.jpg "Group of five young people playing with a volleyball in a brightly lit indoor pool, wearing glow necklaces.")
Discover Campus Recreation at Loyola
Discover Campus Recreation at Loyola
Ask a Loyola student where they squeeze in a workout between classes, and most will point to the Halas Recreation Center, located in the Damen Student Center on Lake Shore Campus. Managed by Campus Recreation, Halas is more than just a place to exercise – it’s a space for every Rambler to build healthy routines and community.
Helping lead Halas is Aaron Carlson, Assistant Director for Campus Recreation, who oversees fitness programming while assisting with marketing strategy, budgeting, and the management of 175 student workers. He’s seen firsthand what makes Campus Recreation so special for students.
“Campus Recreation is more than just a gym,” Aaron says. “We are truly a place where every student can come and feel like they belong, find a home, and participate in our programs.”
Even on beautiful summer days or freezing winter mornings, students continue to show up. But for Aaron, what stands out the most isn’t just the turnout – it’s the culture.
“Whether you've never lifted weights in your life, or you were a varsity athlete in high school, you can come to Halas and know that you will be safe. Nobody will judge you. Everybody's just doing their own thing,” Carlson shared. “We have staff that work in all our fitness spaces that you can go to if you have any questions or you don't know where to start. Super good environment, super good vibes.”
Read on to hear more from Aaron and one of his department’s group fitness instructors, Serena Troshynski (BA ’26), about what makes Halas feel like home.
Q: Hey Aaron! What does Campus Recreation do for students?
Campus Recreation has all types of programming. We have dozens of intramurals and club sport options... literally every sport that you can think of. We even have intramural trivia.
We also have over 70 group fitness classes each week, which is included in all Halas memberships, so you just get to show up and take a class led by a nationally-certified instructor. It’s all super inclusive and super welcoming.
We also have our rock wall, which is open to all students every day. Don’t worry if you’ve never rock climbed before or you’re afraid of heights. We have a great team of student workers to help you.
.jpg "Indoor climbing gym with a tall rock wall; a person is ascending, ropes hang from the ceiling, and a padded floor is visible below. Large windows overlook the brightly lit indoor space.")
Many people don’t know this, but we also have a heated swimming pool for those who are looking to do some laps, and a sauna for a good winter escape.
Q: How can students get more involved with Campus Recreation?
Students can get involved by stopping by Halas for a workout or one of our many events. Join an intramural team or a club sport, drop into a group fitness class, pop by the rock wall, go to the pool, or stop by one of our many campus programs.
We also have many student workers, and we are always looking for our next best employees on campus!
Q: How can students stay up-to-date on Campus Recreation’s programs and events?
The best way to stay informed on all things Campus Recreation is to follow us on Instagram, @luccampusrec. For group fitness, follow us at (@luc_gfit). For intramural sports, find as at (@lucimsports).
By following all three, you'll get all the latest information and special announcements, shared exclusively on Instagram.
I’d also recommend paying attention to flyers around Halas and the Damen Student Center and joining our group on LUCommunity, where we post all of our upcoming events
And of course, if you ever have any questions, you can always ask our student staff, who are all super knowledgeable, friendly, and happy to help you.
Q&A with Serena Troshynski, Group Fitness Instructor
While Aaron oversees the department, instructors like Serena, a current senior and Yoga Instructor at Loyola, bring the experience to life.
Q: Hey, Serena! What’s your favorite part about teaching in Campus Recreation?
My favorite part about teaching Group Fitness is seeing my students dedicate themselves to their practice. Week-to-week, I get to watch them strengthen not only their physical form, but their mindfulness as they learn new poses, find confidence, and get into their flow!
Q: What’s one thing most students don’t know about Campus Recreation?
Just how hard their GFIT instructors have worked to prepare themselves for their role. It's not as simple as teaching a 50-minute class and throwing together a playlist. They need to be strong physically, as well as have a real passion. That passion has sparked hours and hours of reflection, practice, and deeper study, which culminates in passing a national licensure exam.
Q: What skills will students gain from taking part in Campus Recreation classes?
Participating in a GFIT class might just change your world! Every class that we offer is open to all levels, meaning even if you have never once considered yoga or cycle or lifting or dancing, we will guide you through until you feel confident in your own ability. GFIT classes not only help to strengthen your body, but they also help you de-stress, practice a bit of mindfulness, and find a welcoming, encouraging community!
So, we invite you to step into Halas—whether it's your first visit or part of your weekly routine—and discover why Campus Recreation is more than a gym: it’s a community, and we want you to be a part of it.
Ask a Loyola student where they squeeze in a workout between classes, and most will point to the Halas Recreation Center, located in the Damen Student Center on Lake Shore Campus. Managed by Campus Recreation, Halas is more than just a place to exercise – it’s a space for every Rambler to build healthy routines and community.
Helping lead Halas is Aaron Carlson, Assistant Director for Campus Recreation, who oversees fitness programming while assisting with marketing strategy, budgeting, and the management of 175 student workers. He’s seen firsthand what makes Campus Recreation so special for students.
“Campus Recreation is more than just a gym,” Aaron says. “We are truly a place where every student can come and feel like they belong, find a home, and participate in our programs.”
Even on beautiful summer days or freezing winter mornings, students continue to show up. But for Aaron, what stands out the most isn’t just the turnout – it’s the culture.
“Whether you've never lifted weights in your life, or you were a varsity athlete in high school, you can come to Halas and know that you will be safe. Nobody will judge you. Everybody's just doing their own thing,” Carlson shared. “We have staff that work in all our fitness spaces that you can go to if you have any questions or you don't know where to start. Super good environment, super good vibes.”
Read on to hear more from Aaron and one of his department’s group fitness instructors, Serena Troshynski (BA ’26), about what makes Halas feel like home.
Q: Hey Aaron! What does Campus Recreation do for students?
Campus Recreation has all types of programming. We have dozens of intramurals and club sport options... literally every sport that you can think of. We even have intramural trivia.
We also have over 70 group fitness classes each week, which is included in all Halas memberships, so you just get to show up and take a class led by a nationally-certified instructor. It’s all super inclusive and super welcoming.
We also have our rock wall, which is open to all students every day. Don’t worry if you’ve never rock climbed before or you’re afraid of heights. We have a great team of student workers to help you.
Many people don’t know this, but we also have a heated swimming pool for those who are looking to do some laps, and a sauna for a good winter escape.
Q: How can students get more involved with Campus Recreation?
Students can get involved by stopping by Halas for a workout or one of our many events. Join an intramural team or a club sport, drop into a group fitness class, pop by the rock wall, go to the pool, or stop by one of our many campus programs.
We also have many student workers, and we are always looking for our next best employees on campus!
Q: How can students stay up-to-date on Campus Recreation’s programs and events?
The best way to stay informed on all things Campus Recreation is to follow us on Instagram, @luccampusrec. For group fitness, follow us at (@luc_gfit). For intramural sports, find as at (@lucimsports).
By following all three, you'll get all the latest information and special announcements, shared exclusively on Instagram.
I’d also recommend paying attention to flyers around Halas and the Damen Student Center and joining our group on LUCommunity, where we post all of our upcoming events
And of course, if you ever have any questions, you can always ask our student staff, who are all super knowledgeable, friendly, and happy to help you.
Q&A with Serena Troshynski, Group Fitness Instructor
While Aaron oversees the department, instructors like Serena, a current senior and Yoga Instructor at Loyola, bring the experience to life.
Q: Hey, Serena! What’s your favorite part about teaching in Campus Recreation?
My favorite part about teaching Group Fitness is seeing my students dedicate themselves to their practice. Week-to-week, I get to watch them strengthen not only their physical form, but their mindfulness as they learn new poses, find confidence, and get into their flow!
Q: What’s one thing most students don’t know about Campus Recreation?
Just how hard their GFIT instructors have worked to prepare themselves for their role. It's not as simple as teaching a 50-minute class and throwing together a playlist. They need to be strong physically, as well as have a real passion. That passion has sparked hours and hours of reflection, practice, and deeper study, which culminates in passing a national licensure exam.
Q: What skills will students gain from taking part in Campus Recreation classes?
Participating in a GFIT class might just change your world! Every class that we offer is open to all levels, meaning even if you have never once considered yoga or cycle or lifting or dancing, we will guide you through until you feel confident in your own ability. GFIT classes not only help to strengthen your body, but they also help you de-stress, practice a bit of mindfulness, and find a welcoming, encouraging community!
So, we invite you to step into Halas—whether it's your first visit or part of your weekly routine—and discover why Campus Recreation is more than a gym: it’s a community, and we want you to be a part of it.