Students work out off campus

By Maille Bennett

Some students are going off-campus to workout at commercial gyms, saying there are too many restrictions at the college gym when they want to workout.

Pieces of equipment are off-limits due to social distancing rules, cardio equipment is now in the Field House, hours are reduced, and there is a monitor at the college gym to make sure there aren’t too many people working out.

“I got a gym membership off campus at the beginning of this year because I didn’t know when I would be able to go to the gym. I also like the fact that they are cleaning all equipment after use unlike here on campus where students are responsible for cleaning the equipment. I just trust my gym more.” Meghan Doherty, a Senior, said.

Due to social distancing rules, there is less equipment available for use and the spaces where people can work out are marked out to reinforce social distancing. Marked spaces indicate that only a few people can be in at a time. The spaces are marked off by tape and all the equipment in one area is based on the workout the students are performing.

Commercial gyms also have new social distancing rules but some students say it is worth going off campus.

“My gym is so much nicer, I feel more comfortable, and the gym supplies me with far more differentiated machines that I can use. The AC is also stronger in my gym. Personally, I feel as though they clean my gym far more than the one here on campus. Students I feel would not take it as seriously as someone whose job it actually is to take care of a gym,” Yara Nassif, a senior, said.

After using equipment, people must wipe it down and re-rack it as it was before use.

“It’s more convenient to be on campus and I think it is safer to go on campus than my gym at home. I know Stonehill is doing a great job at keeping their facilities clean and safe as they follow all protocols regarding COVID-19. I feel safer on campus,” Megan Duffy, another senior, said.

Cardio equipment is now available in the Field House, lifting equipment is still in the same area, just less equipment due to the need of social distancing. On the upper level of the gym there is equipment for upper body workouts and leg workouts that are spaced out to adhere to the social distancing rules.

To enforce social distancing, every time someone goes into the gym or sports complex as a whole, they must scan their Hill card at the front desk.