Guest passes at the gym shouldn't be a priority

Photo by Jelmer Assink via Unsplash

A new policy allowing guests at the Hofstra Fitness Center has recently been enacted. The policy, outlined on the Campus Recreation website, says, “All current Hofstra students, employees, faculty and staff members are welcome to bring one guest per day.” 

The entry fee for these guests is $10 and can be purchased from opening until 5 p.m., which is when guests must leave the premises. While the cash flow might be a great addition, there are several issues with allowing guests to use the facility.

First off, the size of the facility can barely handle those who already go. It’s common to see people waiting near equipment that is being used by another person. Since there isn’t enough equipment as it is, guests are only going to make it harder to get a workout in.

A major issue with the condition of the fitness center is the state of the equipment. There’s always an issue with broken machines, and, as of the time this article was written (Friday, Feb. 24), the leg press, rowing machine and leg extension machines are all busted. This means that the gymgoers who already frequent the fitness center are unable to do their workouts properly and must adjust because these machines aren’t fixed. I know myself and plenty of others have asked the staff about when the machines will be serviced, but nothing has come to fruition.

There are five total barbell racks in the fitness center, which is already too few for a college gym. Those racks are used to squat, bench and military press among a plethora of other things, but there are five of them for the whole gym to use. There are two sets of each weight available in the free weight section, with only half weighing an amount that the average human can lift. That isn’t enough functioning equipment to fully serve those who already go; how is adding more people going to help?

While I understand that an additional profit source may help service the broken machines and provide funding for new equipment, it also brings new challenges to the university that can induce fear in students attending the fitness center.

Allowing guests also poses a safety hazard to students and faculty as non-students will be allowed into a campus facility. Michigan State University just had a terrifying incident done by someone with zero affiliation with the school. This recent incident speaks volumes about why allowing guests is a poor decision. No background checks and little registration are required for said guests, so practically anyone can come in.

The gym also helps build a community within the student body. Students can mingle and interact with friends and fellow Hofstra students whom they may not have previously known. I personally have met so many of my friends at the gym. 

Allowing non-Hofstra guests breaks the fabric of the community formed at the gym, considering this is a college gym and not a commercial one. While financially helpful, the influx of guests will only disturb the community that’s been built by gymgoers over the years.

All in all, the fitness center should be for those affiliated with Hofstra. It’s a college gym for those who attend and work at the university, so it should be utilized as such. Perhaps consider opting for a commercial gym, seeing as the price of the guest passes is equivalent to some gyms’ monthly fees. The fitness center is funded by and utilized by those attending the university; that’s who should be using it.