New year sees more student use of AFC

Acacia O'Connor Sports Editor

What’s the hottest place on campus so far this semester? No, it’s not the Mug or the D-block of the Town Houses. It might be hard to believe, but the Walker Athletic and Fitness Center (AFC) has been one of the busiest and most-frequented locations on campus since students returned from winter break. The noticeable increase in use by non-athletes as well as the beginning of spring sports practice keeps the AFC filled to capacity for several hours each day.

The AFC being crowded for longer periods during the day makes it difficult to accommodate every student’s intended workout. It also makes more work for student employees and administrators who are responsible for ensuring that the AFC is clean, safe and orderly.

“It’s ridiculous!” said Equipment and Facility Manager Christine Wegner ’03, glancing up at the packed track above the gymnasium with a laugh. Wegner said the track and weight room have been full every afternoon and evening since classes resumed.

Crowding in the weight room “is compounded by the changing of the ceiling,” said Wegner. A large area usually designated for stretching and aerobic exercise has been roped off for over a week while workers replace ceiling fixtures.

“It’s nice to see Vassar students taking an interest in their health,” said Wegner. “Well, except for the guys who stand in front of the weight room mirror and grunt.”

The cause of this sudden interest in fitness is hard to pin-point, but Equipment and Facility Manager Todd McGuinness has a theory. “New Year’s Resolutions,” said McGuinness. “Everyone’s trying to lose weight and look good.” McGuinness added that he anticipates the surge will start to dwindle before long, once the demands of classes increase.
But according to some students, the commitment has little to do with resolutions. Friends Greg Meier ’09 and Fred Burki ’09 said that they intend to use the AFC together every day. Meier said he lifted weights and ran three to four times a week last semester, while Burki admits he did not do much working out, going to the AFC twice a month. The students said their goal is to “bulk up” and “lose weight.”

Kalyani Iyer ’06 and Pauline Hilmy ’06 said they have always been regular users of the AFC, going to Walker every other day. Iyer, who is also a member of the women’s squash team, said she tends to avoid the late-afternoon crowd, opting instead to come in the early morning.
“There are times when you can’t get a machine,” said Hilmy. “But you can definitely avoid it.”

February also marks the time when the most varsity sports are in season, as winter and spring sports overlap, adding to the commotion. The gymnasium is frequently occupied by the men’s and women’s basketball teams as they hold practice. The men’s volleyball team has also begun practicing at Walker Field House, due to the ongoing construction in Kenyon Hall. Walker is also home to lacrosse and baseball practices while the cold weather persists. Also, intramural sports will begin again this coming week.

But for student-athletes familiar with the ways of the AFC, the rush is no surprise.
“After a few years of basketball seasons, you notice the trend,” said Sarah Porter ’06. “For the first few weeks of the spring semester everybody works out. Eventually, however, people get busy and most stop coming as often.”