North Recreation Center

I have recently been coming to the North Recreation Center and love all that it has to offer. Looking at it in terms of accessibility, the gym had pretty decent accessibility due to being a newer building. Upon entry of the building, there is two doorways, book with accessible entry. There is lots of space for moving around and the machines are well spaced out. In addition, the sensory aspects of the North Rec Center was not the best. I know that it is a gym, but there is loud noises of weights and music that could be overstimulating or difficult for a person with a hearing disability. Besides that, the lighting in the gym is accessible in terms of lighting. It is well lit up, but there is also curtains that can be closed and separate rooms that can be used. One of the biggest issues that I encountered that would be a barrier for a person with a physical disability would be the large staircase that goes all the way from the first to the third floor. Although there is an elevator, it was difficult to find and I wasn’t sure If there was one until I searched for it. In regards to the elevator and the different rooms and floors, there is brail on the elevator and the signs. Overall, the North Recreation Center is an accessible gym with many different options for working out or taking classes!

a year ago

I often visit the OSU North Rec Gym and found that it offers strong accessibility features, in line with ADA requirements. From the moment you walk in, the automatic doors make the entrance easily accessible for individuals with mobility challenges. The front desk, while initially high, has a lower table adjacent to it, ensuring that everyone can check in without difficulty. Throughout the facility, the signage is clear and helpful, especially for those navigating accessible routes. The gym is equipped with elevators that provide access to every floor, and in my experience, they have always been in working order. The elevators themselves are spacious, providing plenty of room for wheelchair users or anyone needing extra space. Additionally, emergency exits are clearly marked with visible signage, which is reassuring in case of an emergency. When it comes to the gym’s interior, I was pleased to see that the layout allows for easy movement, with wide spaces between equipment for wheelchair access. The accessible lockers are well-marked and positioned for ease of use. Restrooms on every floor are spacious and labeled with accessibility signs, and they include accessible showers, offering a convenient option for those who need them. One area that could be improved is the equipment itself. While much of it is accessible for users with different needs, there is a lack of Braille or tactile labels on weights and machines, which could pose a challenge for visually impaired individuals. Adding Braille labels or audio assistance could make the gym more inclusive for all users. Overall, the OSU North Rec Gym does a commendable job of ensuring accessibility for most people, with features like automatic doors, spacious elevators, and accessible restrooms and lockers. There is room for small improvements, such as adding Braille to the equipment, but as it stands, it’s a very accessible and welcoming facility.

a year ago

Very clean facility but missing a few things like assisted pullup/tricep dip machines and some free weights. They have also have water and protein shakes which is nice.

a year ago

Very poor use of space. The stairs are wide enough for 8 people across, the bathrooms in the center of the building on each floor take up a ton of real estate, and the large side rooms don't seem to get much use. Great location and good if you go at unusual hours to get away from the crowd. Super crowded any normal hour of the day.

4 years ago

This gym has so much potential, but wastes too much space. The rooms on the right of every floor dont seem to get used for much, the giant stairs are twice as wide as they need to be, and the bathrooms in the center are too large for this small of a space. Combine this with equipment that is frequently left broken for weeks, and this gym is always too full. The only redeeming qualities are the location and if you do show up when it's not busy there is plenty of equipment.

7 years ago