Syracuse University is the sixth-fittest college in the nation, according to Men’s Journal, due to several recreation facilities and popular niche activities such as judo, ice skating, aikido and cricket.

SU has 11 recreation facilities and offers programs including aquatics, intramurals, fitness classes, personal training, outdoor education and sport clubs.

Archbold Gymnasium, though, won’t open until fall of 2019 because of a major, ongoing construction project. Here’s where you can go now that Archbold is closed.

Main Campus

Brockway Fitness Center, Graham Fitness Center, Marion Fitness Center

These three workout rooms are conveniently placed in dorms on Main Campus. They all have similar features, including weight machines, treadmills, ellipticals, climbers, bikes and rowers. Brewster/Boland/Brockway Complex residents have easy access to the Brockway Fitness Center, which is in the basement of the halls. The Graham Fitness Center, which was built in spring 2018, is found below Graham Dining Hall, between Day Hall and Flint Hall. Marion Fitness Center is convenient for students living in Marion Hall.

Ernie Davis Fitness Center

Built in 2009, Ernie Davis Hall is the most state-of-the-art dorm on campus. Likewise, its gym, open not just to Ernie Davis residents, may give students the best workout experience. The fitness center includes free weights, weight machines, treadmills, ellipticals, steppers, bicycle machines and rowing machines along with a 2,500 square-foot exercise room/dance studio. Ernie Davis does not have squat racks but does offer the campus’ lone Olympic lifting platform.

Women’s Building

At the bottom of Mount Olympus, off Comstock Avenue, the Women’s Building is now the preeminent place to shoot hoops on Main Campus. The multi-purpose facility features basketball/volleyball courts, a swimming pool, a dance studio and a fitness center. Inside the building are the lone two squat racks on campus. Outside the Women’s Building are outdoor basketball and tennis courts.

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South Campus

Goldstein Fitness Center

Inside the South Campus student center, the Goldstein gym offers free weights, weight machines and a variety of cardio equipment.

Melo Center

The Melo Center was built when SU alum Carmelo Anthony contributed $3 million to the gym project. It attracts basketball recruits and both the women’s and men’s basketball teams to regularly practice there. Last year, the Melo Center was open for the general student body on Tuesday and Thursday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Outdoor Education Center and Challenge Course

SU’s Outdoor Education Center and Challenge Course offers opportunities for team-building and group activities. With indoor and outdoor challenge courses, groups can reserve time to climb through low and high obstacle courses at any point in the year for at least $15, with an SUID.

Skytop Recreation Area

In the Skytop Recreation Area on South Campus, there are 20 tennis courts, two basketball courts, one multi-purpose field and two volleyball courts. The outdoor area is behind the Goldstein Student Center.

Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion

SU and SUNY-ESF students can rent skates and glide on the ice at no charge. The Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion is used by the Division I women’s hockey team as well as the figure skating and hockey clubs. During the school year, the rink is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

Published on August 24, 2018 at 12:29 pm

Contact Danny: dremerma@syr.edu | @DannyEmerman