KSC gymnasium to empty as weather heats up
Spring is here and warmer weather is beginning to sweep through the Keene State College Campus. After being stuck inside for a long winter, students are ready to get active and get outside. Though, the warm weather also affects other aspects of campus, such as the regulars at the gym.
Spaulding Gym employee Caitlin Lehman, KSC junior, said she notices a decline in people coming to the gym in the spring. “As it gets warmer, I always see less and less people coming in to workout,” Lehman said. “In the winter, specifically when we come back in January, the gym is always packed. It’s too cold during those months to do anything outside.”
Lehman added, “I think people feel obligated to come in the winter to fulfill New Year’s resolutions or get prepared for things like spring break vacations or sometimes they’re just bored and looking for a place to go. We really do see a lot more people in the winter, though.”
Aryanah Haydu, freshman, noticed that the gym was particularly busy during the colder months, as well. “I remember going to the gym when we came back in January only to find that I’d have to wait for machines that are usually open,” Haydu said, “I think the first two weeks after we came back were the busiest there. They were also the coldest.”
She also noticed that people who did not regularly go to the gym were appearing there more often. “I think people feel like they need to at least try to be more productive in the winter. It distracts us from all the coldness to go to the gym,” Haydu said.
Allie Norman / Equinox Staff
Though, with warmer weather finally on it’s way to the campus just in time for spring, regular gym-goers are finding themselves outside rather than inside. Tori Bodenski, sophomore, is excited about being able to exercise outside again.
“I’d definitely rather run outside than on a treadmill because those tend to get boring really quickly,” Bodenski said, “I try to run outside every other day when it’s warm out.”
Haydu enjoys being able to exercise outside, too. “When it was still warm out at the beginning of the year, I always ran outside because it was a good way to explore the town and get to know different places in Keene that I couldn’t see with a car,” Haydu said, “I really love the trail along the side of the sports fields. I can’t wait to start running there again.” Bodenski added, “When I’m home, I just run down my road, but when I’m at school I always run on that trail by the sports fields. That’s my favorite here.”
People who tend to workout inside during the winter are beginning to workout outside now that it is warmer. Though, it’s also important to look at how the impending warm weather is starting to affect people who don’t regularly workout.
Rebecca Innerfield, sophomore, rarely went to the gym in the colder months. “I just don’t like going there. I hate being cooped up inside,” Innerfield said. “Now that it’s starting to feel more like spring, though, I actually want to work out outside. ”Innerfield added, “Something about running down the street or on a trail makes it all much more appealing to me.”
Caitlin Lehman has even noticed people taking the initiative to exercise both indoors and outdoors. “Sometimes we’ll see people run all the way to the gym, use our weights, and then run all the way home. It’s a great way to get a good workout in and also some fresh air,” Lehman said.
With warm weather finally appearing on campus, the snow is starting to melt away just as fast as the calories for active KSC students.
Stephanie McCann can be contacted at smcann@keene-equinox.com
