who’s interested in low-impact movements … (or) if you’re not interested in traditional exercise … (or) if you’re not interested in moving (your) body, but you still want to work on other forms of wellness, we have spaces to accommodate that.”