January is the beginning of a new year, and with that comes New Year’s Resolutions and fitness goals.
The Intramural Center and SRSC prepared for this influx of newcomers, as they are the only gym open on campus until Jan. 11 when the Student Recreational Sports Center reopens for the spring semester.
Exercising more is the most common New Year’s resolution, according to a survey conducted in 2018 by NPR and the Marist Poll.
Senior Emily Waggoner, who is studying dietetics, has worked at the Member Services Suite for two-and-a-half years. She said the amount of memberships purchased by community members begins to pick up in the first week of January and typically will not slow down until the first week of February.
To accommodate the increased interest in coming to the gym, the employees at both gyms will be on double coverage, meaning two workers will be at stations that typically only have one during the rest of the semester.
"I know it’s hard to make the change, so it makes me really proud to see people taking steps to better themselves," Waggoner said.
The SRSC offers multiple weekly classes that are free for students, such as Zumba, Barre Fitness and kettlebell strength.
The IC has multiple resources for students, such as 10 basketball and volleyball courts, nine racquetball courts and two multipurpose gyms.
Whitney Krause, fitness leader and personal trainer at the IC, said she is excited every year for the newcomers who are motivated by their fitness goals. She teaches mat Pilates and barre and said she makes an effort to offer modifications to all of her exercises so the classes are challenging for all participants.
“There is always a solution, never an excuse,” Krause said.
Krause said she focuses on being energetic and positive toward everyone in her classes so that everyone feels welcomed, regardless of their skill level.
Freshman Katherine Dahlin said she loves all of the different class choices offered so she can decide which ones to go to based on how she wants to train. She said her motivation for going to the gym is its effect on her mentality.
“I feel more productive throughout the day,” Dahlin said
