As summer weather begins to fade and busy schedules take over our lives, the key to staying in shape, being healthy and relieving the stress of work and classes is to find the perfect gym. Whether you are living on or off campus, the area has several selections that are easy to reach and affordable: FitSpace at the East Gym on campus, Planet Fitness and the Shamrock Athletic Center.
Probably the most convenient gym facilities for students living on campus is FitSpace in the East Gym. Kristen Rudkoski, a junior biology major, agrees.
“It is easy to use in between classes because it is right on campus and it is inexpensive,” Rudkoski said.
The East Gym’s rates are $65 per semester or $120 for the school year. It offers a variety of cardio machines, circuit training machines and free weights. There is also a large swimming pool and a variety of group exercise classes, including spinning, yoga and Pilates. These classes are offered several times a day so it is easy to find time for them between class and studying. FitSpace is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
If you don’t live on campus or you find FitSpace a little bland, Planet Fitness, located in University Plaza, may be a better choice for you.
Their “Black Card” membership is $20 a month and it includes the use of any Planet Fitness facility, unlimited guest passes, unlimited use of massage chairs and tanning. There is also a membership that has a $46.39 start-up fee and is $10 a month after that, but it does not include the guest passes, tanning or massage privileges. It is a large facility and is packed with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as televisions to watch while working out on the cardio equipment.
Because of its prime location, it is convenient for off-campus students as well as on-campus students, said Omar Elfiky, a senior economics and pre-dental major.
“There are shuttles leaving University Plaza to campus every 30 minutes, so it is extremely accessible for on-campus students as well,” Elfiky said. “The facility is really nice and it is a great environment to work out in. It is also a great bang for your buck.”
Another facility that is great for off-campus students is the Shamrock Athletic Center, managed by a BU alumnus and assistant wrestling coach, which is located at 47 Riverside Drive.
With rates of $59 per semester or $99 for the calendar year, you really can’t go wrong. It offers over 40 group exercise classes a week, ranging from yoga and cardio kickboxing, to Zumba and martial arts. These are all included in the fee, along with over 50 pieces of cardio equipment, circuit training machines and free weights. There is also a strong-man area, which features sledge hammers and other unique ways to work out. It is also right on the bus line so it is accessible to on-campus students as well.
Shamrock is a popular choice for students living in Downtown Binghamton, explained Jenna Drake, a senior marketing major.
“It is in a prime location for students living farther away from campus and it also offers a larger variety of group-exercise classes than other gyms in the area,” Drake said.
So whether you are looking for awesome exercise classes or state-of-the-art cardio and fitness equipment on campus or off campus, there is a great selection to choose from and great facilities to help take your minds off the stress of being a college student.