Sweaty bodies and anxious faces

Spring break, the vacation that seems so elusive during the cold of winter and the stress of midterms, is finally approaching. As Tufts students prepare for the week away from campus, many are yearning -- and planning -- for warmer weather. For these students, it's time to strip off those down jackets and break out those swimsuits that are covered in dust. Before students head to the beach, however, many want to shed some unwanted pounds.

Every year, during the last weeks before spring break, hundreds of students flock to the gym eager to get in shape. This year, however, more students have been hitting the treadmills.

Athletic trainer Greg Katz believes that the increase in gym goers is due to a rising trend in people's concern over fitness. "There's been a huge increase in the [fitness] program in both the personal training end and the gym in general," Katz said.

The gym craze escalated upon returning from winter break when students were determined to keep their New Year's resolutions. "The entire semester has been more exercise focused than I've seen in the past," Katz said. "Originally I thought it was because of New Year's resolutions and it would taper off -- but it didn't.

Freshman Elif Erez agreed that these past few weeks have been extra-hectic. "After the break it was so crowded that I couldn't find any machine," said Erez, who works out daily. "For midterms it wasn't so bad but it started being crowded again because people want to get in shape for the break."

Senior Adrian Clarke, head supervisor at the fitness center, has also noticed a dramatic increase in students working out. "It's starting to get packed again. I was there at seven in the morning and there were already like 50 people there."

In order to minimize waiting time for the ever popular cardio machines, the gym accumulated five new treadmills and five new ellipticals as part of a generous donation over winter break. Trainers have also set the machines so no users can go above 30 minutes. "But you can still just start working out again after 30 minutes is finished," Clarke said "So that's a problem, but it has helped to discourage students from abusing the system."

Despite the 30 minute cut-off Erez remains frustrated when waiting for an elliptical. "Most people don't care about limits on machines," Erez said.

Many students, having never previously ventured into the fitness center, are also trying to break a sweat. Exchange student Marion Fabing wants to lose a few pounds before returning home. "I've put on a little weight with all the junk food in America," Fabing said in response to why she picked this past Monday as her first trip to the gym.

Sophomore Erika Perdomo also recently began working out in preparation to returning to her hometown of Miami over spring break. "I'm just trying to do a lot of physical activities," she said. "I want to get back in shape."

Although many students believe that working out right before spring break will alter their winter bellies into beach-worthy abs, getting in noticeably good shape is more of a long-term project.

"In two weeks you're not really gonna see results unless you're taking steroids or something ridiculous," trainer Katz said. "It's a process -- there's no transforming your body over night."

But it never hurts to start. To avoid the rush at the gym, Clarke recommends going early in the morning or late at night. "The worst time is between three and seven," Clarke said. "If you can go before 9:30 in the morning or after 8 [o'clock in the evening] it's the best time to go because most people don't want to get up that early and after dinner people don't like working out."

Graduate student Adam Carberry takes Clarke's advice and only works out after 9 p.m. "It's really crowded during the day," Carberry said. "If I come at night, I never have to wait for anything."

Fitness center director Mike Pimentel believes that the only solution to the overcrowding problem would be to add additional space to the fitness center. "There's been plans for years now to put in a balcony," he said.

While this plan does not look probable for the near future, Pimentel is receptive to ideas. "I would be open to listening to students if they have suggestions for new systems," Pimentel said. "I would love to see something that keeps students happy -- but it's been a challenge."