Closed on a Saturday morning at 8:15 a.m.? How can this be? At home, getting to the gym past 8:00 a.m. meant you would have to wait for machines. I quickly find the hours posted on the door to reassure myself that there must be a mix-up and someone will be there to open the door shortly. And then I see it.

IM Sports-West doesn’t open to the public until 10:00 a.m. IM Sports-Circle and IM Sports-East don’t either. I couldn’t believe it. With scheduled practice at 6:15 AM most mornings, I never noticed MSU’s intramural facilities don’t open until near the end of the morning. Talk about not expecting much from students and faculty on a Saturday morning.

MSU’s intramural facilities are open by 6:30 a.m. on weekdays, presumably so individuals who have early classes, work or other responsibilities can get their workout in prior to being on the run for the rest of the day. Why should the weekend be any different? Yes, the stereotypical college student might stay out late drinking Friday night and into Saturday morning, making them less inclined to get up for an 8 a.m. workout Saturday, but that stereotype certainly does not represent all of the students and faculty that use the intramural facilities.

I am aware of the fact that intramurals use the ID scans to tabulate the number of visitors to the facilities, but I would be interested in seeing a report of said numbers. I foresee the reasoning behind the later facility hours being based upon the lower numbers, but without knowledge of the hours ever being earlier, it is hard to say whether students and faculty would be receptive to working out earlier. I know Saturdays are my day to relax, enjoy watching an MSU football game, shop or hang out with friends. I also am very accustomed to working out in the morning prior to relaxing the rest of the day. During the week, I am at the gym by 6:30 a.m. because it jump-starts the rest of my day and allows me to be more flexible throughout the afternoon and evening hours. While I cannot justify intramurals opening their facilities by 6:30 a.m. on the weekends, 8:00 a.m. is not much to ask. There are students and faculty who are up before 10:00 a.m.

With rising obesity rates, increases in hours worked per week and the reduction of budgets for physical education and recreation programs over the past decade, the importance of physical activity for children and adults has received some attention from the media.

A recent example is first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative. Although her plan focuses mostly on reducing childhood obesity and poor eating habits, college age students also should consider the message. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder recently has called individuals to take more responsibility for their physical well-being with his 4X4 plan promoting more physical activity and healthier eating habits. A 2008 study by Indiana University found that 67 percent of women and 86 percent of men gained 10 pounds or more over their college career, with men gaining an average of 14 pounds. Not only does physical activity facilitate healthy weight management, it also improves mental health. For college students who are constantly stressed with academic, professional and social pressures, it comes as a welcome outlet to reduce stress and improve moods.

Weekend hours are reduced to accommodate for fewer exercise fiends, but the weekend should be the best time to get in a good workout.

Although students might find themselves overwhelmed with homework and other responsibilities, Saturday and Sunday provide excellent opportunities to take a study break, grab a friend and get to the gym for a killer workout. With intramural fitness memberships reduced to half price for the rest of the semester, there is no better time to challenge yourself, get toned for Halloween and boost those endorphins.

If intramural facilities were open prior to 10:00 a.m., students could get up, get that workout in and relax knowing the rest of their day was free to do homework, hang out with friends or grab an age-appropriate beverage (or two, or three) without fear of the dreaded “freshman 15” or the sluggish feeling resulting from a weekend of apartment or dorm quarantine. MSU intramurals should take the advice of many of our political leaders into account, revaluate its student and faculty base and continue to encourage and foster physical fitness on campus.

Victoria Merritt is a State News guest columnist and political theory and constitutional democracy senior. Reach her at merrittv@msu.edu.