For determined off-season athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, the Baker Ferguson Fitness Center (BFFC) provides a state-of-the art facility that enhances the athletic experience of the Whitman community and local residents. Since the opening of BFFC and Paul Harvey Pool in 2006, many students have developed ideas for restructuring the resource to be more conducive to student life.
Many students anonymously suggested a snack bar for post-workout fueling and munchies for swimming spectators.
“A snack or smoothie bar would be great. It could service swimmers, coaches or people working out at BFFC. It should be student-run though. I wouldn’t want it to be just another place to buy Bon Appétit croissants,” said one survey respondent.
Many students echoed the desire for classes that require less commitment than a semester-long course.
“Exercise classes, like aerobics, step, even jazzercise, that would be open to the whole community, would be great. Maybe even having Pilates or yoga. I have to go to the YMCA because I like to do cardio classes and I get bored on machines. It would be awesome if we could even have student led aerobics classes,” said another participant.
Survey respondents agreed that more information regarding machine usage would also be helpful to the students and community members.
“I would also love to see spinning or stretching and abs classes offered at off-hours. Michelle should advertise training on all of the equipment for people who want to set-up a workout routine. I know a lot of people that just use the cardio machines because they don’t know how to do any of the free weights, for example,” said one student.
The hours of operation are another area of contention for some students.
“We always eat dinner then want to wait a little bit before we go and work out in the evening as a study break,” said first-year Anne Baeur. “Since we stay up late, we need proportional open hours.”
Echoing her concern, sophomore Katie Bates explained that “a lot of people get annoyed at how it’s not open during finals when people want to go de-stress.”
Although many students suggest changes to the current fitness center, the Whitman community has enthusiastically welcomed and frequented the BFFC.
In fact, although varsity athletes do enjoy the privileges of a private room and team weight training at BFFC, regular exercise is important to a large number of Whitman students. 38 percent of survey respondents reported frequenting BFFC at least three to four times per week. Another 18.4 percent claimed they hit the gym anywhere from five to seven days per week, while 38 percent stopped in at least once or twice. Only seven percent of students reported never using the gym.
The reasons for using the athletic facilities are varied. For nearly half of respondents, working out is simply “a mood-lifter,” and a good break from studying. Thirty percent of students use BFFC to help achieve weight loss goals, and another 15 percent to maintain off-season endurance. One anonymous participant explained his or her motivation to work out: “To look good naked!” Several others added that general health was the overall reason to stay fit. 94 percent of those surveyed cited BFFC as one of their main avenues of exercise. 44 percent utilize jogging paths and nearby areas to run, while 21 percent enjoy sports and recreational courses offered by the college. A surprising 18 percent of students use their room to work out, likely for calmer yoga routines and meditation. Only 3.5 percent of survey responders said they venture off campus to local workout studios. The easily accessible and free resources that BFFC provides leave most students content with what the campus offers.
