Welcome to Around the Rec!
This program is designed to introduce you to all of what Rec Well has to offer while holistically benefitting your wellbeing.
Complete the Flexes of your choice and earn sweet Rec Well swag.
Here is how it works:
- Complete 5 Flexes → limited-edition Rec Well sticker
- Complete 8 Flexes → limited-edition Rec Well Nalgene water bottle
- Complete 12 Flexes → limited-edition Rec Well crewneck sweatshirt
REGISTER HERE!
Haven't registered for Around the Rec yet? It's not too late!
Sign up by Friday, November 1.
Flexes
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Attend the Bakke Block Party (September 1)
Come hang out with us before the school year starts at the Bakke Block Party! It’s on Sunday, September 1 from 3 – 6pm at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center. We’ll have free ice skating, open recreation, info tables on our programs and clubs, giveaways, and more!
To complete this Flex, all you have to do is swipe into the facility between 2:30 – 6pm on the day of the event. See all event details through the link below.
Attend Nick @ Night (September 5)
Can you believe it’s the fourth year of Nick @ Night? Join us on Thursday, September 5 from 6 – 9pm for free group fitness, open recreation, info tables on our programs and clubs, giveaways, and more!
To complete this Flex, all you have to do is swipe into the facility between 5:30 – 9pm on the day of the event. See all event details through the link below.
Attend Bucky's Great Escape (September 14)*
Join other students in rescuing Bucky from his sett (a badger’s den) by working together to solve puzzles and complete fun team challenges. Come with a friend or come on your own! This will be a fun opportunity to connect with other students.
To complete this Flex, you must register and attend Bucky’s Great Escape on Saturday, September 14 from 1 – 3pm. Registration is open through September 11!
Swim at the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center
Go for a swim at the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center (located at the Nick)! To complete this Flex, swim at least once during an open rec swim time. After getting some laps in, let us know when you swam by filling out a short form. The QR code to the form will be available on the pool deck (ask a lifeguard for help if you can’t find it!).
Check our pool hours and the daily schedules to see when open rec is available.
Attend log rolling at the Cove Pool
Log rolling is IN for the fall. Try it out for yourself at the Cove Pool, located in Bakke! Starting Friday, September 13, join us every other Friday from 7 – 8:30pm* to put your log rolling skills to the test (or learn how to do it). To complete this Flex, attend at least one log rolling session and let us know how you did by completing a short form. The QR code to the form will be available on the pool deck during log rolling sessions (ask a lifeguard for help if you can’t find it!)
Check our pool hours and the daily schedules to see when log rolling is happening.
*Log rolling will not be offered on September 27 or October 11.
Go to a drop-in Athletic Training clinic*
Our athletic trainers are here to help you! Swing by our drop-in Athletic Training clinic, open every Tuesday from 1 – 3pm at the Bakke clinic. You can see an athletic trainer for a variety of things, including injury prevention tips or seeking care for any sort of injury you may have.
To complete this Flex, you must visit at least one drop-in Athletic Training clinic time slot and let us know you were there by submitting a quick form. The QR code for the form will be available at the drop-in clinic. Learn more about our athletic training services through the link below.
Use the Boost Treadmill
The Boost Microgravity Treadmill is available to all Rec Well members through our reservation system for free! You don’t need to be an experienced runner or injured to use it. To complete this Flex, you must use the Boost treadmill at least one time. Here is how to do that:
- Reserve a time to use the Boost treadmill online or in-person at the Member Services desk
- Check in for your reservation at the desk
- Check out a pair of Boost shorts (must be used to operate the treadmill) from the Member Services desk
- Enjoy moving with reduced gravity!
For more information on the Boost Treadmill, check out the link below.
Attend a skate clinic
Glide into some fun at a skate clinic! Skate clinics are free, single-day classes that focus on a specific skating skill, technique, or trick. To complete this Flex, register and attend at least one skate clinic offering. Fall semester clinic dates:
- Friday, September 13
- Friday, October 11
- Friday, November 22
- Friday, December 6
Clinics fill up quickly, be sure to keep an eye on our newsletters to know when registration is open! For more information, check the link below.
Attend a swim clinic
Make a splash at a swim clinic! Swim clinics are free, single day instructional programs focused on specific swimming skills and techniques. Clinics are perfect for any swimmer looking to improve their swimming experience or build new skills. To complete this Flex, register and attend at least one swim clinic offering. Here are the clinic dates for the fall semester:
- Sunday, September 15 @ Cove Pool
- Saturday, October 12 @ Cove Pool
- Sunday, November 10 @ Soderholm
- Monday, December 9 @ Soderholm
Clinics fill up quickly, be sure to keep an eye on our newsletters to know when registration is open! For more information, check the link below.
Climb at Mt. Mendota 3 times
Climbing is also IN this year! Join us for some great bouldering, top roping, and community at Mt. Mendota. To complete this Flex, you must climb at our rock wall at least three times*. Make sure you swipe your Wiscard and check in at the desk!
For wall hours and more information, check the link below.
*One swipe/visit counted per day.
Attend a climbing special event*
Do you want meet other climbers? Or get some technique tips from our climbing staff? Check out our climbing special events! We host several throughout the semester, including:
- New Climbers’ Night
- Women+ Climbing Night
- Queer Climbing Night
To complete this Flex, register and attend at least one special climbing event during the fall semester. For more information on when they are happening, visit the link below.
Follow us on Instagram
This one is simple! To complete this Flex, all you need to do is follow us on Instagram at @uwrecwell. Make sure you include your Instagram username in your registration form so that we can verify your follow. You have until the end of the semester (December 19) to follow us, but you might as well follow us now!
Access the Nick and/or Bakke 25 times
It’s no secret we love seeing Active Badgers in our facilities. To complete this Flex, swipe into the Nick and/or Bakke, at least 25 times*. This can be any combination of facility entries (i.e. 20 times at the Nick and 5 times at Bakke, 15 times at Bakke and 10 times at the Nick, etc.).
Make sure you have your Wiscard and check our building hours for all you need to know.
*One swipe per day is counted toward this Flex.
Attend a Wolf Teaching Kitchen open house
Explore all of what our Nutrition Education program has to offer and enjoy tasty treats at our teaching kitchen open houses! To complete this Flex, attend at least one teaching kitchen open house during the fall semester. Make sure you bring your Wiscard to check in!
We host open houses monthly, keep an eye on our newsletters for our next one!
Attend a Wellbeing workshop*
Tap into all the different dimensions of wellbeing through our wellbeing workshops! Our workshops are free, informative, and fun. To complete this Flex, register for and attend at least one wellbeing workshop. Workshops happen often, so keep an eye on our newsletter and website for all the workshop information.
Participate in individual or drop-in wellness coaching*
Looking for more guidance on your personal wellbeing journey? Try our wellness coaching! Meet with a certified wellness coach and become an expert in what is best for you. To complete this Flex, register for and attend at least one session of individual wellness coaching.
Interested in wellness coaching and want to test it out first? Swing by a drop-in wellness coaching session. Speak to our coaches and see if more structured wellness coaching can benefit you (and get your Flex!). Keep an eye on our newsletters for the next drop-in coaching opportunity and visit our wellness coaching class for more information.
Be a part of an Around the Rec member feature
Did you try an activity at Rec Well for the first time because of Around the Rec? Make a cool memory? Have some simple fun? Share your story with us! We want to feature Active Badgers on our social media and in our newsletters. To complete this Flex, submit the form below for a chance to be featured and share a few sentences about your experience with us.
*Flexes marked with an asterisk are only available to UW-Madison students.
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Rent a locker
To rent a locker, speak to a staff member at our Member Services desks. Lockers are available in all of our indoor facilities for semester or school year rental. Only one locker is required to complete this Flex. Check out rental prices and locker types via the link below.
Be on an active Sport Club roster*
We have more than 50 sport clubs. You can earn this Flex by being an active member in one of them! If you are interested in being on a club team, check their webpages for information on how to get involved. Financial and time commitments vary by club.
Attend swim lessons
We offer group swim lessons for every level, from beginner to advanced (level 1 – 3). To complete this Flex, register and attend at least one swim lesson session offered during the fall semester. Visit our swim lessons page for more information.
Attend skate lessons
We offer group skate lessons for every level, from beginner to advanced (level 1 – 3). To complete this Flex, register and attend at least one skate lesson session offered during the fall semester. Visit our skate lessons page for more information.
Attend 5 group fitness classes
Group fitness has a class for everybody! Classes are offered throughout the day at the Nick and at Bakke. To complete this Flex, you must attend 5 group fitness classes offered during the fall semester. Make sure you tap your Wiscard or Rec Well membership card before class starts!
A group fitness pass is not required to complete this Flex. Classes attended during free group fitness weeks (first week and last week of the semester) will be honored as a part of this program. Intro to Group Fitness classes will also be honored as a part of this program. Check out our class schedule and get your move on!
Attend personal/small group training
Personal training and small group training are designed to take a more individualized and guided approach to health and fitness improvements.
To complete this Flex with personal training and partner training, you must:
- Register and attend an intro-pack session (first-time clients only)
- Purchase and attend any number of the session packs (returning clients only)
To complete this Flex with small group training, you must:
- Register for a small group training session offered during the fall semester
Visit our personal and small group training page for more information.
Attend a fitness specialty class
Looking to try something new or dial in your strength training with the guidance of our personal trainers? Try one of our specialty classes! To complete this Flex, pick at least one of the following:
- Register for and attend Introduction to Resistance Training
- Mondays and Wednesdays, September 30 – November 20
- Register for and attend Introduction to Olympic Weightlifting
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 1 – November 21
Check out the class pages for more information!
Skate during open rec 3 times
Blow off some steam and hit the ice! To complete this Flex, go to the Sub-Zero Ice Center and skate 3 times*. Open rec skate opportunities include:
- Public Skate
- 18 & older Stick & Puck
- 18 & older Open Hockey
- Freestyle Figure Skating
Make sure you swipe in at the Ice Services Desk and submit when you skated through our form (a QR code will be available after you skate!). Check our rink schedule for all ice times.
*One skate/swipe counted per day.
Attend a theme skate night
Rumor has it our ice rink has the best playlists… find out for yourself at one of our theme skate nights! Join us every Saturday from 7:30 – 9pm at the Sub-Zero Ice Center for some sweet tunes and great skating. Here are some upcoming themes:
- Summer of Love Songs (September 7)
- Classical Pop (September 14)
- Musicals (September 21)
To complete this Flex, attend at least one theme skate night of your choosing. Make sure you swipe in at the ice services desk and submit when you skated through our form (a QR code will be available after you skate!).
Participate in 5 intramural sports games/events*
Get your game on with our Intramural Sports leagues and events. To complete this Flex, check-in as a participant for at least five intramural sports games, Esports matches, or tournament events during the fall semester. Check out our sports offerings and get registered on Fusion Play! An Intramural Sports pass is required to participate.
Attend a cooking class*
Find your inner chef with our nutrition education programming! To complete this Flex, register for and attend at least one of the following offerings:
- Badger Bites (60-minute sessions)
- Meal Master class (90-minute sessions)
- Cooking class (120-minute sessions)
There are a variety of cuisines, techniques, and recipes for you to explore through our classes, check our Nutrition Education class below for upcoming sessions!
Attend tennis lessons/classes
Ready to make some moves on the tennis court? Try our tennis lessons and classes! To complete this Flex, you must register for and attend at least one of the following offerings:
- Level 1 group lessons
- Level 2 group lessons
- Level 3 group lessons
- Level 4 group lessons
- Biomechanics class
- Cardio Tennis class
4-week Sessions for all the above offerings occur throughout the semester. Check out our tennis lessons page for more information.
Attend a tennis clinic
Want some pointers on your serve? A sharper backhand? Or maybe some tips on volley shots? Join us for a tennis clinic! Tennis clinics are designed to help players refine specific tennis skills. To complete this Flex, you must register for and attend at least one tennis clinic during the fall semester.
Tennis clinic offerings are dependent on the availability of our tennis instructors, so keep an eye on our newsletters for when the next one will be happening!
Attend a NTS Student Night*
If you have been looking for your chance to check out Nielsen Tennis Stadium, look no further than our NTS Student Nights! Play as much open rec tennis as you want from 6 – 9pm for just $5 per player. Here are the scheduled dates:
- Friday, September 13
- Friday, October 4
- Friday, November 15
- Friday, December 6
To complete this Flex, attend at least one NTS Student Night and make sure you tap your Wiscard at the member services desk!
Play open rec tennis at Nielsen 5 times
You can play tennis in all kinds of weather at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. To complete this Flex, you must visit and play tennis at Nielsen at least 5 times*. Make sure everyone playing on your court taps their Wiscard or Rec Well membership card before playing!
We recommend you reserve a court prior to arriving at Nielsen! This can be done online using CourtReserve, over the phone, or in-person at the member services desk. Be sure to check the daily schedule and/or Court Reserve for tennis court availability.
FAQs
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When is Around the Rec happening?
Registration opens on Monday, August 26. Flex tracking begins on Sunday, September 1. Flex tracking concludes on Thursday, December 19. All flex self-reporting must be submitted prior to the last day of tracking to be considered. Prize distribution will take place after winter break, in January 2025.
How are Flexes tracked?
We are taking care of tracking on the back end! We recommend you track your own progress with one of our Flex tracking postcards. Your participation will be captured through official program registration through our portal, scanning your Wiscard at respective facilities, and submitting short, activity-specific forms after Flex completion. See the list above for specific information on how to complete/submit each Flex activity.
How will I know if I completed the challenge?
After Around the Rec tracking concludes, we will notify all program participants with respective prize pick-up information! If you believe you qualified for a prize but did not received prior communication from Rec Well, please email us at marketing@recwell.wisc.edu.
Can I participate if I am a Fall 2024 graduate?
Yes! If you are graduating in December 2024 and will no longer be a student in spring 2025, email marketing@recwell.wisc.edu to notify us. We will do our best to coordinate an earlier prize pick-up opportunity. In order for us to schedule a prize pick-up, you will need to complete the required amount of Flexes for the respective prize.
Who can participate in Around the Rec?
Any active Rec Well member can register for and participate in Around the Rec. This includes UW-Madison students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Who should you contact with questions?
Email hello@recwell.wisc.edu.