Wide-open exercise space

“The beach may be crowded, but the classrooms are not” is a common theme around Weber State University’s campus this summer, and this applies even to the Stromberg/Swenson Gym.

During the fall and even more so during the spring, the gym is one of the more popular utilities for student use on campus. However, the gym is not used nearly as much during the summer.

A few theories exist as to why fewer students attend the gym during the summer. Enrollment at WSU is much lower during the summer semester than the fall and spring semesters, so few students are on campus. Also, students may be able to accomplish their exercise routines underneath the summer sun.

“The attendance is definitely lower during the summer, as a result of the low number of students at WSU,” said Teri Bladen, director of Campus Recreation. “Last year 6,118 student went to the gym during the summer semester, with 9,740 during the fall and 14,050 for the spring semester.”

Due to the low numbers of students in the summer, the gym’s administration has focused on promoting the facility.

Several new programs have been and are being designed for the summer semester. The new programs include gym orientations and drop-in exercise groups, which have proven to be some of the most popular activities put on by Campus Recreation, according to Bladen.

For many students, the wide variety of activities available at the gym is enough to get them to work out.

“My favorite part of the gym is that there are so many different weights,” said Megan Geister, a sophomore at WSU majoring in psychology. “I like to run (at the gym) as well. I used to run for Clearfield High.”

Bladen said Campus Recreation is constantly improving and refining the gym area. Two years ago, the academic building of the Stromberg Complex was remodeled, and last year the gym partnered with the Health and Human Performance Department and invested in new strength equipment.

Campus Recreation also added an indoor climbing wall and education classes within the halls of the gym over the last few years.

Some students, however, are hoping the gym will simply get back to the basics.

“We need new dumbbells,” said Willie Harris, a sophomore majoring in technical sales, “particularly the (dumbbells) that are heavier then 90 pounds.”

The Stromberg/Swenson Gym is open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday. On Friday it is open from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.