With brand-new workout equipment and a welcoming environment, the opening of Cal State Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) new Fitness Center offers students an opportunity to become more involved on campus.
The state-of-the-art facility opened its doors on Sept. 2 to eager students looking to improve their physical and mental health in an inclusive setting.
The gym is located next to the University Center and Monte’s Oasis juice bar. It’s run by CSUMB’s Recreation Department, which assisted in deciding the optimal layout and types of equipment. The space is 4,350 square feet and features an array of updated workout equipment including eight treadmills, eight stair climbers, two rowing machines, five Peloton bikes, multiple leg curl and extension machines and much more.
The center also includes gender-neutral bathrooms, a shower and small personal lockers, said Alan Fisher, interim vice president for Administration and Finance/Chief Financial Officer.
“The Fitness Center provides a convenient location on campus with increased capacity, and new, state-of-the-art equipment, where students can work out on campus and feel a sense of belonging,” Fisher said.
The Fitness Center is open to students from Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The facility will accommodate additional hours, weekend hours and staff/faculty memberships in the future. A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the fall semester.
Bailee Vranish is a fourth-year kinesiology major who works in the Fitness Center and has enjoyed the experience so far.
“I like getting to promote not only physical health, but also mental health, by giving people a community to work out together,” she said.
Vranish hopes to see more students register for a fitness membership.
“I’ve already seen people get really excited about it, and I hope that continues throughout the semester,” she said.
Robert Reyes, a first-year marine science student, appreciates how well the gym has worked for student flexibility. The Otter Sports Center hours for students are Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Athletes receive preference for the gym, which makes the new fitness center more accessible for students.
“It works out just like any other gym that has a membership,” he said. “It works out pretty well. It has all the basics. I think they’ve done it very nicely.”
Reyes believes the gym will assist with student schedules and the limited hours of the Otter Sports Center.
“It will add a lot more ease to just work out because from what I’ve heard the [Otter] Sports Center is still mostly packed with the actual kids in sports, so they might not have as much equipment,” Reyes said. “With this, there’s a lot more room to just do what you need to and want to.”