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Students, staff members notice increased traffic at Fitness Center
January 23, 2006 —
As Julie Akright pedals one of the spin bikes in the Fitness Center, she occasionally glances at the televisions mounted in front of her. It's late Saturday afternoon and the 19-year-old sophomore is taking a moment out of her day to work at her New Year's Resolution. Ironically though, it has little to do with exercise.
"I have all these great shows that are on that I don't watch," she says. "I'm kind of stressed out so I thought it would be a good way to kick back and relax."
That's right. Akright's resolution is to watch more television. And while such a resolution may not be commonplace, she is in the Fitness Center, which is something that is becoming more common among her fellow students, whether it has anything to do with resolutions or not.
A combination of resolutions, cold weather and excess Christmas pounds has brought increased traffic to the Fitness Center during the first few weeks of the semester. Campus Recreation Coordinator KJ Foster estimates that the Center saw an average of just over 1,000 people per day during the first week of the semester, often leading to long wait times on some of the cardio machines during peak hours.
"If you come in here at 4:30," Foster says, "you're going to see people toying around with the weight equipment just waiting to get on the cardio equipment."
Aimee Baron agrees. The 20-year-old Port Huron native works at the front desk and has noticed the increased traffic since students returned for the semester.
"Since we came back from break," she says, "the gym has been packed."
Baron has noticed trends like this before. She has been working the desk for about two years and is used to seeing an influx of new faces at the beginning of the winter semester.
"I think people are trying to fulfill their New Year's Resolutions," she says, "which are mainly working out more, losing weight and looking better."
Statistics show that Baron is correct. While years' past may have seen high numbers of Americans focusing on trying to quit smoking or save money for their resolutions, the trend as of late in the unhealthiest nation in the world is to try and shed extra pounds. However, contributing to the unhealthy label is that the fitness renaissance often begins to slow down and people eventually begin to return to more sedentary lifestyles.
Foster realizes this and consciously makes an effort to try to curb that number.
"Everyone comes in with a New Year's Resolution," Foster says. "Every year, they want to come in and get in shape. It's my job to put together programs to keep them here."
One such program utilizes the recently purchased spin bikes. Before winter break last semester, the Center used just over $10,000 to purchase eleven bikes, which provide the same feel as riding an actual bicycle. Foster says he has also ordered several interactive DVDs to use in spin bike classes that the center hopes to offer up to five times a day. Foster expects the DVDs to arrive within the month.
The classes will allow spin bike users to plug headphones into the bikes and listen to a sort of virtual class while riding.
"Those bikes are more like ten-speed bikes, so they'll give you the same feeling if you're going uphill or downhill," Foster says. "You couple that with someone teaching it, whether it's a person or on the TV, and you can get yourself a pretty intense workout."
In addition to the upcoming spin bike classes, the Center also offers other programs. Aerobics classes are available as well as orientation programs to get new users acclimated to the Fitness Center.
Those not interested in utilizing the programs and who want to work out in a more low-key setting should be pleased to know Foster estimates the Center will begin to slow down by the end of the month.
But while traffic remains high, Foster suggests those who wish to avoid the crowds come either before 10:30 a.m., between 1:30 and 4 p.m., or between 8 p.m. and when the Center closes at 10 p.m..
"Any other time," Foster says, "bring a Snickers. You're gonna be here awhile."
For those not wanting another failed workout resolution, Foster offers several suggestions including setting a goal with several attainable objectives around it and working out with a partner.
Akright decided on the latter piece of advice, choosing to workout with her older sister, Lisa, who admits to having a quasi-resolution of trying to keep the winter weight off.
"I don't make serious resolutions ever," Lisa says. "I never keep them."
When asked then how she intends on staying committed to working out, she cocks her thumb towards her sister, Julie, and says, "This girl sitting right next to me."
If working out with a partner or setting goals isn't quite your thing either, Foster suggests speaking with him to find something that will keep you motivated and coming in.
"I have an open door policy," he says. "You can come into my office and we can sit down and talk about anything. If you want to talk about losing weight or whatever, we can talk about it."
But for those who want to go it alone, Baron offers advice of her own when saying why she doesn't believe in New Year's Resolutions.
"I figure if I want to start losing weight, if I want to start eating better, if I want to start doing more homework ... than I can start anytime I want," she explains. "Most people feel it's a new year and a new beginning ... a brand new start. But really it's just another day."
