The student body and student-athletes alike now have brand new equipment to use in the weight room of the Capital Center. Over spring break, purple racks, new barbells, pull-up bars, benches, and other equipment were installed for student use, replacing some of the old equipment.
Sophomore Class Senator Nick Reade wrote the bill that brought about the additions to the weight room.
“We [the student government] passed a bill, allocated the money for, and did the research on what type of equipment we thought would be best for student use,” Reade said.
The addition of the new equipment has already alleviated much of the congestion in the weight room. It makes it easier for students to work-out alongside athletic teams at the same time.
“It is a lot easier for all the students that go to the Capital Center for a work-out,” Reade said. “[They’re] able to work-out without waiting for equipment to open up. Especially when one of the athletic teams comes in, it is easier for everybody to use all of the equipment.”
The new equipment was a long time coming, having been in the plans of the student government since 2014.
“We started working on the plan [for new equipment] in the fall,” said Reade. “We figured out which equipment we felt fit best with our weight room, and then we formulated a plan on what we wanted to buy. [We worked] with the athletic director, Dr. Bruning, and went from there.”
Very little equipment was replaced. However, some of the equipment damaged from overuse was removed to make room for the new equipment.
“Not much of the old equipment was removed, except for some of the incline benches that were falling apart,” Reade said. “The new benches that we brought in have warranties on them. So, by bringing in newer benches that have longer warranties on them, it definitely will be something good. If the new benches do get damaged, we can replace them or resurface them under the warranty.”
The student government felt that the timing for these additions and changes was appropriate.
“It was time to buy new equipment for the weight room, and we felt like it was something we, as the student government, should do,” Reade said.
Contrary to many rumors expressing otherwise, there is no current additional plans or changes in the works for the weight room.
“As of now, student government does not have any plans for any more changes in the weight room,” Reade said. “The student government has elections for next school year this week, so there is nothing else being planned for the weight room at this time.”
