CampusSport launched – 5 gyms, 100 weekly classes

CampusSport, the joint sports services of the higher education institutions in Turku, got a jump start last week. Eight rectors and directors from Turku University of Applied Sciences, the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University and Yrkeshögskolan Novia participated in an indoor cycling class. Representatives from the higher education institutions’ student associations also took part.

“With the cooperation, the sports offering of the Turku-based higher education institutions will increase. The service users will have access to five gyms, open ball sports shifts and a swimming pool. The number of instructed classes per week will increase up to a hundred”, says Coordinator Joonas Niemi.

You can now check the CampusSport website and sports offering at http://www.campussport.fi/en/frontpage/. The activities will properly start on Monday 29 August.

CampusSport offers extensive sports services for over 40 000 students and staff members of the higher education institutions. Using the services costs EUR 60 per academic year or EUR 40 per semester. Single sports courses cost EUR 20–50. For the first two weeks, you can get to know the sports offering free of charge.

Popular and peculiar sports

In future, the people studying and working at the higher education institutions will have the opportunity to participate in water sports, as access to the swimming pool and sauna in Ruiskatu will be expanded also for others than members of the TUAS community. The sports facilities of the University of Turku at Educarium and Iskeri will be at everyone’s disposal, as will the gyms of Åbo Akademi University and Novia.

“Indoor cycling will probably be among the most popular sports, because it suits everyone, as we saw at the launch. In addition, the familiar instructed classes such as Pump and Abs, Butt and Thighs will most likely attract a crowd. If some classes are constantly fully booked, we can increase the supply”, Joonas Niemi plans.

In addition to familiar sports, CampusSport also offers more exceptional alternatives.

“The most unusual options are probably show burlesque, modern dance and sauna yoga. I’m hoping that the outdoor sports such as running also attract participants”, says Joonas Niemi.

A year ago, the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Yrkeshögskolan Novia, HUMAK University of Applied Sciences and Diaconia University of Applied Sciences decided to join forces in terms of sports services. In terms of the cooperation, students from different higher education institutions can now exercise together.

A sweaty first touch with indoor cycling

How was the indoor cycling, Rector and President Vesa Taatila and Director of Services Sami Savolainen?

“Very nice", assured both, sweaty after the class – and promised to come and cycle anew. Sport Sirkka is conveniently located along the way to work, and there are morning classes four times a week.

The participants in the indoor cycling class at Sport Sirkka, instructed by Coordinator Joonas Niemi, were:  

• Rector Kalervo Väänänen, the University of Turku
• Chief Operating Officer Päivi Mikkola, the University of Turku
• Rector Mikko Hupa, Åbo Akademi University
• Head of Human Resources Mika Wulff, Åbo Akademi University
• Rector Vesa Taatila, Turku University of Applied Sciences
• Director of Services Sami Savolainen, Turku University of Applied Sciences
• Rector Örjan Andersson, Yrkeshögskolan Novia
• Dean of the Turku Campus Thomas Böckelman, Yrkeshögskolan Novia

and representatives from the student associations of the higher education institutions.