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Low price fitness pays off
 Media Credit: charles martin Colin Houlihan, a senior student at SCSU, works out in Eastman recreational center up to four times a week.
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All of the good things in life are free -- well, maybe not everything. But a little money can buy happiness, not to mention a great pair of abs.
For $20 students are granted access to the on campus workout facility, Eastman, for an entire semester.
Though last year's $35 fee was steeper, the reduced price still has some students up in arms.
Some people expected Eastman to be free this year. However, it was a miscommunication.
"We went around saying that we would try to get Eastman free," said director of campus recreation Ron Seibring.
Last year, when students voted yes to the referendum for a new athletic center, free access to Eastman was included as a possible prospect if approved. However, a mere proposal, it was never promised.
"Nothing about a free Eastman was voted on," Seibring said. "(Still,) I'd like recreation to be free for everyone."
In their proposal to student government, campus recreation suggested a free Eastman facility pass. Student government, on the other hand, decided that a fee was still necessary for funding, but they did decided to reduce the price.
"I understand why they made the decision," he said. "Students still have a good deal, $20 is pretty cheap."
Campus Recreation does a lot of work and fund raising to keep fitness easily available and cheap for students, said Seibring.
"As a department to help maintain (fitness), we do a lot of fund raising to keep fees down," he said. "We continue to advocate having the new facility to be free."
The new athletic center and Eastman might become free sometime in the coming years, Seibring said.
Senior Matt Deimel said that he is disappointed that Eastman access still has a price tag. Still, he said, he understands why a price is a reality.
"(Eastman) is why I voted yes to the referendum," he said. "It's a good deal, but I wish it was free."
Another Eastman user, Tony Edlund, is empathetic towards the fee and happy to pay it.
"Twenty dollars is well worth it, going anywhere else will cost a lot more," he said. "They have to charge some funding or else they wouldn't be able to pay for it."
The money students pay, said junior Leah Haugen, is a good way to keep the exercise facilities in usable shape, and as well to pay for remodeling or renovations.
"It depends on what the money goes for, if it goes to back to the students, I support it," she said.
Eastman features free weights, weight machines, and cardiovascular machines such as the Treadmill, Stairmaster, and Elliptical. In other parts of the building, there are aerobic studios and a pool.
Semester passes can be bought for $20 at either Halenbeck or Eastman Halls.
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