At the start of each semester, students at Fairfield might struggle to maintain exercise habits amid new academic rigors. For those relying on the Fairfield University Recreation Complex to fulfill their exercise goals, the transition into colder months and return to school in January can seem particularly frustrating.
Brian Kabel, the Assistant Director in charge of facilities and events, gave some insight into the comparison of the crowds from this time last year. According to Kabel’s data, there has been an increase in usage by a little under 1,500 swipes into the facility as compared to this time last year. The peak times where the majority of the swipes have come from have been between 10am to 10pm.
The new year and new semester often bring new students into the facility seeking to begin their exercise journeys and routines. The crowding issue has become a prominent complaint for students who regularly use the RecPlex. While the facility offers many different machines and equipment for staying fit, it is hard to effectively work out in an environment that accommodates so many.
While crowding may be an issue, more treadmills have been added since the start of the fall semester to optimize space and recognize students’ favorite types of workouts. These replace the elliptical machines that used to inhabit the line behind the rest of the treadmills. The addition of these new treadmills has alleviated some of the crowding issues when people are waiting to use one of those machines.
As well as the machines on the upper levels, students have also found the dance studios too crowded on the lower level of the RecPlex. The dance studios offer spaces for students to do individual or group workouts using equipment, such as yoga mats, different types of weights, and more. However, students have found it difficult to complete physical activities or workout routines when the space is packed with people.
One student has significantly felt the effects of the crowds in the RecPlex. Sophomore Charlotte Black is a frequent gym-goer and has felt quite frustrated by the current situation because it has hindered her ability to fully participate in the workouts she typically completes in the facility.
“I felt kind of aggravated because when I went to the gym, everything was being used and the dance studios were so packed [that] the mirrors started fogging,” Black said.
This feeling is shared by many students who use the gym to achieve their fitness goals. Black even said she has tried to attend the RecPlex at different times of the day, but it remains extremely crowded. She finds this disheartening and stated that this recent experience has resulted in her wanting to find alternatives or simply not attending the gym anymore.
The group workout classes offered at the RecPlex have also proven to be somewhat crowded due to the number of students wanting to attend. Since the start of exercise classes this semester, they have filled up fast and have garnered different waitlist lengths depending on the class type and size. Recently, there have also been notices sent out about removing oneself from the class list if a person cannot attend at least an hour before the start of the class. According to ?, this is to help alleviate the waitlist lengths and allow students who can attend the exercise class to have the opportunity to do so.
While some students say the facility has reached new levels of attendance, it appears that it’s a typical trend that the staff has noticed over past semesters. Kabel also stated that treadmills and free weights are the two most popular items during peak times. The first six weeks are typically labeled as the busiest time of year for the RecPlex.
However, the challenges of crowds in this space during peak workout times have been apparent to many students.
Sophomore Olivia Foran hopes that the crowds will begin to let up as the weather warms and students can take their workouts outside. There have been some steps taken to ease some of the congestion, such as adding more treadmills, but the popularity of the gym at the start of the spring semester makes it difficult to completely reduce crowds. Despite frustrations, many students still find themselves going to the facility to exercise.
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