Students, faculty and staff can become more physically fit now that the Art and Marge McWilliams Fitness Center is open.
The new fitness center, located in renovated storage space in the Athletic Complex, is equipped with 23 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, including stationary bikes, stair climbers, treadmills and Nordic Tracks.
"It's convenient, it's safe, and it's on campus," said John Schael, director of athletics. "The McWilliams Fitness Center complements existing facilities and provides a quality environment for exercise programs leading to a higher level of cardiovascular fitness. We are committed to ensuring that the McWilliams Fitness Center will be a positive atmosphere for use by our campus community."
Faculty and staff pay a membership fee of $100 for the academic year (Sept. 1-May 31) or $120 for the entire calendar year. Students pay a membership fee of $30 for the academic year or $40 for the entire year. For these fees, they have access to the fitness center from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
"I am very concerned about keeping healthy and staying fit," said Lauren Osterweil, a senior majoring in political science and minoring in business and Spanish. "So, in my freshman year, I wrote a letter to Chancellor Danforth citing the lack of cardiovascular equipment in the Athletic Complex. Since then, I've put in a lot of time and effort into seeing that Washington University has a fitness center. And now, in my senior year, I'm seeing it become reality."
An initial gift from 1949 alumnus Art McWilliams and his wife, Marge, made the fitness center possible. The W Club also has provided support.
"With today's emphasis on physical fitness, a first-class fitness center was really a high-priority need for the students of Washington University," McWilliams said.
He expects the fitness center will be kept in full use. "When we visited other athletic facilities in the University Athletic Association, 100 percent of the equipment was in use. It was almost like seeing perpetual motion --knees going up and down on bicycles, legs going back and forth on treadmills, arms going back and forth on rowing machines."
Osterweil also expects a lot of enthusiasm from students. "Personally, I work out six days a week, so I hope I'm able to use the new fitness center for all my workouts," she said.
"The new fitness center is a health-focused addition to the Athletic Complex," said Schael. "And what is really exciting is that it is only a beginning. Other programs -- like aerobic dance, walking and jogging -- are likely to be launched from the McWilliams Fitness Center. Hopefully, we can develop some cooperative programs with the medical school that will benefit the Washington University community, such as fitness testing, cholesterol and blood pressure tests, etc."
For more information, call 935-5220.
-- Debora Burgess
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