2008 Woodie Awards
RSSTaylor loses out to more flexible gyms
By Samantha Burns
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Lifestyle
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You choose 4 p.m. from the drop menu of times and are discouraged to find that the best machines are unavailable.
You now must either settle for an old machine or rearrange your schedule to work out at a different time.
Many students say they prefer other gyms in the area with more flexible times and newer equipment to Lehigh's Taylor Gymnasium.
Spending money on a gym membership may seem impractical when Lehigh offers a free gym for fitness and recreation, but many students say they are unsatisfied with the quality and availability of cardiovascular machines and free weights.
Annie Grossinger, '08, joined Steel Fitness, on 15 W. Second St., because she couldn't bring herself to wake up at 8 a.m. to sign up for a time to use a cardio machine.
"Even though I liked the atmosphere at Taylor Gym, it was just too hard to get a machine," Grossinger said.
Signing up online in advance for a cardio machine is a new policy this fall, but many upperclassmen have already made the switch to a private gym.
"I don't like the setup, making appointments, or the half-hour time limit you're allowed," Pam Kim, '09 said. "I don't like when it's crowded and I feel like everyone stares at me when I'm working out."
But there have been positive opinions about the new online sign ups, which keep people coming back to Taylor Gym. Danielle Nappi, '10, goes to Lehigh's gym four to five times a week and said the online sign ups have been convenient. She tries to go when it's less crowded in the morning or when students swarm the gym around four o'clock after classes.
Graduate students Tim Guider and Patrick McMollen both said they exercise at Taylor Gym because it has all of the equipment they need, but said that scheduling a time for a treadmill is inconvenient.
"You don't always know what time you want to work out," Guider said.
