With more than 180,000 sq. feet of activity spaces, including the aquatic center, fitness centre, indoor track, climbing wall, outdoor fields, squash courts, and numerous gymnasiums and studio spaces, Mount Royal University has been providing recreation opportunities to enrich the lives of students, employees, and Calgary community members for decades.
 
However, this isn't the most impressive way MRU uniquely differentiates itself from other fitness facilities around the city. Instead, MRU strives daily to inspire people to move to be the best version of themselves.
 
"There is a space for everybody here at MRU," said Jackie Cooney, Fitness and Customer Experience Supervisor. "Whether on the track, in the multipurpose room, or the studio, it is about encouraging movement for life. We want you to be here because you want to be here. We are here to make the spaces welcoming and for everyone to feel safe, whether in a group or individually."
 
MRU's recreation programs strive to be places where people can show up as their authentic selves, foster a long-term love of movement, and be a part of a community.
 
"We are now the loneliest society because of our phones and [growing disconnection in our lives], so we are trying to provide a sense of belonging and community," said Cooney. "We want to give students as many opportunities to step into a forum that allows them to be part of a larger community within the university that promotes movement."
 
MRU Recreation is establishing this sense of community through its inclusive environments, programs, and offerings, such as group fitness classes, which provide people with the space to work together and make lasting connections.
 
From free orientations that make the fitness centre recognizable and accessible, to programs such as 'Learn to Lift' and 'Advancing Your Strength Training' that help members expand their knowledge to feel more comfortable in the gym, MRU is investing in programs that help build confidence in activity and encourage students to take advantage of the unique opportunities that the university experience has to offer.
 
"Younger folks and students might not understand the importance of movement and fitness in their lives; I was there myself," said Bjorn Billehaug, Associate Director of Recreation. "However, whether the motivation around coming to our spaces and joining our programs starts with competition between friends, aesthetics and body image, or that the equipment looks cool and we play good music, students will start to see the importance in our physical, emotional, and social well-being. Once students figure out the physical and mental benefits of fitness and the social connections that come with it, it can be powerful for them in the long term."
 
MRU's fitness facilities have become a catalyst for personal growth and transformations for many students who have leaped to discover what  MRU has to offer.
 
One such student, Logan Facette, embodies the spirit of what MRU Recreation aims to achieve.
 
Facette, a current public relations student, member of the Students Association of MRU representative council, and EDI Student Member-at-Large spent much of last year in MRU fitness facilities, focusing on his physical and mental health.
 
"I was working out [at MRU] every single day for two or three hours. At the start of the semester, I was 280 pounds, and now I'm down to 230," said Facette. "Everyone is trying to reach some personal goal within the gym, but the MRU programs give you more of a personalized experience."
 
Facette's journey highlights the impact of MRU's fitness initiatives. It demonstrates how these spaces can become integral to a student's university experience and emphasizes the positive effect they can have on mental well-being. 
 
"I've had epilepsy since I was diagnosed at age three, and have spent my lifetime dealing with anxiety and depression because of it," said Facette. "I got to a point last year where I wanted to explore health and fitness as a tool to assist my mental health, and looking back, I can't imagine another way of living. It has not only helped my well-being, but has trickled into the success of my courses and the other ways that I participate within the university." 
 
Facette encourages students to explore MRU's fitness programs and facilities for themselves regardless of their fears.
 
"In the past, I would have backed out. But looking back to where I was in 2023, although it's okay to take a step back, you can keep going and achieve your short and long-term goals," said Facette. "I encourage students to be patient with trying different methods to be successful, and that even the smallest steps to achieving your fitness goals make a major difference, especially in a community like MRU."
 
As MRU Recreation continues to adapt to evolving fitness trends and student needs, the focus remains on creating an inclusive, supportive environment that encourages students to explore various forms of movement. From strength training to group fitness classes and climbing walls to aquatic centers, MRU offers diverse opportunities for students to spark their passion for fitness and build lasting connections.
 
"I encourage students who may not be familiar with these environments to step in for the first time," says Billehaug. "We love hearing those stories when they finally engage with us that way."
 
More information about memberships, facility spaces, and program registration is available online at mrucougars.com.