From early morning jogging routines to late night tennis practice, the Mills’ campus is buzzing with students finding ways to get out and exercise.
Workout opportunities on campus are not limited to physical education classes. In fact, students have quite a few facilities available to them: indoor facilities include the Fitness Center and Haas Gymnasium, while outdoor facilities are the Trefethen Aquatic Center, Meyer Tennis Center, Hellman Soccer Field and Track, and the Pine Top Fitness Trail.
The Fitness Center is located within Haas Pavilion and has cardiovascular and strength training machines, along with a stretching and free weights area. Also found in Haas Pavilion is the Gymnasium, a large court with basketball hoops. The Trefethen Aquatic Center is an outdoor swimming center completed in 1998 that includes 10 competitive lanes, a shallow area, and a therapy spa.
Neil Virtue, the head coach for the swim team, thinks that the Aquatic Center is one of the best swimming facilities in the area with unparalleled lane space and is the “best classroom on campus” for both students and the larger community that swims at Mills.
The Meyer Tennis Center consists of six tennis courts and lights to play in the dark. Junior Danielle DeGuzman Armstead enjoys using the tennis courts in her free time.
“I, unfortunately, was not able to play on the Mills team this semester, but I’ve had such a wonderful experience so far,” DeGuzman Armstead said. ” The tennis courts are easily my favorite place to unwind and to feel a sense of belonging and community.”
The Hellman Soccer field is located near the Aquatic Center and is surrounded by a jogging track.
Junior Mia Moore-Arauz uses the jogging track in her workouts with the cross-country team, and it helps Arauz relieve some stress.
“For me, the track is a place to meditate; I just let go of everything when I start running,” Moore-Arauz said.
The Pine Top Fitness Trail is an approximately two-mile trail that surrounds Mills’ campus. This trail winds not only by some of the College’s buildings but also contains stretches of redwood groves and meadows.
Post-baccalaureate, Clare Randt, was living off-campus for the first half of this semester. Once she moved on to campus she began using the trail to take her dog for walks.
“I think the trail has definitely made living on campus more worthwhile,” Randt said. “My dog is my baby, and when he’s happy, I’m happy. Having the trail right outside my door is super convenient because it means whenever he has too much energy, I can take him out for a short run.”
Fitness Center
– Open 12 p.m.-9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; 6:30 a.m.-8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 12 p.m.-7 p.m. on Fridays; 12 p.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays
– Available to Mills students, faculty, staff, alumni and Julia Morgan School for Girls staff. Must show Mills ID.
Gym:
– Open to Mills students, facility, staff and alumni. One accompanied guest is allowed.
– Recreation usually reflect the Fitness Center hours, but may be subject to change to accommodate intercollegiate athletics, rentals or special events. To know exact times the Gymnasium is open for each day, be sure to check the calendar posted on the gymnasium door or available on the Mills Athletics and Recreation webpage.
Aquatic Center:
– Lap swim is open 6:30-9:30 a.m. and 12-2 p.m. from Monday through Friday; 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on Saturday; and 12:00 p.m.-4:45 p.m. on Sunday.
– Recreational swim is open from 4:30-6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m.-4:45 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
-Water walking is open from 8:30-9:15 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
-Free for current Mills students, faculty and staff and may bring one guest. Mills alumae and Friends of the College (FOTC) are subject to fees.
Tennis courts:
– Hours for recreational use for the tennis courts for Fall semester are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
– Keys are required to access the tennis courts and can be acquired from APER.
Soccer field:
-Open for general use and has no specific hours and has no charge.
Trail:
-Open for general use and no charge.
-Maps of the trail are available online on Mills’ Athletics and Recreation website or outside of Haas Pavilion room 103.
