There’s never been a better time to check out LBCC’s recently renovated Fitness Center.
Over the summer, Linn-Benton staff and faculty renovated and upgraded what had previously been dubbed the “weight room” into a state-of-the-art exercise facility.
The renovations added brand new workout machines, removed outdated and unused equipment, and incorporated a reception desk for the center’s student employees.
“For the most part, it’s nothing but upgrades,” said Dean Upton, a Fitness Center employee of the last two years. “I promote it to anyone I can in my classes.”
Upton, a second-year bioengineering major and former martial arts instructor, works out at the Fitness Center in his free time. Even though the school year has just started, Upton has noticed an increase in the amount of consistent visitors to the center.
Students and staff have been free to test out the new equipment that was set up, like the stair stepper, the three high-tech treadmills, and the two additional squat racks.
Upton would like to see an extra cable machine added to the center in the future, but he believes the decision to bring in new cardio equipment was necessary.
“I use the Fitness Center a lot,” he said. “It has everything you’re going to need for any specific muscle workout.”
The process for students and staff to use the center takes almost no time. Before using the gym, new visitors must sign a one-time waiver, which they can fill out at the reception desk. Gym-goers then sign in with their physical or digital LB ID card, after which they are free to work out and enjoy all the Fitness Center has to offer.
No one is required to have a rigorous workout to use the Fitness Center. The space offers a rowing machine, elliptical machines, and exercise bikes for guests wanting a more relaxed gym session.
With the removal of last year’s unused fitness machines, there is now more floor space for yoga, stretching, and core workouts, which has pleased visitors.
“Last time I was here, it was kind of packed with all the equipment,” said Leon Souther, a regular Fitness Center visitor. “They made incredible improvements.”
Souther, a second-year occupational therapy assistant major, had observed some of the center’s flaws when he first started attending.
Souther encountered issues like waiting for squat machines to open up and feeling cramped due to the number of unused machines taking up space.
With more room to operate and two more squat machines, he no longer has to wait for an open spot and can enjoy a more intensive core workout on the floor space.
“It’s a really good place to meet a lot of new people here. You can work out with your buddies, and it’s a really nice gym,” Souther said.
Planning for the Fitness Center’s renovations started in early May when Rob Camp, manager of student life and leadership, sent out an email with an attached survey to gain student feedback on the center.
After examining the responses, staff and faculty worked throughout the summer to transform the Fitness Center into a facility that mirrored Oregon State University’s Dixon Recreation Center to a lesser extent.
The result has left students, coaches, and staff satisfied with a modern facility that emphasizes the need and importance of physical well-being.
“It feels as if we’re getting a much better response from the student body than we’ve had in the last couple of years,” said Todd Zimmermann, manager of Fitness Center operations and head coach of the men’s basketball team.
Zimmermann and his team hold three-hour-long sessions in the Fitness Center for three days a week. He says that so far, the upgrades to the Fitness Center have been met with great enthusiasm from Linn-Benton’s student-athlete population.
Even with the overwhelmingly positive responses, Zimmermann still has ideas for future improvements to the Fitness Center. He hopes to install more storage space for personal belongings and a paved outdoor area for tire flipping.
The ideas will most likely have to wait until later to become reality, but in the meantime, Zimmermann encourages all students and staff to stop by and check out the Fitness Center’s latest updates.
“We’re creating a facility that will serve the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff,” he said. “You just gotta come over and give it a look; you’ll find something that fits your fitness goals.”
Linn-Benton Fitness Center hours of operation fall 2024:
Monday: 2-6 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 2-6 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed