By Rowan Behm
The Scene staff
A new fitness center has opened on the Forest Park campus, giving students, faculty and staff an opportunity to get fit and healthy.
And it’s free.
The center is on the first floor of the physical education building. It’s stocked full of Matrix-brand fixed-motion machines, such as treadmills, ellipticals and upright bikes. A second room is dedicated to free weights.
“Before it opened up, I was only really doing pushups, sit-ups or other calisthenics at my home,” said cybersecurity major Joshua Meyer, 27, who works part time at the center.
“I didn’t have a gym membership. This facility has good-quality equipment. I work out every day at the end of my shift.”
The center is managed by Facility Supervisor Kirk Martin. He’s particularly fond of the ceiling-to-floor windows that line the exterior wall, letting in plenty of natural light.
The former fitness center lacked windows. It was replaced by the new child-care center, which opened last fall.
“People have been asking about a new fitness center for a while, and no plans were ever solidified,” Martin said. “Once we did this remodel (of the physical education building), they decided to open it up.”
The fitness center can be used by St. Louis Community College faculty, staff and students who are currently enrolled in classes. They need only complete a 15-minute online training via Canvas and sign a digital waiver.
“Hopefully in the near future will be open to STLCC alumni,” Martin said.
News of the fitness center is spreading gradually. Biotechnology major Morgan Mitchell, 26, just found out about it a couple weeks ago.
“Its location is a lot more convenient for me,” she said. “I can come here from class instead of leaving campus to go to a gym.”
The fitness center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Hours can be found on the door. If anything comes up that requires a change, that will be posted.
Martin noted that the college is looking to hire more lifeguards for the campus pool, which also is in the physical education building.
“We currently only have one lifeguard position filled, and that student has been out for medical reasons,” he said. “This leaves the pool closed.”
If you’re interested in using the new fitness center or applying for a lifeguard position at the pool, look for QR code posted around the physical education building or links posted on STLCC’s social-media sites. Some students are using the new fitness center not only for health and fitness, but also for relaxation.
“It’s nice and quiet,” said physical therapy assistant major Ben Scott, 19. “It’s nice to work out here for a break and to focus on bettering myself physically.”