Iron Reimagined: An Explanation Behind the Changes in the Fitness Center

By Mason Wolfe

You are not alone if you felt perplexed last semester upon walking into the campus weight room. Whether it was the newly exposed giant window or the awkward relocation of the cable and back machines, many students have felt a certain way about these seemingly random changes in the gym. There was no general information about the who, what, when, where, and why that went into these changes. Those connected to athletics or Jefferson's social media may have been more in tune with what was happening, but most of us average gym users were caught off guard by these changes. 

Jefferson Athletic Director Corey Goff was consulted about the motives behind these changes. Goff explained that the decisions made in the gym were based on a “Combination of factors including direct feedback from our community through surveys, our own observations of equipment usage, and broader fitness industry trends.” 

In terms of the weight room, changes are still in progress, which is why the gym layout is still a bit awkward. According to Goff, “Elliptical machines are scheduled for removal in the next two weeks and will be replaced with high-demand resistance training equipment. This transition aligns with a significant industry-wide shift over the past decade, moving away from traditional cardio training and toward resistance training.” Here are photos of the new equipment:

Sources By Mason Wolfe

New gym equipment that will be available for Jefferson students in the coming weeks.

These plans will make the gym space more open and easy to utilize. Goff emphasized that they try to take a community approach when making changes in the gym. “We actively gather feedback from students, observe equipment usage, and stay informed on evolving fitness trends to ensure our space best serves the needs of our community.” 

What Jefferson Fitness Wants You to Know!

In addition to Goff's explanation for the changes in the gym, a few other staff members were asked if they felt there was anything important for students to know. There was a lot of emphasis on services at the fitness center that were never utilized and how students were unaware of all these facilities. There are lockers and showers available to all students, a turf room, an indoor track, three auxiliary gyms, and several more areas for students to train and exercise. They also emphasized how many classes, weekly challenges, and club sports there are at Jefferson. Come to a team sporting event or try a new workout class; there is certainly something for everybody!