January 27, 2012

By Megan Lewis

With the beginning of the year and an abundance of New Year’s resolutions, January — or at least, the beginning of it — is a time when getting fit is a priority in the minds of many.

Recreation Services and Facilities Director Diane Dahlmann said other factors contribute to the larger numbers of students fluctuating throughout the state-of-the-art workout facility during the winter.

“We find that with our students in particular, the beginning of the semester is a good time for a new set of resolutions,” Dahlmann said.

Dahlmann said TigerX the number of memberships for group exercise classes are stronger than they were at this same time last year. ZouLife is staying busy as well, with personal training services booming. Last week alone, MU students spent $2,000 on personal training services at the recreation complex.

Between Friday, Jan. 13 and Thursday, Jan. 19, approximately 26,000 students crossed the threshold of the recreation complex. During the same time period last year, the number was 25,400 students. Dahlmann said this increase could depend on a number of outside factors — maybe the weather was worse this year, which forced students inside, or maybe people are simply feeling energetic.

Dahlmann said January through March are generally the busiest time of the year for the recreation center.

“We have a very strong participation on a daily basis,” Dahlmann said. “Up until spring break is when we see our largest number of participants. Part of this is because of the weather.”

She said the desire for the perfect “beach bod” on spring break may contribute to this, but she suspects the colder temperatures are what bring on the students in droves.

“Nice 50 degree days are generally less crowded,” said Dahmann.

On these days, students opt to spend their free time outside, whether playing ultimate frisbee on the quad or participating in club sports on Stankowski Field.

During the coldest months of the year, students have limited options, so the recreation center frequently comes out on top.

“It’s a lot more crowded than it was before break,” freshman Michael Mattie said, who spends four to five days a week in the weight lifting facilities.

Freshman Michael Hoover, a frequent visitor to the complex, had no complaints with the larger numbers, except that occasionally students have to wait a little for the machines.

“I generally go late at night to try to avoid the large crowd,” Hoover said.

The day of the week also plays a large part in predicting the amount of exercisers. On average, the slowest day is Saturday, Dahmann said. An estimated 820 students show up on Saturday. Tuesday and Wednesday are the busiest days of the week with around 6,300 visitors each day.