Students who returned to campus this semester with the dream of getting in shape quickly found that they were not alone, as Cousens gym is experiencing a high demand for its fitness equipment. The Lunder Fitness Center has had record-high usage over the past few months, and many students are frustrated by the long lines for machines and general overcrowding in the gym.
Student complaints center on the inadequate number of cardiovascular machines, the small size of the facility, and the use of the gym by varsity sports teams during peak hours.
"It's always overcrowded and it's always a problem to have to wait in line and be cramped. It makes it harder to enjoy your workout," said freshman Leslie Wang, who uses the gym four times a week.
A record 1,300 people visited the Fitness Center in a single day earlier this month, and the semester's average is in the 500-600 range. But the overcrowding is consistent with an annual trend, and should soon taper off, according to Mike Pimentel, director of the Fitness Center.
"This is a phenomenon that happens every year. I guess it's what you could call the 'New Year's Resolutes,'" he said. "We get close to a 25 percent increase for about two months." he said.
The Fitness Center features 30 aerobic machines, including steppers, rowers, bikes, elliptical trainers, and treadmills, along with strength equipment, including 35,000 pounds of free weights. While students say that there is an adequate variety of equipment, many complain about the quantity of machines.
"I know a lot of people are thinking about joining private gyms because it's ridiculous. People even get into fights over these machines," senior Sheryl Amoroso said.
Some people have altered their workout schedules to avoid the long lines. "Because of my schedule, 4-6 p.m. is a good time to work out, but you can't get a machine then and you sit and waste your time walking around," sophomore Leah Rosales said. "I have to rearrange my schedule."
When the Fitness Center was built almost eight years ago, it was one of the largest of its kind among similarly sized institutions. But Americans have since become more health conscious, and the needs of Tufts' student body have changed. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 23 percent of Americans engage in some form of physical activity at least three times a week. Tufts students are no exception - in fact, the Fitness Center is one of the most widely used resources on campus.
At popular workout times, there is not enough equipment to accommodate all the visitors to the gym, according to Athletic Director Bill Gehling. "When we have a large, attractive fitness center, like we do, people want to use it. The problem is that they all try to use it at the same time," he said.
Remedying the overcrowding problem is not easy, say some administrators, and expanding the Fitness Center would be costly. "If it were my decision to make, I'd probably double the size of the center and it would still be the busiest place on campus," Pimentel said. "We're always open to suggestions, but obviously there are financial considerations."
Pimentel and Gehling are looking into more creative possibilities, such as putting a quasi-balcony on the gym, putting aerobic machines in dorms, or even creating a separate location for varsity athletes to work out.
In the mean time, however, students will have to wait their turn to work out. "Fortunately, I think fitness has become more important to a larger segment of our community. It's a good problem," Gehling said.
