The Spur

Issue date: 1/25/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Andrew Stoll Mary Sorbiech, a junior math education student, uses one of the new elliptical machines in the Fitness Center. Maren Larson, the director of Health Services, also uses the new exercise equipment. The Fitness Center opened at 1:30 p.m. Jan 23, in the old food service room.

Southwest Minnesota State University's former cafeteria, also known as Mustang Terrace, now has a new look. Instead of tables and chairs, elliptical machines and treadmills stand ready for use by students and faculty.

The Fitness Center opened at 1:30 pm Jan. 23. Along with free t-shirts and snacks for the first 100 people, many of the staff was available for questions and to show people around.

"The goal of the new fitness center is to create a safe, comfortable environment where anyone can workout or lift," said Fitness Center Director Kari Loft.

Loft went to several different fitness centers and schools to get ideas on what type of center would best fit the needs of the students and faculty at SMSU. When Loft went to the other fitness centers, she noticed what equipment was the most popular and received the greatest amount of use. With this knowledge, Loft, along with her mentee, planned the facility.

"We didn't want equipment around that people won't use," Loft said.

The new Fitness Center has four elliptical machines, one stationary bike, four treadmills, free weights, nautilus equipment, and three exercise balls available.

In order to make sure the equipment is properly used, all staff members have been trained on all pieces of equipment.

"If I saw someone using a piece of equipment incorrectly, I would definitely go talk to them because I don't want anyone to get hurt," said senior Tiffany Kogler, a student worker.

Also, to help get students and faculty trained correctly on the machines, Drew Bouwman, the SMSU Fitness Center Intern, will be having equipment orientation Jan. 23-27.

As with all fitness centers, there are rules to follow. First of all, one must have their SMSU I.D. to use the facility. This is to prevent non-SMSU students and faculty from using the facilities without paying. An added bonus of this practice is that Loft will be able to keep track of the use of the facility and make any adjustments accordingly.

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