“(The location is) important because we’re at a high-traffic area,” Snap Fitness owner Elizabeth Molinksy said.

“We’re close to where thousands and thousands of student houses are and (the IM Sports buildings) are awesome for on-campus people because it is close to on campus. But when you’re off campus, it’s not as convenient.”

Molinksy said she doesn’t know the exact number of students that have already signed up for gym memberships, but said she’s happy with the turnout.

“Most of our members live within three miles,” Molinksy said. “A lot of people have been signing up. It’s definitely been a good turnout.”

ASMSU Student Assembly Chairperson Michael Webber said in addition to price competition, having off-campus gyms will force the on-campus locations to step up and deliver quality facilities to meet students’ needs.

Last year, the organization put forth a bill to examine students’ IM facilities needs and any improvements that could be made to the university’s buildings.

Webber said ASMSU plans to make IM Sports-West renovations a topic of discussion this year.

“Students are going to go where the best gym is, where the best facilities are,” Webber said.

“They have to compete to get students to come. For instance, if there’s no competition, then what would be forcing, besides just the students asking, the IM program to upgrade?

They could just leave things the way they are.”

Although a number of students already have signed up to use the gym, IM Associate Director Joel Eddy said the IM program hasn’t seen a change in membership numbers.

“(The numbers are) pretty steady if you compare it with last fall,” Eddy said. “We haven’t seen a down trend or anything.”

MSU intramural facilities include IM Sports-West, East and Circle, as well as Munn Field and a field near IM Sports-East. They are used for club and intramural sports.

Eddy said facilities such as Snap Fitness are good for students because they provide other options off campus, but IM Sports buildings still offer amenities off-campus facilities don’t, including outdoor pools and gymnasiums.

“I think having everything in one location is a benefit and advantage,” he said.

Chris Woelk, a microbiology junior who is a member at Snap Fitness, said the community benefits when students have multiple places to exercise.

“There are so many residents and students in East Lansing that it can only help to spread out the horde of fitness lovers,” Woelk said.

“It should also help to keep prices more reasonable.”