Central State University has opened a new gym on the first floor of the recently opened Marauder Community Residence Hall. The gym opened Feb. 21, 2020. It includes a workout area and a dance studio.
Senior Markia Durr lives in the new residence hall and is excited to be able to workout after classes. “I love the new gym,” she said. “My friends and I go to it almost every day, and we have really enjoyed using all the new equipment.” Durr said that the gym is typically packed around 7 p.m., though there are a lot of people in the gym at all times. “The gym is a great addition, but I wish it was a little bit bigger. Sometimes there are too many people in there,” she said.
Junior Zaria Brown, who is also a resident of the Marauder Community, said she has not gone to the gym yet, but plans to workout there in the future. “I have passed by the gym in between classes, and it looks great!” Brown said.
Brown said the gym will allow students to workout between classes and will be good for students who don't own vehicles to go to off campus gyms. “It really adds value for students who live on campus,” Brown said.
Jakiya Bethune is one of the coordinators of the new fitness facility. Bethune hopes that students will be more motivated to start an exercise routine now that there is a gym close to the residence halls. “The size of the gym is also more welcoming to beginners,” she said. “I feel it will be more appealing to students who are just beginning to workout.”
Bethune said that the gym is not completely finished and that it will add equipment added over time. She said that the gym is part of the new Wellness Center, which includes classroom space for the Health and Human Performance Department.
The gym is open to all Central State students, as well as outside students and the surrounding community. “Central State students must present their student ID before using equipment. People outside of the university must get a membership plan to use the gym,” Bethune said.