Students raise concerns that the fitness center does not meet their needs, especially the cardio section.
“I stopped going to the gym because they don’t have enough treadmills,” said Sophia Ghegan, ’26.
The 9,000-square-foot fitness center includes 10 treadmills, 11 ellipticals, 11 bikes and two Stairmaster machines. There are currently 2,243 students enrolled at W&L. Faculty and staff also have access to the space.
As the winter approaches, this is increasingly relevant because some rely on treadmills to avoid running in the cold temperatures outside.
Students said that when they went to the gym, especially during busy times, they were unable to find an open treadmill. Some said this discouraged them from going entirely.
When asked about the wait times for treadmills, Patti Colliton, the fitness center manager, encouraged students to come at different times of the day.
“Don’t come at 5. Whatever gym you go to, anywhere in the world, is packed at 5,” Colliton said. “We are open at 6 in the morning and 10 at night, is 5 the only time you can come?”
Assistant Director of Athletics Communications Matt Eaker said that even in the morning, treadmills are often not available. “I know it is frustrating. I know students’ schedules are busy, but we have people who will stand by a treadmill when all of them are being used and they watch and wait. Meanwhile, every other cardio machine is open,” said Colliton.
According to a study done by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, ellipticals are comparable alternatives to treadmills, based on oxygen consumption and energy expenditure.
Treadmills closely mimic the natural walking or running process and can be good for building bone density, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Ellipticals are low impact, so they can be a good option for someone who wants to reduce stress on their joints or is recovering from an injury
When asked what their preferred cardio equipment was, most students said the treadmill and some said the stationary bike.
Mackenzie Moore, ’27, is a member of the women’s cross-country team. She said she uses the treadmills when she can’t run outside and the stationary bikes to cross-train and supplement her running.
Additional exercise equipment is located in the third-year village fitness center. That location is run by student affairs and is not affiliated with the fitness center in the Richard L. Duchossois Athletic and Recreation Center. It is unregulated, so everything is at students’ own risk, but there are two treadmills, two ellipticals and one stationary bike, in addition to limited strength training machines and other equipment.
The most recent renovations on the fitness center in the DARC happened in 2020, with the addition of the varsity strength training section. There are currently no plans to expand the fitness center, according to Colliton.
University students are insufficiently physically active, due to balancing busy schedules of academics, work and social demands, according to a study done by BMC Public Health. Access to exercise equipment is crucial for students’ physical and mental health, stress management and sleep.
No matter what equipment a student chooses to use, studies have shown that physical activity improves physical and mental health among university students and is linked to increased academic performance.
