By Doug Stevens
Assistant Opinions Editor
To accommodate heavy traffic due to increasing popularity, Pepperdine’s weight center has undergone a renovation many would call long overdue. Work began Dec. 4 to remove a section of the center’s back wall, aiming to open up extra space and alleviate some overcrowding. The floor was also elevated and mirrors were added.
The new space holds the platform and leg press machines. Dedicating the area to power lifting frees up space for serious and casual lifters alike and increases safety for everyone.
On a busy day, the weight center serves more than 500 people from Pepperdine as well as the surrounding community. This popular facility is open to students, faculty, staff, Crest Associates, Special Programs guests, police and fire departments as well as Hughes Research Laboratory employees.
The weight center draws a diverse clientele, from athletes training for competition to seniors trying to stay active.
Health and fitness specialist and weight center manager Jeeny Miller recognized the need for additional space long before construction began. “I originally requested the construction two years ago,” Miller said.
It was not until fall 2002 that President Dr. Andrew K. Benton and Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Mark Davis approved the $15,000 project. And this is not the first time the weight center has needed reconstructive surgery. Holes in the floorboards caused by dropped weights were recently repaired by Facility Management and Planning, the same department that handled the current project. The construction, which also included raising the floor and installing new mirrors, was executed quickly and professionally, allowing the weight center to remain open during completion of the project.
Some say repairs may not be the answer to all of the weight center’s problems and that it is time for an entirely new facility.
“I think (the new edition) is good for the short term,” said sophomore weight center monitor Tina Jeon, “but they should move the weight center someplace else.”
Mary Steele, personal trainer for Crest Associates, had similar thoughts on the weight room’s expansion.
“We are aware that we are in need of a new weight room, and we are lucky that we have more space to expand to, but what we really need is for someone to earmark a couple million dollars and we’ll build a big beautiful state-of-the-art weight center,” she said. “You can get a great workout in the (weight room) we’ve got, it all depends on your attitude.”
Despite issues of overcrowding, many are satisfied that current improvements are a step in the right direction and are confident that Pepperdine is dedicated to health and fitness.
“I’m excited and I think the expansion is very much needed,” sophomore Maggie Lane said. “Hopefully it will inspire students to come down and take advantage of Pepperdine’s facilities. It’s free.”
Lane tries to make it to the weight center five times a week, and like many students, she prefers to work out in the mornings, an especially busy time because of physical education classes, athletic teams’ workouts and professionals who like to exercise before work. The overcrowding is most evident in the early morning hours.
“Having the extra space will be a big help for our sports conditioning programs,” said Jay Zemliak, strength and conditioning coach. “Pepperdine supports several competitive NCAA sports teams and they need room to condition properly.”
Miller has been working hard to improve the quality of the weight center, and her efforts are appreciated by all of its patrons.
“I come down here three times a week and I love it,” Associate General Counsel Marc Goodman said. “The space is great and I have plenty of room to go do sit ups.”
Miller did express wishes to eventually move the weight center to a new and improved location.
“Our view for the future is to build a fitness village,” Miller said. “But that will be four or five years down the road.”
For now, patrons can still enjoy unlimited access to professional quality weight and cardio machines as well as freeweights. The only thing limited is space. The dumbbell rack has been moved to the north wall in front of the bench press, forcing lifters to compete for space and some of the machines are so close they nearly touch.
“More room is great, but when are they getting more cardio equipment? Everyone always fights for the elliptical machines,” Crest Member Tresa, who requested that her last name not be used, said.
Weight center regulars know the cardio machines are extremely popular and call to make same-day reservations. Exercise bikes, treadmills, step and elliptical machines can all be reserved for 30-minute increments.
While most are excited about the weight room’s expansion, all agree that more space should mean more equipment, and more equipment will attract more people to the weight room.
“I want to offer a professional fitness environment that is available for everyone to enjoy as often as they please,” Miller said. “Ninety percent of the problem people have could be solved with proper exercise. When is comes to taking care of one’s self, health and fitness are paramount.”
January 16, 2003