At the University of Glasgow, we are lucky to have high-quality sports facilities and a varied, diverse selection of team and individual sports for you to pick from. Given the abundant benefits of exercise, for both your physical well-being, and also your mental health, getting active and embracing a fitness routine can really benefit your lifestyle, and perhaps even boost your productivity. The range of gym workouts, classes and sports clubs (through Glasgow University Sports Association) ensures there is something for everyone, to suit all preferences and schedules, and can expand your social circle through team sports, or promote mindfulness in peaceful yoga classes.

The Stevenson Building Gym

The Stevenson Building is located in the heart of UofG's campus: across the road from the University's main building on University Avenue, or beside the Rankine Building (James Watt School of Engineering). This building is home to a state-of-the-art university gym that encompasses all types of physical activity that you might want to try - a varied and large cardio area for keeping your fitness levels high, a resistance machine area, along with a functional fitness floor providing access to free weights, stretching areas and squat racks, along with a pool and sauna set-up. 

The gym is open long-hours (6:30am to 10:15pm on weekdays) ensuring you can attend before or after classes to suit your schedule, and its membership prices ensure reasonable and accessible access to a varied and supportive fitness environment. You can choose from peak or off-peak, and can decide if you want sports club access factored into your membership. 

The building is easy to access and navigate, and is operated by knowledgeable and helpful staff who are happy to advise, offer tours, induction or any other kinds of assistance required. The gym is a welcoming and supportive environment full of students and staff alike bettering themselves and their exercise habits!

Group classes UofG Gym

You can almost guarantee if there is a class you're interested in trying for the first time, rekindling your passion for or encouraging your friends to join you, the Stevenson Building likely offers it. Classes are such a fun and worthwhile addition to your daily or weekly routine - allowing you to try out new class experiences or to hone your skills in a structured, motivating and safe setting. These classes can also be selected to reflect your fitness levels: to help with recovery or to push yourself to reach new levels. 

Some of the classes on offer include:

  • Cycling 
  • Core conditioning
  • Pilates
  • Yoga
  • Box fitness
  • Dance fitness
  • Total body workout

... along with many others!

In addition, UofG understands the value of women-only gym experiences for those who are more comfortable in a single-genered workout environment: GUSA offers female-only gym sessions, guided by a personal trainer, to boost your confidence and comfort. It's good to keep in mind that the gym staff are there for your comfort as well - if you spot something that doesn't seem right, or that you might need assistance with, they are happy to help you in any way possible. 

Sports clubs at UofG

While fitness classes can be a great way to expand your social circle and to meet like-minded people, the University's many sports clubs are also highly valuable for this purpose - to help connect with new people sharing an interest in your sport or hobby. GUSA offers more than 50 clubs across a wide and varied range to accommodate as many sports and passions as possible - ensuring everyone has something they might enjoy trying out as a beginner or furthering their experience as intermediates. 

Some of their most popular clubs include team sports such as rugby, football, netball and basketball - promoting healthy competition, sportsmanship and an appreciation for camaraderie. The university offers a range of martial arts type, along with slightly more obscure clubs such as sky-diving, fencing, trampolining or wakeboarding for those wanting to branch out. 

Outside of UofG

While the university facilities are top-tier and offer the capacity to try such a variety of exercises under the one roof, along with watersports in the large pool downstairs, you might prefer getting out in the open to train. The UofG campus in the West End, and its proxomity to several gorgeous local parks provides great running, walking or cycling trails to take in Glasgow's scenery and surroundings.

Alternatively, fitness apps like ClassPass regularly offer free trials allowing you to trial external gyms and classes for a month without fees - promoting new and varied fitness experiences without paying the consdierable price tag that is usually associated to private studios and gyms.

In sum

UofG offers a wide and varied opportunity to try new individual or team-based exercise / sports, along with providing a centrally-located accessible campus in West End perfect for outdoor exercise, and warming up with a campus coffee or hot chocolate afterwards. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone with fitness can be so beneficial with finding new hobbies and passions, meeting new people and gaining new skills and strengths you never thought you would have!

These sports clubs are invaluable to furthering your experiences and passions while at UofG - giving great opportunities to meet people motivated by the same goals or aspiring towards new challenges, to develop lasting friendships and to foster a strong sense of community spirit with your team members through both the sports themselves and within external social events to bond your team ties.

 

First published: 21 January 2025

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