The Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex opened to a new setup in the fall semester following a survey that was sent to students in spring of 2022.
Included in the change was the removal of underused cardio equipment in the former cardio room to make room for weight equipment. The exercise spaces were previously used as cardio and weight rooms separately.
“The cardio room was far underutilized,” Cory Chapman, senior associate athletic director of the AARC, said. “(But) you went to the weight room and it was full.”
The survey last spring asked students what the AARC could improve on, according to Chapman.
After observing the survey results, changes were implemented. The change was announced on OneStThomas in September, which left some students disappointed with a lack of acknowledgement of other issues in the workout center.
“I have been discouraged from working out at the AARC (after the changes),” sophomore Tara Johnson wrote to TommieMedia via email. “It’s always filled with people now since they moved the weight equipment and cardio equipment to the same room.”
As for student athletes, St. Thomas junior and tennis player Courtney Wedin enjoyed the change.
“Having that space just for us has been really nice,” Wedin said. “We can focus on us and not have to worry about having non-student athletes take our stuff that we might have had to wait for last year.”
Despite Wedin’s comment, both rooms are still open to traditional students and student-athletes.
Wedin said that the change allowed for priority to be given to student athletes in the larger weight room.
As for crowding at peak times during the day, Chapman encouraged students to utilize the AARC’s workout reservation system, IM Leagues, to reserve a time at the gym. Chapman also encouraged students who miss the former cardio room to use McCarthy Gym on South Campus.
“We have relocated quite a few of those cardio pieces out into the hallway up by the racquetball courts,” Chapman said.
Chapman said he hopes to continue to listen to student feedback and make adjustments as needed.
“We want to make the experience better for all,” Chapman said.
Anya Capistrant-Kinney can be reached at capi2087@stthomas.edu.
Francesca Sartor contributed to this report.