The Whittemore Center gets new Equipment
Durham- If you’ve been in the gym on the bottom floor of the Whitt in the last two weeks, you’ve probably noticed that the old equipment used there for the last several years has been replaced by shiny new machines.
All of the non-cardio machines on the left side of the gym opposite of the free weights has been replaced. Twenty six machines including 3 abdominal machines, a bicep machine, a tricep pushdown, several chest push machines, and numerous leg machines including a leg press have been included, and several new ones have been added.
David Leach, the assistant facilities director of the Whittemore center, whose worked there since 1990 offered further insight to the new machinery.
“Almost all of the machines being replaced were from either 1995 or 2000” Says Leach, “The equipment has a high level of use and, after a while, it costs more to repair than to replace, especially when you factor in safety concerns.” as he passes a payment plan to me, “We’ve been saving up for a while for these machines. This move has been for the students, an incentive to continue working out.”
“I like the new equipment” Says Saurabh Holia, an engineer major whose freshman at UNH from Boston. “The old ones didn’t have much grip. It felt like you weren’t getting the workout you want.”
A fan of the abdominal and shoulder machines Holia believes that working out is essential for all students, “It gives people a reason to get out of their rooms and do something, instead of being lazy and not doing anything.”
And he’s noticed a difference claiming to have seen many more people. Which has become a problem according to Holia, “It’s overly crowded now, they should add a new room or at least spread the machines out throughout the gym.”
But is new equipment a prudent investment for the University of New Hampshire? Holia believes, “It’s a good investment of money and is needed, but it could have been used on other things as well.”
Not everyone shares this tempered thought on the new equipment, “It could have been used for something else, adding more space, or even another gym for freshmen near Williamson and Christianson.” Says Carly Keafer an exercise science senior who works at the desk in the Whitt, “The gym’s too crowded as is and it needs to be spaced out.”
When asked about the crowding in the gym Leach agrees, “That’s up to the students to have their student senate to talk to the administration.” He then showed me Student Senate Resolution 32 from last year which states, “Whereas, overcrowding hinders students’ abilities to lead a healthy lifestyle…this has been an ongoing issue and has not been addressed yet, therefore be it resolved to strongly urge the administration to provide adequate recreational facilities to meet the demands of the student body.”
If you think that the over-crowding you should know that the first week of this semester saw 19,225 students attend the gym according to the Hamel Student Recreation Center Usage list, the largest amount of students to ever attend the Hamel center.
Clayton Ryer a geography senior from Newmarket who also works at desk in the gym offered some information about why the machines were upgraded, “The guy that runs this place likes to consistently upgrade the gym, and recently the machines have started to show some wear and tear so I think they felt like it was time.”
“The machines receive more overall use, plus the free weights don’t need as much maintenance.” Ryer went on to explain. He also showed me three new machines that have been considered favorites amongst students this year. The leg extender, which works out glutes. Standing calf, used for legs. And a Bravo adjustable machine capable of a plethora of workouts.
As for whether refitting the gym, Ryer seemed skeptical of the move nonchalantly stating “I guess when you get the chance to upgrade you take it.” The situation may be just as Saurabh Holia states, “Take care of one thing at a time, you might as well fix the gym now.”
No comments:
Post a Comment