Northwestern has many amenities for its students, with one of those being the DeWitt Physical Fitness Center. The fitness center is a part of the Rowenhorst Student Center and features free weights, fitness machines, three racquetball courts and a game room. The upkeep of this part of campus is primarily maintained by students who either use it or are work-studies. The way that people use the fitness center and treat the things they use can make it harder to keep the machines in working order. This can also be a way that germs are spread when people do not wipe down the equipment they use.
“Do not take up the machinery or leave equipment out when it is not in use. I wish there was more of a larger variety of equipment or even more due to the large stream of gym traffic at certain hours,” said Ashley Montez.
With the fitness center being on the smaller side and with a large number of both on and off campus users, perhaps offering hours open to only men or only women would help to balance the number of people and space in the fitness center. While there are times throughout the day when the fitness center is less busy, there are those times, like after supper and practices where the center is full of people.
“There should be women/men only hours because there is unfortunately men who are overall creeps and make things so awkward. They believe that flexing while women is present is so impressive,” said Montez.
The racquetball courts are available to play racquetball or do mat- based exercises like yoga. The courts are also available for reservation. The 4-courts area is also available for reservation, or to simply play a game of basketball. The 4-courts also includes an indoor track which is another part of the fitness center. Many people on and off campus use this part to run or walk around the track or to play many games where equipment can be borrowed from the front desk. The game room features a pool table, two ping pong tables and a foosball table.
