How to Actually Use the ASU Sun Devil Fitness Complex
The SDFC is one of ASU's best student resources — here's how to navigate it, what's inside, and how to build a workout routine that sticks.
The SDFC Is Better Than Your Hometown Gym
The Sun Devil Fitness Complex on the Tempe campus is included in your student fees. It's large, well-maintained, and significantly nicer than the commercial gym you might have been a member of back home. Most students either don't go at all or go twice in September and then forget about it.
Here's how to actually use it.
What's in the SDFC
The Tempe SDFC has multiple zones worth knowing:
The main cardio and weight floor — treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, cable machines, dumbbells, barbells, and squat racks. Standard gym equipment but well-stocked. The dumbbell selection goes heavy, which matters if you've been lifting for a while.
The weight room — a more serious lifting area separate from the main floor, depending on which SDFC building you're in. Less crowded during off-peak hours.
The pool — lap swimming is included. The SDFC pools are a legitimate facility, not an afterthought. If you swim, this is excellent value. Bring your own padlock for the lockers.
Racquetball and basketball courts — first-come, first-served or reservable. Basketball courts get busy in the evenings; racquetball courts are less contested.
Group fitness classes — yoga, HIIT, cycling, Zumba, and more. The schedule rotates each semester. Classes are free and you sign up through the SDFC portal. They fill up for popular times, so book ahead.
Climbing wall — yes, there's a climbing wall. Gear rentals are available. It's a legitimate wall, not a tourist feature.
When to Go
The SDFC follows a predictable crowd pattern:
- Worst times: 4–7pm on weekdays, first two weeks of the semester
- Best times: 7–9am, 11am–1pm on weekdays, weekend mornings
- Summer: Almost any time — the crowd drops significantly
If you can shift your workout to morning or midday, the experience is significantly better. You'll have your pick of equipment and the general energy is more focused.
Actually Building a Habit
The gym is only useful if you go consistently. A few things that help:
Schedule it like a class. Block your workout time in your calendar. Treat it as non-negotiable the same way you'd treat a 9am lecture.
Don't start with a complicated program. Three days a week, 45 minutes, doing things you mostly know how to do is infinitely better than one week of an elaborate program you found on Reddit followed by six weeks of nothing.
Go with someone. Not because you need a workout partner for the workout itself, but because canceling on a real person is harder than canceling on yourself.
Lower the bar for "success." If you walked in, did 20 minutes, and left — that's better than not going. Don't require perfection from yourself early in the habit.
Equipment You Might Not Know About
The SDFC has equipment rental for outdoor recreation — camping gear, sports equipment, and more. This is through the ASU Outdoor Recreation program and is dramatically underused. If you want to camp at a state park for a weekend but don't own gear, rent it from SDFC.
They also offer personal training sessions at student rates. Not free, but cheaper than commercial gym trainers.
Fitness Classes Worth Trying
If you're not sure where to start or want something different from solo lifting:
- Yoga — good for recovery and stress, and the SDFC yoga instructors are generally solid
- HIIT classes — efficient if you want cardio without running
- Spin/cycling — the bikes at the SDFC are actual studio equipment; it's a real workout
- Pilates — lower impact but genuinely challenging; good for mobility
First week of each semester, show up to a class you're curious about. The only barrier is actually going once.
The Locker Room Situation
Bring your own lock. The SDFC has lockers but not all have built-in locks. A small combination lock costs $5 and it's worth having so you can leave a bag while you work out without paranoia.
Connect It to the Rest of Your Life
The SDFC also connects to paths for running around campus. The route around Tempe Town Lake is popular and accessible. If you'd rather exercise outside than inside, especially during the cooler months, the infrastructure is there.
For the gym-averse: the pools, the climbing wall, and the racquetball courts are legitimately fun and don't feel like traditional exercise. Use the SDFC for recreation, not just fitness. You're paying for it either way.
Ready to buy or sell?
Join thousands of ASU students on the marketplace built for Sun Devils.