The UCSB Recreation Center plays a crucial role in supporting the campus community’s health and wellness. With over 4,000 visits on peak days, it serves as a pillar for the physical and mental well-being of students and staff alike. Yet, balancing a productive workout with classes and other commitments can prove challenging. The popularity of the facility often attracts crowds, which can lead to long waits for equipment.

Fortunately, by understanding usage patterns and peak hours, individuals can time their visits to avoid rush hours and make the most of their workout sessions.

Entrance data from the Recreation Center, spanning January 2016 to April 2025, indicates that the Recreation Center sees the highest number of visitors on weekday afternoons.

Monday through Wednesday afternoons see the heaviest traffic, with Tuesday and Wednesday having the most entrances overall. With over 290 entries between 5-6 p.m., Mondays and Tuesdays are — on average — the busiest days of the week.

Dina Ferino, Assistant Director of Operations for the Department of Recreation, confirmed these patterns.

“The highest facility usage is Monday-Wednesday,” Ferino said. “Our peak student attendance is 3:00-6:00 p.m.”

Ferino explained that the exact reasons behind these trends likely involve multiple factors.

“It’s likely a combination of factors; schedule changes, motivation and time off taken over the weekend,” Ferino said. “The same applies to the 3-6 p.m. period: higher traffic may reflect class schedules, campus activities that start later in the evening, students taking study breaks or the appeal of a more social environment.”

Activity peaks on weekday afternoons, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays seeing the most entrances. Weekends see dramatically lower activity, while average swipes to the Recreation Center on weekdays generally increase after 9 a.m. The Recreation Center operates on different hours on weekends, closing earlier at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sundays. (Chloe Lo / Daily Nexus)

Third-year political science major Ethan Yu, who visits the Recreation Center three to four times every week, experiences these peak hours firsthand.

“1:00-4:00 p.m. is usually very crowded, especially in the [Pavilion Gymnasium]. With a surplus of people working out and a deficit of the most-used workout equipment, my routine is definitely prolonged,” Yu said.

Despite the crowds, Yu prioritizes convenience over avoiding busy times.

“I don’t really adjust my own schedule to how crowded the gym gets. I sacrifice more time so that it’s more convenient for me,” Yu said.

Weekly attendance data shows that gym visits peak at the beginning of each quarter before gradually declining as the weeks progress. Attendance dips approximately around the middle and end of each quarter, which align with midterm and final periods. Furthermore, gym attendance across fall, winter and spring quarters shows that fall quarter sees the highest participation rates while spring quarter typically has the lowest.

Ferino explained that holidays and finals week significantly affect traffic.

“Holidays are typically slower. For context, during last year’s Winter Break reduced hours (December 14-20, 2024), the Recreation Center recorded only 1,999 student visits,” Ferino said. “Finals week also trends lower; for example, on December 9, 2024 — the first day of finals — we had 2,022 student visits,” Ferino said.

The drops during these periods likely reflect broader shifts in campus life. Ferino explains that during finals week, some students have essays or online exams and may leave campus, while others take on extra work shifts due to more flexible schedules. Over winter break, most students leave campus entirely and many prioritize family or internships.

The beginning of each quarter sees a significant increase in facility usage as students rush to recommit to their fitness goals. Ferino shared specific numbers from the start of Fall Quarter 2025, highlighting the excitement and rush that often come with the beginning of the academic year.

“We typically see increased student traffic at the start of each quarter. For context this fall: September 22 saw 3,974 student visits, September 23, 3,750, September 24, 4,235, September 25, 4,117, September 26, 3,650, September 29, 4,950, September 30, 4,506, October 1, 4,464, October 2, 3,845 and October 3, 3,077,” Ferino reported.

Managing these peak periods demands strategic staffing decisions, especially given current budget constraints.

“In prior years we staffed these peaks primarily with student employees, but given the current campus budget environment we are relying more on professional staff support — myself and two Operations Coordinators — alongside our outstanding student leaders, recreation supervisors and operations specialists,” Ferino explained.

Early morning hours are typically a quiet option for students looking to steer clear of crowds. Although weekdays have fewer than 120 entrances before 8 a.m., weekend mornings ultimately see the lowest traffic. For students willing to adjust their schedules, Yu recommends visiting around then.

“If you are not opposed to waking up earlier in the morning, there is barely anyone ever working out early in the morning (7:30-8:30 a.m.),” Yu said.

Ferino notes that the morning users differ from the afternoon crowd in composition.

“Between 6:00-8:00 a.m., we usually see faculty, staff, community members and some students,” Ferino explained. “12:00-2:00 p.m. is busy with faculty/staff and students between classes.”

Weekend patterns differ considerably from those on weekdays. Participation levels on Saturday and Sunday drop significantly, with traffic building gradually from 9 a.m. onward and peak hours occurring earlier in the day than on weekdays. On weekends, entrances rarely surpass 180 per hour, a notable difference from weekday peaks that often exceed 240 per hour.

Meanwhile, evening hours may offer another peaceful alternative to the afternoon surges on weekdays.

“We remain active until about 9:00 p.m., though not as busy as the afternoon peak, and traffic slows between 9:00-11:00 p.m.,” Ferino said.

Thursdays and Fridays see particularly dramatic declines, with Friday attendance falling to just 58.84 average entrances at 8 p.m., a sharp contrast from the 230 entrances at the day’s afternoon peak.

Real-time Wi-Fi analytics captures actual time spent by active users across the facility, not just entrances. Usage data throughout the 2024-25 academic year showed high spring engagement, a summer decline and notable drops during winter break. Daily occupancy peaked at over 500 users during the evening hours from 4-8 p.m., and overnight use dropped to nearly zero as the facility closed.

Wi-Fi analytics tracking real-time occupancy from 2024-2025 shows seasonal patterns: high spring engagement, summer decline and holiday drops in December. (Courtesy of UCSB Recreation Center)

Data from March 2, 2025 to March 9, 2025 — week 9 and one week before Dead Week in Winter 2025 — revealed consistent daily patterns throughout the week. Tracking shows occupancy increasing throughout the day, peaking during dinner hours and then dropping sharply as students prepare for the following day.

Daily occupancy peaks at just over 500 users during evening hours (4-8 p.m.), and overnight the occupancy drops to near-zero at closing. (Courtesy of UCSB Recreation Center)

Swipe data and Wi-Fi data can only paint a partial picture of the Rec Center’s usage since many students enter without swiping cards or entering their perm ID, and activities that take place outside of the main building are not reflected in this data, according to Ferino.

“Many of our programs take place outside the Recreation Center, primarily in Rob Gym and on the Rec Cen Fields. Approximately 80% of programs are held in Rob Gym Monday through Sunday, and participation at those locations is not included in our Rec Cen access data,” Ferino said. “Event attendance at these sites is still tracked using manual counters.”

Group fitness classes, intramural sports and special events held at satellite locations significantly contribute to overall campus recreation participation.

For many students like Yu, being able to access the Rec Center is essential to their well-being.
“The Recreation Center is incredibly crucial to the mental and physical health of many UCSB students. I remember there was a week last year where I lost my campus ID card and couldn’t enter the gym while I waited for my card to be replaced. Not having a gym to exercise [in] was definitely difficult for me,” Yu said.

Given the facility’s significance, the importance of understanding usage trends extends beyond convenience alone. Helping students maintain a consistent fitness routine allows them to prioritize their health without adding extra burden to their busy schedules.

A version of this article appeared on p. 7 of the Nov. 13 print edition of the Daily Nexus.