Active Art: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art sports facilities

Balancing the Studio with the Gym: Physical Wellness at DJCAD

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) is globally renowned for its creative output, high-ranking design programs, and vibrant studio culture. Located in Dundee, Scotland's sunniest city, DJCAD attracts passionate artists, designers, and animators. However, the life of an art student often involves long hours hunched over drawing boards, digital tablets, or pottery wheels. To combat the inevitable physical toll of intense creative work, accessing top-tier fitness spaces is vital.

While DJCAD is an art school, it is an integral part of the University of Dundee. This means DJCAD students enjoy full, unrestricted access to the world-class University of Dundee sports facilities, managed by the Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE) and the Dundee University Sports Union (DUSU). Situated just a two-minute walk from the Matthew and Crawford buildings, these facilities offer the perfect escape to stretch, sweat, and socialize.

Exploring the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art Sports Facilities

The main hub for exercise is the Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE), located on Balfour Place, right in the heart of the main campus. DJCAD students do not need to travel far to find premium fitness spaces, modern training equipment, and relaxing recreational zones.

1. The Gym & Strength Suites

The ISE houses a massive multi-station gym split into specialized zones to cater to all fitness levels. Whether you are aiming to hit a personal best or are completely new to fitness, the gym features:

• Cardio Zone: Loaded with modern treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, and stationary bikes, many featuring interactive screens.
• Fixed-Resistance Area: Excellent for beginners looking to build strength safely.
• Free Weights Room: Features dumbells up to 50kg, multiple adjustable benches, and cable machines.
• High-Performance Strength Suite: Specifically designed for heavy lifting, equipped with Olympic lifting platforms, squat racks, and bumper plates.

2. The Swimming Pool & Sauna

For low-impact recovery, the University's 25-meter swimming pool is an incredible asset. It hosts open swim sessions, lane swimming, and water-based fitness sessions. After a vigorous swim, students can relax in the sauna to soothe aching muscles developed during long studio shifts.

3. Squash Courts & Indoor Sports Halls

If you prefer competitive or social games, the ISE features multiple glass-backed squash courts and two large multi-sport indoor halls. These halls host basketball, netball, badminton, five-a-side football, and volleyball sessions throughout the academic year.

Securing Your Student Gym Membership: Costs & Packages

Accessing the premium facilities at the ISE requires a student gym membership. The University of Dundee offers highly subsidized rates for students, making it incredibly affordable compared to commercial gyms in Dundee city centre.

Joining the Athletic Union & Sports Clubs

For art students looking to represent their university, learn a brand-new skill, or find a community outside of the design studios, the Dundee University Sports Union (DUSU)—the university's athletic union—oversees more than 40 different sports clubs.

These clubs range from traditional team sports like rugby, football, and hockey, to adventure and niche sports such as skydiving, ultimate frisbee, mountaineering, and surf club (taking full advantage of Scotland's gorgeous east coast beaches like St Andrews and Lunan Bay).

Joining a sports club is highly social, with weekly training sessions, competitive fixtures in the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) leagues, and regular themed social events that are perfect for meeting students from other academic departments.

Recharging with Group Fitness Classes

If you find it hard to motivate yourself to work out alone, the ISE offers an extensive weekly timetable of fitness classes. Led by fully qualified instructors, these classes are designed to be energetic, welcoming, and highly effective.

Low-Pressure Fun: Intramural Sports

Not everyone wants the high-pressure commitment of varsity sports. If you want to play sport purely for fun, social interaction, and bragging rights, the intramural sports leagues are a perfect fit.

DJCAD students often form their own teams representing specific courses (e.g., "Fine Art FC" or "Graphic Design Netball") to compete against other subjects. These leagues run throughout the year in sports like 5-a-side football, netball, and basketball. It requires no weekly practice commitments and focuses heavily on fun, fair play, and lighthearted rivalry.

How to Stay Fit Around a Busy Art School Schedule

Art school is notoriously demanding, with intense project deadlines and physical fatigue from hands-on making. Managing your physical health is a key component of academic success. Here is how to make fitness work for you:

• Use the Location: The ISE is practically next door to the DJCAD buildings. Use a 45-minute gym session or swim as a constructive midday break to step away from your work.
• Schedule Your Workouts: Treat your gym sessions or fitness classes with the same level of commitment as your studio tutorials. Put them in your digital calendar.
• Keep a Gym Bag in Your Locker: DJCAD provides student lockers. Keep a fresh change of workout clothes and a towel in your locker so you can head straight to the gym whenever inspiration or free time strikes.