The Sandspur

Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Life & Times

Media Credit: Dani Picard

Media Credit: Dani Picard

Media Credit: Dani Picard

You may have heard the news. You may have not. And, frankly, you may just not care. But what has sent me jumping up and down like an utter idiot these past few days? A note discretely placed at the entrance of the Alfond Sports Center on campus. I am about to reveal the secret that nobody seems to have heard of yet: the gym has extended its opening hours!

Sure, you would have been more enticed had I told you there were a few more surprise Fox Days coming your way this week, or that all final exams had been dropped (I, personally, am still hoping), but listen up because this really is great news. For a large percentage of Rollins students, exercise is a vital part of the day. In fact, as a sample survey of one hundred students reveals, eighty-five percent of undergraduates at Rollins are using the gym in their own free time, because of the PE requirement or their involvement in varsity and/or intramural sports. Not too shabby for a nation in which, according to a recent government report, only one in five adults get moderate to intense physical exercise on a regular basis.

It may seem contradictory that people our age are in need of a little bit of additional strength training and aerobic activity, but given the lures of college life-- must I really mention 2 a.m. pizza delivery and free cookies galore-- especially at a place as small as Rollins, where walking to class is sure to burn a proud total of approximately zero calories, this is the prime time to balance occasional sins with the formation of healthy habits that will last you a lifetime. So, read up about what the gym is doing for you, and head over there, until a splendid 1 a.m. on weekdays!

Either that, or you could bargain on scoring a job as the next fat actress and hope the money makes it to your pocket before your cholesterol makes it to the main artery, or some self respect knocks on your door and you realize that exploding twenty dress sizes upward is not an achievement to be celebrated.

But enough of the bashing of dreary reality TV. If you still feel inclined to watch some once-semi-famous person embarrass themselves on national television, I would not want to interfere. In fact, there is no better place to do that than at the gym. Of course, it may be you who is embarrassed in the end when you cannot stop laughing despite the obvious lack of general audio and the other students whostand perplexed at your convulsive laughter. At least you will be relieving some stress and enjoying the efforts Rollins is offering up to its students.

In addition to the extended opening hours, a third elliptical machine has recently been added. If you've been sitting around your dorm room and using the excuse that the gym is too crowded to be worth your time, get back in gear because the Alfond Sports Center has started to cater to your needs. In fact, fifty-six percent of students list too crowded facilities as the number one turn-off to exercise, while a further twenty-six percent indicated that the opening hours used to conflict with their schedules. Looks like those problems have been solved! If, however, you are one of the forty-eight percent who just cannot seem to find the time though you want to go to the gym, then there is no pleasing you now, is there? Just kidding.

I am the epitome of procrastination and thus feel your pain. Finals week is creeping up and here I am lecturing you about going to the gym...Truth is, though, you're likely to find something else to distract yourself from studying anyway, so you might as well hit the Sports Center now while it is nice and empty. And don't fret, even if you have never gone before; all you need to do is ask for a little help. People, in general, won't bite. If you're still leery of weights crushing your legs, grab a book, get on that bike, or take a walk on the treadmill when it's raining outside. You'll have plenty of time to hang out at Club Olin later-- this time of the year there's a V.I.P. list anyway. Getting in without getting trampled on is an ordeal enough. Forget about getting a table.

All lame jokes aside, though, I urge you to embrace the changes that have been made. I can complain all I want about the money that is spent on landscaping, but there is no doubt that Rollins has been listening to what its students want.

Through efforts by SGA --Thank you!-- and the attention to signatures collected for new equipment at the gym, which obviously spoke loudly- with over sixty percent of survey respondents clearly viewing this option as the easiest way to improve overall quality, a big step has been taken to show that the voice of the students does matter. While the survey revealed several other requests, ranging from the addition of a full indoor track to the creation of miniature work-out facilities in each of the dorms that could be available 24/7, which may not be financially viable, it is clear that Rollins does care about more than just attracting new students and looking presentable. While there are no outrageous machines, indoor swimming pools, squash courts or other staples of grandeur, for a school the size of Rollins, I've got to admit we're pretty spoiled with regards to the gym.

Nonetheless, if you've got an 8 a.m. class or internship or anything else that somehow puts you in touch with the daily cycle not required of a typical college student, do not fret. While I cannot miraculously make extended opening hours be of any use to you, there are specific times during the day at which you will get through your work-out most efficiently. There is nothing worse than finally shuffling free an hour to exercise, only to find a forty-five minute wait on all your favorite machines. So, take notice: Unless you are going to the gym solely on the intention of socializing, avoid that place like the plague between 3 and 5 p.m. The survey results show that one-fourth of all students working out at the gym over the course of a day do so within those two little hours. This is bound to make you unhappy about the availability.

Another favorite on the complainer's list: the air being too hot. Plan on going between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., preferably right before everyone else heads off to lunch, if there is any way you can squeeze your exercise in. Only twelve percent of all exercisers occupy the gym in those four hours, which means you will practically have complete access to machines, can choose your TV stations and blast your music as loud as imaginable without disturbing many others. Then again, if you're there to people watch, you'll hate me for the advice, and should probably stick with the library for now.

No matter how much we all complain, Rollins has just stepped it up a notch. Lastly, let us not forget, as Matt Moore, the Rollins Club Ice Hockey goalie comments, that the Harold & Ted Alfond Sports Center really is "a good gym... It could use a bit more equipment, ...and perhaps an ice rink." Maybe next year, Matt. Until then, I'll keep using what we've got, and love it.

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