In April 2010, the University of Surrey graced the UK with a new world-class sports facility. Surrey Sports Park is the University of Surrey’s sports and training centre, with a wide range of facilities to cater to people of all fitness levels. The facility has football and rugby fields, an indoor multipurpose hall, a 50 metre swimming pool, a rock climbing wall, squash and tennis courts, hockey pitches and many other amenities and services. Among students, the sports park is sometimes referred to as SSP. 

My favourite part of the SSP is the gym, which I frequent about 5 times a week. As an active person, finding a good gym to train at was a priority when coming to university, I was fortunate to not have to look far as SSP’s gym has everything. With over 6 olympic lifting stations, free weight,  lifting and cardio equipment, there is something for everyone at SSP. 

Another great feature of SSP is it’s members, not only does it cater to Surrey students but professional sports teams as well. The facility is currently home to the Harlequin’s rugby team, which competes in the top division of English rugby. SSP has also been home to a number of international rugby teams as well, including 4 time Rugby World Cup champions, South Africa. A picture of South African legend Bryan Habana can still be seen on the walls of the facility. Wednesday afternoons are a great time as SSP as many of Surrey’s sports team play against other university teams in their respective sports. Team Surrey is part of the British Universities and College Sport

( BUCS ) organisation, which oversees  fixtures as well as rankings, and tournaments. Some of the popular sports at Surrey include Hockey, football and rugby. If you are a bit more unconventional like myself, there are a wide range of clubs, including my favourite, the Powerlifting and Weightlifting club. Although I am yet to join the club, I have competed in a powerlifting competition and it was definitely a great experience! Finding time to stay fit and healthy can be difficult during your studies but Surrey provides a wide range of options to choose from.

After a grueling workout, Pitchside Coffee shop is the perfect place to grab a healthy recovery meal and of course… coffee! Their menu includes a range of healthy options, ranging from wraps and salads to fruit and yoghurt pots. Pitchside also doubles up as a casual study spot for students on the Manor Park campus. The views of the fields and the smell of fresh coffee provide a refreshing alternative to the library. 

In the short time I have been at Surrey, SSP has already become a home for me. Considering that training in the gym has been a part of my life for years now, it was refreshing to find such a well-equipped facility within reach here at Surrey. I have not only made gains in the gym, but I have gained friendships, and unforgettable experiences at SSP. I would strongly encourage all students to make use of the facilities!

To conclude, I thought it would be useful to provide some advice from my first-hand experience about in the gym in general, but specifically at SSP: 

•  Make sure you eat enough and keep your diet healthy and balanced. Remember to drink water throughout the day!

• Avoid training in large groups during peak hours: peak hours often get busy, if you plan on going to the gym with friends, aim for a quieter time to have an enjoyable gym session. The gym is relatively quiet from 6AM to 12PM on most days. 

• SLEEP! The key to achieving results in your fitness journey lies in your diet and recovery, ensure that you get enough sleep for your overall health.