Avoiding cold weather and saving a few bucks are a few of the advantages finance sophomore Collin Stauder listed when hearing the news of the neighborhood fitness centers reopening in the upcoming week.
“I’d like it because in the winter I wouldn’t have to walk to IM West since its so cold,” Stauder said.
“If I don’t have to pay for it, then I probably would do that anyway even if they didn’t have all the top-of-the-line equipment.”
Director of Residence Housing and Education Services or REHS, Kathy Collins announced at last week’s Residence Halls Association general assembly meeting the reopening of the free fitness centers later this week. Each neighborhood will have at least one free fitness center, although Collins could not say what day this week the centers officially will open.
The neighborhood fitness centers were closed during the fall semester while renovations were being made. The fitness centers are comparable to a typical hotel exercise room, Collins said.
“The students were asking for them, so I think that this is something that we wanted to provide,” Collins said.
“It’s a great way for students to get active and (it) is stress reducing, and I think it’s good to encourage students to take care of themselves.”
Neighborhood fitness centers will be located in Rather, Bailey, Akers, Hubbard, Holmes, Snyder-Phillips, Yakeley, Shaw and Holden halls, as well as Spartan Village. The fitness center in Butterfield Hall also will be remodeled when building renovations begin in May.
Each facility is open to student residents of their respective neighborhoods by swiping their MSU student IDs.
The renovations of the fitness centers included improving the facilities by adding cardio equipment, telephones and windows for emergencies, relocating some of the centers and instrumenting stronger cleaning and maintenance systems, REHS Assistant Director of Communications Ashley Chaney said.
This only is the first phase of the renovations for the fitness centers. The second phase, slated to begin this summer, includes new flooring, painting and equipment, Chaney added.
The reopening of a free alternative exercise source could potentially take away business from the Recreational Sports and Fitness Services’ facilities, but Rick McNeil, the department’s director, is excited to welcome back the fitness centers.
The free cardio-themed fitness centers aren’t comparable to what the IM facilities offer, he said.
“If you want a quick, limited workout in the residence hall then you can get that, but if you want more then you can go to the IM West (fitness center),” McNeil said.
“Win-win for the both of us.”
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