For those students looking to get in shape this summer, there are plenty of options available to suit everyone’s needs.
Most students are fully aware of the University Student Recreational Complex. But, while the UREC may be one of the more convenient options, many students are turning to 24-hour fitness centers for the benefit of unlimited hours, limited waiting and short contracts.
“A lot of students say they want to join [Anytime Fitness] because the Rec is always so packed,” said Robyn Hamilton of Anytime Fitness on Highland Road. “You always have to wait, there’s nowhere to park and they close too early. Here you don’t have that problem. It’s open 24 hours a day so people can come when they want.”
Most 24-hour fitness centers are always locked, except during business hours, and are accessed with keycards only given to members.
Other benefits of 24/7 fitness centers include flexible contract policies and membership. Most 24-hour fitness centers will offer short contracts for those who may only need short-term access to the facility. Customers can also join on a month-to-month basis, if they so choose. Most 24-hour fitness centers, including Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness, also allow access to any location when becoming a member.
Snap Fitness on Lee Drive is one of many 24-hour fitness center offering month-to-month membership.
“You don’t have to sign a contract, and you can cancel at anytime,” Gina Stonich, manager of Snap Fitness said. “College kids come and go; they can come for one or two months then cancel the membership. Once you’re a member of one Snap, you’re a member of all of the Snaps in the United States.”
Some students simply do not enjoy fighting the crowds for machines at the UREC.
“Our busiest time is between 4:30 and 8 p.m,” said Scott Belanger, coordinator of marketing and public relations at the UREC. “That is when you’re going to see peak usage in the facility. There’s going to be more people in the cardio area, tennis courts, and our basketball courts are usually full.”
Many 24-hour fitness centers are able to avoid big crowds completely with their 24-hour availability.
“Our busiest time of the day is between 4 and 6:30,” Hamilton said. “But it’s open 24 hours a day so we never have that big crowd that makes you have to wait on machines.”
Stonich said the most common complaints she gets from students regard the UREC being overcrowded and closed on holidays.
“Here, it’s never overcrowded at any one time,” Stonich said. “Snap is known for being fast, convenient, and affordable. A lot of people like Snap because it’s smaller, more intimate and not overpowering, especially for women.”
Andy Wilton is an University alumnus who uses Snap Fitness.
“It’s less crowded, and it gives me time when I want to work out at night,” Wilton said. “I usually work during the day so I come after work, and it’s not as much of a hassle as the Rec.”
However, the UREC does have many services that are not available at many 24-hour fitness centers including a gymnasium, racquetball courts, a pool and a 1/8 mile indoor track. The Outdoor Field Complex includes tennis courts, sand volleyball courts and fields that can be used for softball and football.
Students James and Steven de Brueys still go to the UREC despite what 24-hour fitness centers have to offer.
James de Brueys, psychology major, said he uses the UREC because the expenses are included in tuition and it is close to home.
“It seems like there is a lot more stuff to do at the Rec with the basketball courts and tennis courts,” said Steven de Brueys, business management major. “You can do a lot more stuff here than the usual workout center.”
Summer hours for the UREC are: 5:45 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday- Thursday, 5:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday and noon- 8 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday. UREC hours will be extended in the fall.
—-Contact Tyler Harvey at [email protected]