College offers free fitness lab
Touching All Bases
By Bobby Moore
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Sports Columnist
A few weeks ago, I finally decided that I need to start exercising.
I know that exercise will make me feel better and will benefit my health in the long run, but as an average college student I had to ask two questions.
The first question was when will I have time? This question often arises, but I always find the time for things that are important.
The second, more pressing question was how much will it cost? College students are not always known for making much money or saving, so this was a potential stumbling block in my quest for fitness.
I decided to call the local YMCA to answer that question. I was told that I could get a 3 month student membership for $80 or I could sign up for a one year membership for $325.
Those may not be outrageous prices to some, but to me that is more than I have to spend. It is already very expensive to be me without the addition of another bill.
Defeated by my empty pockets, I suddenly remembered that my brother had a weight bench in our storage shed.
Unfortunately, the bench is seemingly intended for very short people. I have no problem at all with short people, but they can keep their exercise equipment because it is not going to help me at all.
Also, I had better not risk bumping anything against the new wallpaper in my family's den. I know I am supposed to be careful while exercising, but accidents will happen and, as my second question insinuates, I cannot afford to be run out of my house.
A friend having the same dilemma showed me the weight room at a local college, and it was not very impressive to me at all. I guess private colleges only update their weight rooms every other decade. I quickly decided that I needed a different option.
Finally, I found my last glimmering ray of hope. I remembered the Georgia Highlands College fitness lab which I visited when I took PHED 1010.
The fitness lab had everything I needed: weights, exercise machines and treadmills. It also answered my two questions because I have plenty of spare time on campus and the fitness lab is free for all students, staff, faculty and alumni.
I realize that people who know more about exercise equipment than I do probably think that places like the YMCA are better, but I doubt they can find enough superior equipment to justify spending $325.
The FC fitness lab is accessible, it has nice equipment and, more importantly, it is free if you have a student ID.
Also, the fitness lab is open Monday through Friday, allowing students to plan a five-day workout routine.
My only problem now is that I am out of excuses. This semester is the perfect time to keep up my exercise plan so I will not wear myself out riding my bicycle around the West Georgia campus next fall.
I highly recommend the fitness lab to all students, especially those of us who do not want to spend our pizza money at the YMCA.
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