USU offers indoor fitness opportunities
With winter setting in, many Utah State University students feel the weight piling on, mostly from not wanting to venture out in the cold to exercise.
Students may not want to venture beyond the campus and lack the funds to join a club. The campus offers different indoor fitness options that don’t cost them any extra. According to a flyer, the Fieldhouse is open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The main floor itself is closed from 1:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon for class. It houses an indoor track, two basketball courts and racquetball courts.
The racquetball courts do not close in the afternoon and students can rent rackets there for $1 per racket. There are also a few step and weight machines just off the main floor.
If aerobics is what you are looking for, step classes are offered at the Fieldhouse. The classes run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and then again at 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The classes are open to everyone on a first come first serve basis and there isn’t any extra cost – just show up.
According to a flyer from the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, the HPER Building offers a different mixture of fitness opportunities. The weight room is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Monday, Wednesday and Friday there are classes from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Both free weights and Cybex machines are available. The drawback to these facilities is during peak hours there will be waiting for machines.
Swimmers are also welcome in the HPER pool. Lap swim hours are for those interested in swimming organized laps. Those run on Monday, Wednesday Friday from 6:30 to 8 a.m. and Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Rec swim is for lap swimmers who also wish to dive. Rec is Monday through Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family swim is for everyone and runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Water aerobics are also available in the HPER. Shallow water aerobics is Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and deep water aerobics is on Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. These classes are free to students and faculty.
Students who are looking for exercising without battling the crowds can choose from a couple different clubs in Logan.
Wendy Winner, manager, said the Sports Academy is just off of 1400 North right behind Wal-Mart. The student rate is a one-time membership fee of $60 and then a monthly fee of $44.95. They have four pools, a cardio room, a weight room, basketball and tennis courts, daycare and 80 different aerobics classes each week. The classes are step, spinning (aerobics on a bike), yoga, water, pilate and kickboxing.
For an extra fee, personal trainers are available as is massages, tanning and a driving range. On the driving range the only extra cost is a bucket of balls. Classes are offered in tumbling, swimming, dancing and tennis. These classes also cost extra and available to children and adults.
The Sports Academy is open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturdays 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kristine Calderwood, employee, said, Spring Creek Fitness has locations in both Logan and Smithfield. For students, they have a membership fee of $25 and $20 a month on a one-year contract. For students leaving for the summer, they have a freeze on accounts so they can hold their three or four months for when they get back. For just one month at a time, the monthly fee increases to $30. They have cardio and weight machines, free weights, aerobics classes (step and toning), flex classes, yoga and kickboxing. Their hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
They also have two personal trainers and while this is extra, the first visit is free with membership.
James Taylor, employee, said Academy Fitness, a branch of the Sports Academy, is located right next to Macey’s. They have a membership fee of $39 and $35 monthly but they offer various deals throughout the year. For a year contract the monthly rate drops to $26.95. They have hard-core workout equipment, weight machines and free weights. They are open from 4:30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.