The recent construction over the summer of the Tim Scovanner ‘11 Pavilion has led to the relocation of CrossFit and weightlifting classes. Returning members who were used to the blasting music, workout rig, climbing rope and outdoor equipment now have to squeeze into a small space in the fitness center shared with all the other students and athletes.
CrossFit is an intense workout that conditions a person’s strength, stamina, and flexibility using components from Olympic lifting, powerlifting, and cardio.
Head of the CrossFit class and certified fitness trainer, Luke Hudson, senior international relations & global affairs and political science major said an open space is needed to achieve all of these elements effectively. Training outside, rather than in a gym, assisted this judgment-free zone in which everyone was able to feel comfortable with their exercises.
“I was able to scream and yell and do all the fun things that you see in boot camp style classes,” Hudson said.
Through the help of ECOS and Campus Recreation last spring, he was able to purchase thousands of dollars worth of new equipment such as medicine balls, barbells and dumbbells which were supposed to turn the pavilion into a real outdoor gym. However, with the construction underway, all the equipment was shipped to the fitness center.
“The new equipment wasn’t just for my CrossFit class, it was also for the students who liked to workout outside,” Hudson said.
CrossFit meets three times a week and has a conjoined session on Fridays with the weightlifting class led by fitness trainer Madyson Woodburn, senior in biology. These sessions have created a variety of exercises in which students of one class can learn techniques from the other that apply to their overall fitness improvement.
“CrossFit is very multifaceted in what you do, whereas weightlifting I like to focus on mind-muscle connection, how to do certain lifts, and what muscles should be working at the same time,” Woodburn said.
One of the major issues within the fitness center is the lack of space. Even though CrossFit and weightlifting classes have a designated workout section, there have still been issues with use of equipment and feeling cramped. The fitness center was built in a classroom setting in Cobb Hall before being transformed into a gym which is why the facility is so tight.
To mitigate the cramped quarters in the center, both classes keep to a regular schedule and train at 6:30 a.m, when most students are typically still asleep. While this has helped, most of the student-athletes on campus are also working out during the early mornings. Madyson created a spreadsheet to keep track of all the students in her class and their workout regimes so they know what they are doing ahead of time.
“They’re more or less just working together and completing the workout while I’m there assisting them on certain exercises and also providing health nutrition and fitness advice,” Woodburn said.
The construction of the pavilion is supposed to be completed in February, however, the confirmed date has been pushed back due to Hurricane Idalia.
“Our students know this location is temporary and I know it’s temporary,” Hudson said. “Hopefully when the construction is finished it will be better than ever for everyone to enjoy.”