The ARC & Pavilion

The gym is way too small for the university population. It has only one weight room which is regularly packed. Lines for machines are common.
Often, I leave without a complete workout because I’ve spent far too long waiting for machines to open up.
I’ve been to plenty of university gyms (many at other UC’s) and those are much more accommodating.

One of the better UC gyms that recently got newer machines but also offers Zumba and other classes, yoga, a suspended running track, and rock climbing! There’s treadmills and ellipticals aplenty throughout, and the machinery and equipment is all pretty nice and they have mats and foam rollers too.
I like how there is enough space, even at the entrance where students can study or meet up before working out. They also provide towel and lock rentals for an ID. However the locker room and bathroom isn’t that nice, it would be nicer if more bathrooms were spread throughout. But otherwise the ARC has everything you need to get in shape (minus the attached Starbucks).

Seriously love coming here to either study or workout. The gym is always really clean and they’re constantly walking around to make sure everything’s in the right spot.
The gym itself had a track, lots of cardio equipment, a rock climbing wall, racquet ball courts, classes, and a weight room. All you could ever ask for! The classrooms are bright and spacious. The weight room is amazing too! It can get pretty crowded in there, but I always manage to find a spot.
There’s a ton of bike parking too. You won’t ever not find parking!
To study it’s nice because there’s a lot of seating, just don’t expect to find an outlet easily though!

I will dedicate my 100^th review for one of my favorite places in the world. Okay, a bit exaggeration, but that would be the ARC. No lie, this place was my second home at UC Davis.
The ARC’s got everything, man. Especially after they got renovated, the place is the bomb.
The weight room: more squat racks, and all the cool upgrades. Obviously, avoid the weight room during rush hour, especially right after new years. You will cry after graduation that you won’t have this much organized weights and racks anymore.
Cardio: plenty of cardio equipments, basically located everywhere.
Rock Climbing and Indoor Tracks: make sure to take advantage of them, while you are still in school!
Studios: dance studio, martial arts studio. I love love using the martial arts studio for my insanity and stretching sessions with its gentle floorings. the sweat, not so much.
Classes: Variety of classes are offered here, I think they are just aight, especially the dancing ones. Make sure to sign up for Andrea Khoo’s PE classes though. She will make the 8am classes worth it.
PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THE IM SPORTS AND COMPETITIONS: they are so much fun and worth staying up all night without any sleep or food. IM Dodgeball is a favorite for sure! So gather up some friends and have fun! :)

I seriously contemplated giving them fewer than 5 stars when they charged me a $ 25 fee for my passport application (on top of the $ 110 renewal fee), but then I looked it up:
«An execution fee of $ 25 is mandatory when submitting Form DS-​11. This is paid to the agent that adjudicates the application. » (
)
This means that on top of being a fairly well stocked gymnasium, one can take care of any number of tasks… like applying for a passport.
I’d say a good 99.999% of the patrons here do not come for services like that. Instead, it is a relatively new gymnasium with plenty of study space. (study at the gym??? I ask the same thing each time.) There is a full-​on Starbucks at this gym. Not a joke.
Oh, and the workout facilities are nice also. They can get crowded. Try coming at an off hour– you’ll be surprised how empty it actually does get.

Damn, I hella miss this place. Nothing compares cause this gym raised my standards wayy too high. As pathetic as it sounds, it was practically my second home throughout my 4 years at UC Davis. I was always here for workouts, study/​cramming sessions, and hangouts.
Overall, people are respectful here. Staff is awesome. Spaces kept very tidy and clean.
The only downside is the wait for machines during rush hours. The crowd dies down when midterms start rolling in though.
Pricing is listed on their site. Membership was included in my student fees, but I paid in the summer (~$ 45/​session) when I wasn’t enrolled in classes. There are different rates for community members and UCD affiliates.
*If you are a parent of UCD student, you can get a free 7 day Parent Pass.
FACILTIES INCLUDED:
— weightroom (10! squat racks/​power cages, benches, jungle gyms, free weights, olympic weights, machines, treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, mats, yoga balls, etc etc)
— studios upstairs (cycling, dance, martial arts — free to use if not occupied by classes)
— more cardio machines upstairs (stairmaster for that booooty ;)
— basketball and volleyball courts (usually pick up games in the evening)
— rock climbing wall (classes available)
— indoor track upstairs (kinda small, I prefer running in Pavillon)
— racquetball/​squash courts upstairs (try it! — it’s harder than you think)
— badminton, ping pong tables, open space for practices in Pavillon
— locker rooms w/​showers (I used my own combination lock)
— IM Sports, Hickey/​Rec pool use included
— A LOT of classes like Zumba, dancing, martial arts, etc (but have to pay more $$)
— study lounges, reservable conference rooms, ProShop, Starbucks in front (opens late)
TIPS:
*Try Before You Buy for free group classes during the first week of every quarter
*Borrow equipment at service desk for free (locks, weightbelts, towels, balls, rackets, rock climbing stuff)
*Careful for limited hours during finals and summer break
*Free parking after 10pm but gets packed
TL;DR:
Dope clean place. Chill people. Lots of equip. Gets packed.
Have great workout! :)

Great facility. Love going here for a nice work out. The gym can be crowded at times. It would be awesome to see the weights section expanded so that the lines would not be so long for the most commonly used equipment which is the bench press and the squat racks.

If I wasn’t broke and already paying for the ARC as a part of my tuition, I would definitely find another gym.
I’m really only gonna talk about the weight room…
This year they upgraded all the equipment which is nice. But, it’s always hella crowded. They decreased the amount of barbell benches from 6 to 3, which is a disaster cause everybody wants pecks for sex (especially on Mondays). They got some olympic weights and did increase the number of squat racks/​power cages from 3 to 8, which would in theory decrease wait time… but everybody’s been tryna hit that 500 pound quarter squat lately. I find the average wait time for both benching and squatting/​DLing is 20 mins. But, it can range anywhere between 15 mins to 35 mins.
What really gets me though is their shoe policy. Shoes on at all times. The policy is ridiculous. Many people prefer pulling without shoes for better stability but are not allowed for safety reasons. I think it makes sense to have shoes on anywhere else in the weight room, but when you’re deadlifting? Come on. Unless you’re pulling with an extremely wide stance with feet an inch away from the plates, there’s virtually zero chance that the weights are gonna fall on your feet. And even if it does fall on your feet, are shoes really gonna stop the weights from crushing your feet like a pancake? Some staff are understanding, but lately, they’ve been getting pretty anal and will watch you like a hawk. It’s really overbearing.

Aside from the constantly crowded weight room, everything else is great. After they added the 10 Olympic racks, and removed the benches, there is always a line at the weight room. Considering the size of the room, I doubt they will put the benches back. Expect at least 10 mins wait if you’re squaring, deadlifting, or bench pressing.

I always feel intimidated coming here as a girl for some reason, especially when I go to the weight room just to run. I always glance over at the benches and the squat racks and even though they’ve upgraded and remodeled it, adding more squat racks, there’s always a line. You just gotta know when to go and when to avoid it.
Peak hours are usually in the evening and when you go then its near impossible to find a treadmill. New weights and lots of new equipment so make sure to explore a little before starting your workout!
The track upstairs is also a good alternative and the direction (clockwise counterclockwise) changes by day. The badmitton courts are always fun and I’ve always wanted to try the rock climbing wall! One day!

Seriously. The ARC has everything. Minus an indoor swimming pool. ANDDD they recently remodeled so a lot of the equipment are NEW. Are you into lifting and squats? Want to work on that booty of yours? THERE ARE MORE RACKS NOW! (You’d still have to come early though ’cause people be waiting loooong hours for it) I’d say even if you’re not a student, getting a membership is well worth it.
The ARC also provides FREE classes during the first week or so, but after the trial period, you’ll have to pay if you’re interested in continuing. I’ve never tried one of these but they seem very popular amongst many!
Another (non-​relating) benefit is the ARC hires many students to work there throughout the year maintaining the gym, some even get promoted to student supervisor positions! What’s better than supplying hardworking college students with jobs and a friendly environment to work at?!
I’m going to miss the ARC dearly *sadface*.

The ARC at UC Davis is a great place to work out. I’ve never had a gym membership, and was not a big fan of going to the gym, but the ARC left a very good impression on me!
The fitness center is a room with a lot of weight machines, and it gets really crowded in there during busy hours. But they have some space in the corner for people to use yoga mats for free weight exercises.
There’s an indoor track on the second level, and they even have a big timer on the wall so that you can time yourself as you run. Great convenience!
What I really love about this gym is the ample space. I haven’t even explored the entire gym yet! For those shy exercisers (like me!) it’s a great feature to take advantage of.

Best gym ever! Machines rock, huge facility, nice studios for dance and martial arts. I am going to miss this gym sooo much when I graduate from UCD! I am so thankful for this exceptional gym!
Oh, and service is usually excellent, too! :)

Being here for almost 4 years, I haven’t been to a gym as good as this one. Not only does it have an indoor running track, it also has a climbing wall and table tennis tables in the Pavilion. The tables may not be in the best of qualities but they are still Butterfly, Killerspin and such; they’re very sturdy and good for normal uses (not for tournaments though). It does suck when you hit too high and lose a ball down in the lower pavilion but oh well, just don’t use 3 star balls, each loss will be $ 1.
I really like the dance studio; very well lite and fans on the ceiling, perfect when you’re working up a sweat. There are pretty much all kinds of exercise equipment that you can think of there to use. On top of all the exercise equipment, you can always check out items like a basketball to use in the indoor court. Despite this place being a gym, it’s also a really good study space with comfy chairs and a Starbucks attached to it :] I’m sure getting a drink after workout will defeat the purpose of trying to lose a few calories but c’est la vie

Best indoor basketball courts in the area.
I only come here to play basketball so my review for this place is mainly based off of that. I’ve been here probably around 10 times over the last couple years. The place is nice and clean and always pretty busy.
The only negative about this place is how long it takes to get in if your not a member and just want a guest pass. Everytime you come in, even if you’ve been there before, they make you fill out some papers, take a photo of you, and have to enter your name in the computer. So after you don’t come for awhile they must take you out of the system or something. After you do all that you have to pay at a different counter (costs $ 7.50). I usually come with 3 – 4 other people and it takes about 15 minutes to get in if theres no line.
From what I’ve seen walking around, they have a pro shop, a full gym, a track to run around upstairs, a rock climbing wall, locker rooms with showers, a volleyball court (I’ve never seen anyone playing), and the basketball courts of course.
Theres 3 basketball courts and eveytime I’ve come they all have 5 on 5 games going on. The first court you see when you come in is usually the most competitive one. They play to 12 by 1s. Yes all 1s even though they have a 3 point line, stupid lol. If you lose it’s usually atleast a 2 game wait, so I wouldnt come if you don’t have a good amount of time to play. Or just win every game lol.

Definitely prefer working out at the ARC than my apartment complex’s gym. I am more of a cardio person, so I haven’t had a problem with accessing treadmills or ellipticals. There aren’t that many StairMasters (maybe 4 total, if I’m not mistaken), so you might have to wait!
Pretty clean gym with lots of machines and space for everyone! The changing rooms are very spacious, and if you forgot your lock, you can borrow one at the desk!
I have yet to try the rock climbing wall at the ARC, but it is on my to-​do list before I graduate!
Aside from the working out area, there are couches in the ARC lobby to study or hang out with friends on. There’s also a private study area that is generally quiet. Two thumbs up!

Hands down the best gym I’ve ever been to. After graduating from UCD, I have found not ONE gym that even compares to this one. Seriously. As a student, this was my second home. I would come here almost everyday, even if I had an hour or two between classes. This was where I became passionate about fitness.
It’s really spacious and clean. In general, people do clean up after themselves and spray down their machines. The locker rooms are clean and the showers aren’t too bad either – but I’d definitely recommend wearing flip flops. Some of the lady’s showers are missing curtains and only a few of them have benches where you can put your stuff. Sometimes they have maintenance periods where there are no hot water, but they’ll leave a notice sign in advance.
The weight room is big and you can find various machines and weights. Most people rerack their weights so it’s not difficult to find what you’re looking for. They have an indoor track too that I love! They also have racquetball courts, basketball courts, badminton courts, spinning classes, yoga studios, dance studios, etc. They have a «Try before you buy» where you can attend classes for free for the first week. Pretty cool!
It gets crowded during peak periods (weekdays after 3−4pm) AND in the beginning of the quarter («new quarter, new you» goals).
There’s also study lounges in front and outdoors, as well as a Starbucks. The ARC Pro Shop is pretty neat too (albeit pricey) and they have a variety of UCD workout apparel and gym gear. I got a nice running arm band here!
The ARC is what I miss most about Davis. Definitely take advantage of your membership while you’re still a student!

YO!!! Access to the rock climbing wall is only $ 30 for the entire quarter AND that includes equipment rental! That price is a STEAL and great for practicing.
Aside from the typical gym stuff they have here they also offer cool classes like martial arts and dance at affordable rates. I’d like to try out the racquetball courts one of these days. Haven’t seen one of those in a gym ever since I lived in the bay area, where 24 hour had it.
The only thing I’m not crazy about is that there’s a 30 minute limit for the cardio machines… not like I abide by it but I feel like such a jerk going for an hour ;(

How can I give the ARC less than 5 stars? This place has everything!
I’d like to consider myself as a regular since I try to go 5 times a week. I normally go to run and lift, but I also play badminton and basketball from time to time. The weight room here is really big and has weights for everyone. You can be a total noob, or a workout addict and there will always be something for you. I really like how many options there are to work out. There are isolation-​machines, compound machines, free-​weights, and lots more. If you’re looking to run and don’t feel like running on the indoor track, there are treadmills, ellipticals, stair-​climbers, and bikes in just about every corner.
The ARC also offers 3 basketball courts and 1 volley court on a regular day. They alternate days for indoor soccer and badminton in the MAC, which is basically a mini-​gym inside the gym. Upstairs, there are 8 racquetball and squash court along with an indoor track. There’s also a mat room, normally used for martial arts classes, a workout room (they offer classes such as zumba and cross-​fit), and a dance studio (workout classes are also taught here). If all the treadmills and ellipticals were taken up downstairs, there’s a good 15 – 20 upstairs as well. The Pavillion provides stairs and natural track for people to run and train. There are also mirrors on opposite ends where a lot of clubs go to practice dance. Sometimes there are badminton courts set up as well.
If you’re just looking for a workout, you can go at any time of the day, although it tends to get really busy after 5pm when students end classes. If you’re looking to play basketball, you can expect to see 5v5 games going all day from 10am-​close. If you want to shoot around, the best time would have to be before 9:30am.
Overall the ARC is amazing. The staff here are really nice and helpful. The place is very well kept, and all the equipment are all working 99.9% of the time.

Alright, so I have to say that the ARC is basically my second home in Davis. I usually go to the arc about 4 – 5 times a week. The people here are nice and they are pretty chill.
I usually use their weight room, the indoor track, or the pavilion and sometimes the basketball courts. The weight room definitely gets packed at night and it would take a while to get a set of weights if you’re in there during that time. So if you want a good and quick workout I would probably suggest coming in the morning or around 3−4pm (this is during the summer; not sure if it’s the same around the school year). Most of the time I use the pavilion to run laps, run stairs, or to do other random workouts. I enjoy running in the pavilion instead of the indoor track because the times I went in the pavilion it was always empty. The indoor track isn’t always really full but I don’t bother using it that much since it’s weirdly shaped. The basketball courts here are decent but it is always crowded so it’s hard to shoot hoops by yourself or get into a game.
Also, on the second floor they also have the mat room (the room is full of mats everywhere) and a few extra rooms with mirrors where exercising classes are held or other random events are held like dance practices, etc. I really like using the mat room when I want to do an ab workout or just stretch. But you can only go during a time when there is not a class going on like a martial arts class for example. The only time I use the other rooms with the mirrors is when I am signed up for Andrea Khoo’s classes (I definitely recommend taking her classes; she is amazing, super nice, and a big motivator). All her classes are fun and will certainly give you a good workout.
My goal is to still try out the other exercising classes that the ARC has to offer and to try out the racket ball rooms!
Overall, I would say that the ARC is a really good place to workout or to even just chill and study in the lounges they have on the first floor. I will for sure miss this place once I graduate.