By Zoebelle Bean, Aquinas Reporter
Current AQ Weight Room as seen from the treadmills – Photo by Zoebelle Bean.
The Aquinas Weight Room has recently undergone some upgrades over this Fall Break and has been reconfigured for optimal working out. The weight room project, proposed during Homecoming 2023, has come to its completion.
The weight room has been reorganized to include more cardio equipment, especially more treadmills, seven new power racks, and new weight plates. Though the changes are significant, some students have differing opinions on how the changes have impacted their workout routine.
“I love how they added more mirrors. However, I wish we had smaller plates and not just bumper plates for landmine rows. You can’t get a full stretch because the bigger bumper plates hit your chest,” said junior Reign Lawson. The weight room has yet to reach its fully fixed potential. Half of the machines are still not in working condition while the other half are brand new. “I wish they would fix the leg machines. The leg extension machine has been broken since last semester on top of half the treadmills still not working,” said sophomore Chris Dimond.
One major thing that the weight room continues to struggle with besides the equipment is a shortage of student workers and open hours. “The hours need to be open to all students all the time. Especially in the mornings. I’m considering paying for a gym membership where I can go anytime,” said senior Olivia Amting.
Students claim that the upgraded equipment works well and adds a lot to the atmosphere of the room, especially the way it has been set-up. “I love it. We finally got cables which are super nice, and I love the new squat and bench racks, they help so much,” said junior Carson LePage. The shape of the racks for the new hand weights is sturdy and easy to access. The power towers are also clean and there’s enough that people aren’t waiting in line to use something they need.
Aquinas Weight Room being updated over the summer – Photo by Ryan Wendt.
The weight room needed these changes because more sports teams have been formed at Aquinas since the original room was built. “When the weight room opened up in the fall of 2010 we had 18 sports, since then we have added 12 more sports. We currently have 30 sports and 6 JV and reserve sports. There really wasn’t enough room in the weight room for entire teams to move around and workout together,” said AQ historian Ryan Wendt.
The weight room has been able to undergo these changes due to massive funding from alumni and outside donors. Many former athletes have supported this project to make the new equipment possible because they enjoyed their time at Aquinas and how their team played because of the opportunities and equipment they were provided with.
The weight room has come far and the improvements will benefit many classes to come.
The Saint 