MacMoves Week
MacMoves Week is a campus-wide initiative that focuses on promoting an active and healthy campus through a fun-filled week of events! It’s a great opportunity to explore the variety of ways to get active on campus and make new connections.
Who, When & Where
MacMoves Week is open to all McMaster students, staff, faculty and alumni, and takes place each year during the first full week of October. Both virtual and on-campus events are hosted throughout the week. The next MacMoves Week will be held from October 7-11, 2024!
Some of Our Past Events
Pull4Mac Bus Pull
Hosted by the Community Engagement Committee, the McMaster community took part in the annual Pull4Mac Bus Pull to raise money for United Way Halton & Hamilton.
Rail Trail Bike Ride
The Healthy Workplace Committee hosted a no-drop bike ride exploring the local rail trail located next to McMaster University.
Yoga in HSL
The Health Sciences Library and Athletics & Recreation hosted a calming yoga session in the Health Sciences Library.
5K Campus Run
The Healthy Workplace Committee and Marauders Track & Field team led a 5K run across the McMaster campus. Beginners and intermediate runners were welcomed to participate in this run.
Cootes Hike
McMaster community members enjoyed a hike while discussing topics pertaining to invasive and native wildlife in Hamilton.
Physical Health & Ergonomics Vendor Fair
The Physical Health & Ergonomics Vendor Fair was dedicated to promoting physical health and well-being through tools, knowledge, and ergonomic workstations.
MacMoves Slow Roll
McMaster students, staff, faculty and alumni went for a slow roll to Bayfront Park.
Participants were able to join on their bikes, scooters, wheelchairs, rollerblades, or skateboards.
Frisbee With The MSU
The McMaster Students Union (MSU) brought 100 frisbees to BSB field for a campus-wide game of frisbee!
Active on Campus
Have you ever wondered where you can be active on our main campus? Have you seen something and wondered if you are permitted to use it or how to access it? This is a quick reference guide to staying active on campus.
Information Box Group
The Pulse Learn More
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: David Braley Athletics Centre (DBAC)
Cost: membership is required (free for all full-time and part-time McMaster students)
Pool Learn More
Who: Student, Staff, Faculty and Community members
Where: Ivor Wynne Centre
Cost: Membership is required (free for all full-time and part-time McMaster students)
Alpine Tower Learn More
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: Located at the north-east end of campus off Lot H
Cost: Membership is required (free for all full-time and part-time McMaster students)
ALPINE TOWER Open Climbing Sessions: Monday and Thursday nights 4-7pm – starting September 13 – MORE INFO https://rec.mcmaster.ca/activities/climbing
Group Bookings: The Altitude climbing and team building program is available for group booking – please email altitude@mcmaster.ca for more details
Outdoor Track Learn More
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: Located north of David Braley Athletics Centre
Cost: Membership is required (free for all full-time and part-time McMaster students)
Indoor Track Learn More
Who: :Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: Located inside David Braley Athletics Centre
Cost: membership is required (free for all full-time and part-time McMaster students)
Note: due to the DBAC renovations and expansion the indoor track is currently unavailable for use.
10 Acre Field Learn More
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: Located at the north-east end of campus off Lot H
Cost: membership is required (free for all full-time and part-time McMaster students)
Drop in soccer and ultimate frisbee as well as other activities are welcome on 10 Acre Field when not in use by varsity sport teams
Outdoor Fitness Circuit Learn More
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: Located north of the outdoor track
Cost: Free
Nature Trails - Millers Grove Learn More
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: Located behind alumni field (by parking lot H) – nature trails are part of the Cootes Paradise Nature Reserve, owned and managed by the Royal Botanical Gardens – please stay on trail and respect the natural environment by not littering
Cost: Free
Hamilton Bike Share Learn More
Note: this is not a McMaster program but there are bike share hub locations on campus
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: There are currently 8 hubs located on campus including outside Ewart Angus (the hospital north end) and the student centre.
Cost: Prices vary (discounted McMaster student plans are available)
Baseball Diamonds Learn More
Open May until the end of November. Note: McMaster’s baseball team plays at Bernie Arbour Stadium on East Hamilton Mountain.
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty and Community members
Where: Located in west campus off of Lot P
Cost: Home to the GSA Softball League, Phoenix Cup tournament and Intramural games, the baseball diamonds are also available for community group rentals
Open from May until the end of November
Squash Courts Learn More
Who: Students, Staff, Faculty & Community members
Where: Located in the David Braley Athletics Centre
Cost: Membership is required (free for all full-time and part-time McMaster students)
McMaster Resources
Campus Resources You Should Check Out
David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehab Centre Learn More
The David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre is a world class facility located on the McMaster University campus, in the David Braley Athletic Centre. The Sport Medicine Centre is open to McMaster athletes, students, faculty, staff, and the Greater Hamilton Area community.
McMaster Intramural Sports Learn More
A chance to play for everyone – sport leagues, tournaments, fun and friendship for all abilities. No tryouts, no coaches, no cuts. If you want to play, you can play! Teams and Free Agents register for the sports of their choice and can expect to play one game per week. We can’t wait to play with you!
Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) Learn More
PACE is a state-of-the-art exercise research and training centre committed to studying and improving the health and well-being of older adults and people living with chronic diseases or disabilities. PACE has a team of researchers, staff and students helping more than 500 community members stay active and healthy.
Instructional Programs Learn More
Available to anyone – here is where you go if you want to take yoga, ballroom dancing, hip hop, martial arts … and so much more. Check out the website to see what is offered and to register for a class.
Nature @ McMaster Learn More
Nature at McMaster runs hiking events, stewardship projects as well as classroom and outdoor learning programming and assists with the land management of natural areas related to trails and invasive and native species management on McMaster University property.
Natural beauty is McMaster University! It abounds in and around our campus. We are blessed with a treasure of waterfalls, valleys, meadows, wetlands, and forests to explore and discover. The beautiful environs of West Hamilton are one of the primary reasons McMaster located here almost ninety years ago. Since then, our long association with the world-class Royal Botanical Gardens and other local conservation organizations have ensured that McMaster’s natural backyard is protected and preserved.
McMaster Experts
Dr. Stuart M. Phillips Learn More
Professor Phillips is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health. In addition to being a full Professor in Kinesiology, also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American College of Nutrition (ACN). His research is focused on the impact of nutrition and exercise on human skeletal muscle protein turnover. He is also keenly interested in diet- and exercise-induced changes in body composition.
Dr. Martin Gibala Learn More
Dr. Gibala’s research examines the effects of exercise at the molecular to whole body level in both healthy individuals and people with chronic diseases. In addition to basic, mechanistic studies on the regulation of skeletal muscle energy metabolism, his laboratory conducts applied research that examines the impact of physical training and nutrition on human health and performance. He is interested in science communication and coauthored a book for the general public on the science of time-efficient exercise, The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That’s Smarter, Faster, Shorter (Penguin Random House, 2017).
Dr. Jennifer Heisz Learn More
Dr. Jennifer J. Heisz is an expert in brain health. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University (ranked Top 25 in the world) and directs the NeuroFit Lab, which has attracted nearly $1 million to support her research program on the effects of exercise for brain health. Dr. Heisz’s research examines the effects of physical activity on brain function to promote mental health and cognition in young adults, older adults and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Community Movement Resources
Check out these additional resources about movement.