Workout woes
Written by Janae Hagen Friday, 05 February 2010 08:00
One month in and I’m remarkably surprised by the dedication 2010’s resolutionites have shown in the Wellness Center. Quite frankly, I’m getting a bit annoyed.
All of NDSU’s approximately 14,000 students pay the Wellness Center fee in their student activity fee, so we’re all equally entitled to our little plot of treadmill heaven in the Wallman Wellness Center.
However, not everyone takes advantage of that. For those of us who do, it gets a little frustrating when there’s suddenly a line for your favorite machine.
I came to NDSU right about the time the workout craze was really hitting campus. I remember feeling terrified freshman year walking into the old facility that was abuzz with construction crews building the addition.
It was my first time in a fitness center and I had no idea what to do. With some coaxing and lessons from my friends, Matt and Luke, my triceps started seeing the results from the funny-looking machines and my abs had a nice little tone. I was hooked.
Once the fancy new addition opened up, there was a sharp increase of students. Which was great – we all paid for it, we should use it. Plus, there’s no better way to stay sane during the semester than sweating out your stress.
That’s a huge part of why I’ve been such a devotee. Working out keeps me level headed and continues to allow me to avoid the “freshman 15.” It’s a win-win.
Each year I’ve watched the ebb and flow of gym rats – there is always a surge in the fall, which tapers off by mid-October. A huge surge of resolutionites at the start of spring semester, which typically die off about this time, and a mini-surge about two weeks before spring break (as if 14 days will get you bikini-ready).
The surges are always frustrating. I’m one of those people who must work out alone; I don’t do well with the buddy system. The gym is the one place where I can be anti-social.
That’s why for the past two years I’ve been dedicated to 6:30 a.m. workouts – it’s great, we’re a small community of dedicated sleepy heads who love to get our day started off right. Plus, the panoramic view of the sunrise is pretty fantastic.
Sadly, my schedule this semester doesn’t bode well for morning sit-ups, so I have to go in the dreaded afternoon or evening. Last week I left after only 30 minutes of the chaos – I barely broke a sweat!
It’s so discouraging trying to find a spot to do sit-ups or snatch a free elliptical when the place is packed. And it’s downright disgusting when people don’t realize that the spray bottles and rags are there so you can clean up after yourself.
Despite my cynicism, I am thrilled with the fitness craze sweeping campus. It’s a healthy habit that more people should develop – especially students – because of our stress-prone lifestyles.
I still secretly wish, with the fresh crop of new gym goers, that there were some way to reserve an elliptical or sit-up square whenever I wanted one, just as a little “thank you” for wellness veterans.
Janae is a senior studying journalism.
