Iowa State students have access to plasma-screen TVs and cable at Lied Recreational Athletic Center, staff said Saturday.

Building coordinator Mark Huebbard said there are also plans to improve the cardiovascular equipment in the future.

The university’s lineup of gyms, intramurals, sports clubs and classes earned Iowa State recognition as being one of ‘America’s fittest colleges’ last spring by Muscle and Fitness magazine, ranking third behind the University of Florida and Ohio State University.

Freshmen can start taking advantage of what the school has to offer right away with eight recreational facilities open free to all students on campus.

The recreation department’s eight facilities have more than 50 fitness programs, including cycling, kick boxing and yoga.

Doug Arrowsmith, coordinator of facility operations for the recreation department, said the school is always trying to improve on the services it offers.

“Our rec department takes pride in the quality of our facilities and programs,” Arrowsmith said.

“There are a lot of opportunities here; we have personal trainers and aerobics instructors, and I don’t know how many intramurals and sports clubs.”

Iowa State has 62 intramural sports and 46 sports clubs.

The Lied Recreational Athletic Center is the school’s main gym. Located on the east side of campus, the facility contains 20 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, two indoor tracks and a large weight room and fitness center.

It is open from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to midnight on Sunday during the fall.

Huebbard said Lied is a good place for freshmen to work out and interact.

“It’s a good social environment,” he said.

“A lot of students come here. It’s a good place to meet people, and staying fit and staying healthy is a good cause.”

Students tend to fit their workouts into their evening schedules.

“Most people aren’t morning people,” said Marissa Boldon, junior in health and human performance and an office assistant at Lied.

“It’s usually the busiest from about 4 to 10 [p.m.].”

Although Lied is the busiest, the three other gyms on campus — Beyer Hall, State Gym and the Forker Building — also attract students.

Beyer Hall, located on the west side of campus, has three basketball/volleyball courts, six racquetball courts, a weight room and a competition swimming pool.

The building is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

The floors were recently refinished, but Beyer Hall will still be open the first week of school.

Starting August 29, however, it will be closed for a week to be repainted.

State Gym provides four basketball courts, an indoor track, a swimming pool, badminton courts and the Outdoor Recreation Program.

Students can rent canoes, kayaks, tents and other supplies to trek out on their own or go on one of the many trips the program provides.

“It is something a lot of people don’t know about,” Arrowsmith said.

State Gym is located across the street from Beyer Hall and is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

The Forker Building has basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, and is located near the Lied Center on the east side of campus.

In addition, the Maple-Willow-Larch, Southeast and Towers recreational fields are open to students, as well as the disc golf course, located on 13th Street across from Frederiksen Court.