Your Complete Student Guide to Getting active at the SportsPark

Harnessing a university gym or sports facility is one of the most effective strategies for students to enhance their overall well-being and academic success. Engaging in regular physical activity provides a powerful counterbalance to the pressures of student life, offering a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond physical fitness.

University life can be a period of significant stress, with academic deadlines, exams, and social pressures. Sports facilities offer a crucial outlet for managing mental health.

Better Sleep Quality: Regular physical exertion helps to regulate sleep patterns. A good night’s sleep is fundamental for cognitive function, mood regulation, and overall health, helping students feel more energised and focused in their studies.

Stress Reduction: Exercise is a scientifically proven stress reliever. Physical activity helps to lower the body’s stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, while stimulating the production of endorphins—the body’s natural mood elevators and painkillers.

Improved Mood and Reduced Anxiety: The release of endorphins during exercise leads to a more positive outlook and can significantly alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are prevalent among students.

The connection between a healthy body and a sharp mind is well-documented. Using a gym or sports facility can directly contribute to academic achievement.

Effective Time Management and Discipline: Incorporating a regular workout schedule forces students to manage their time effectively, balancing their academic responsibilities with their personal health goals. This discipline often translates into other areas of their student life, reducing procrastination and improving productivity.

Enhanced Concentration and Focus: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which fires up neurons and promotes the growth of new brain cells. This leads to improved concentration in lectures, better focus during study sessions, and an enhanced ability to retain information.

Improved Memory: Physical activity has been shown to boost the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the function, growth, and survival of brain cells, thereby aiding memory and learning.

In an increasingly digital world, sports facilities provide a vital physical space for interaction and community building.

Building a Supportive Network: By joining a sports team or a fitness group, students become part of a community with a shared identity and goals. This peer support network can be invaluable for navigating the challenges of university life.

Expanding Social Circles: University gyms, group exercise classes, and sports clubs are natural hubs for meeting like-minded people outside of the lecture hall. These interactions can lead to lasting friendships and a stronger sense of belonging.

Developing Teamwork and Leadership Skills: Participating in team sports or group fitness challenges helps students develop essential life skills such as collaboration, communication, and leadership, which are highly valued by future employers.

What do we offer at the SportsPark

Memberships

Below are the memberships available to current students of the University of Reading on production of a valid University of Reading campus card on your first visit.
SportsPark Fitness and SportsPark Fitness & Rackets memberships also gives you access to the BUCS Universal Gyms

Don’t want to commit to a membership?

We have non member rates for court hire and classes. Bear in mind booking as a non member will only allow you to book 3 days in advance as apposed to the 7 days a member would get.

Gym only 1 Day Pass – £10.50

Gym only 7 Day Pass – £18

Activities

Gym

Our Gym aims to create a fantastic workout experience using high spec fitness equipment, modern interior design, LED lighting and high-quality fitness flooring.

State of the art Gym equipment
Cardio equipment with top of the range consoles
Large Functional area with agility track, kettlebells, plyo boxes and much more
4 Watt Bikes Pro’s
Dumbbells ranging from 2 to 55kg
4 high performance half racks with flush integrated lifting platforms

Group Exercise Classes

We offer over 80 classes during term time which are great for meeting new people or if you just need that little extra push. Classes range from Yoga, Pilates, Spin, Body conditioning, Sweat It, Stretch and many more, we’re sure you’ll find something that meets your needs.

Knights Active

Knights Active provides Reading students and staff with the opportunity to engage in recreational and intramural sport regardless of ability or experience whilst reducing the barriers to participation.

Participants have options to Pay to Play, compete in friendly Campus Sport Leagues and tournaments against their fellow UoR students and staff or learn a new skill in our brand new ‘Learn To’ programme.

SportsPark App

We have a great SportsPark app that allows you keep track of all your bookings, see what’s on and keep up to date with everything coming up at the SportsPark

view of gym equipment available at the SportsPark

Sports CLubs – RSU

SportsPark work in collaboration with Reading Students’ Union to be able to support the growth and enjoyment of student-led sports and dance clubs. Some of the clubs will access the SportsPark facilities, and others will use facilities located in venues across Reading and wider afield depending on the sport.

There are over 50 different sports clubs that you can be part of. Please note that where clubs access SportsPark facilities for training and competitions/fixtures, a £30 SportsPark membership will be required in addition to the club joining fee itself.