“Don’t be Afraid to Give it a Try!” UH Librarians Discuss the Campus Recreation Center

DSA News
March 11, 2025

 Interim Head of Teaching and Learning, Mea Warren, and Student Success Librarian, Imani Spence, both faculty at the UH libraries, talk about why they enjoy spending time at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. Warren, who has been employed at the University of Houston for over ten years, has always enjoyed working out at the CRWC but frequently struggled with finding the time and motivation to stay consistent in her efforts. When coworker, Spence, began working at the UH libraries and mentioned attending group fitness classes at the CRWC, Warren found herself inspired to join.

“It’s always more fun to go to the gym if you have a buddy,” Mea Warren said in an interview when asked about her newfound motivation. “Occasionally, I will be like, ‘Oh, I’m going to this [class],’ and [Spence] will be like, ‘Oh, I’ll come with!’” Some of the many group fitness classes the two have attended at the CRWC so far include kettlebell circuits, interval training, total body training, and mat pilates.

One of Warren’s favorite parts about the group fitness classes—which are free to UH students and included in membership costs—is the personalization of classes over time. “It’s been really cool to interact with all the trainers,” she says. “They are all super helpful. If you get a smaller class, you really get to know your trainer.”

One tip Spence has for people who are new to the workout scene and unsure of where to start is to try attending classes and learning to use equipment over class breaks, when the gym is less populated. “It feels really intimidating in any gym environment, but mostly people are focused on their own exercises...so they do not feel nervous about being seen or perceived in a certain way. We are all trying our best to get our movement up.”

“I’ve always felt welcome,” Warren agrees. Furthermore, after undergoing several years of renovations, the CRWC is better equipped than ever to support a variety of fitness needs. “I like the new Red Fitness Zone a lot, because I have options of different types of workouts I want to do,” Spence says. “Seeing all the renovations that have been done...it’s a nice gym, especially for the amount that we have to pay as faculty and staff.”

Warren also enjoys the convenience of being able to fit workouts into the beginning or end of her workday before heading home. “I’m already here going about my day, and I can immediately go to the gym, get dressed, go to a [group fitness] class, and then go home and be ready to actually unwind,” she explains.

“Don’t be afraid to give it a try!” Spence says in closing. “There’s something for everybody, and I think that’s important to remember.”

Written by Sarah Lundberg – Student Worker – Campus Recreation – Student Affairs