Campus Gym Promotes Healthy Lifestyle
With the fall term in full swing, we know two things for sure: stress among students is rising and the temperatures are dropping. Getting outside may prove to be challenging these days, but it’s important to stay active in order to keep a level head, especially with exams right around the corner. This is why facilities such as the O’Keefe STU fitness center are so important to the mental health and well-being of the student body and staff.
Research has proven that physical activity relieves stress and enhances productivity among students. Such activity could be as simple as riding a stationary bike, running, or playing a recreational sport of your choice a few days per week. The O’Keefe fitness center on the STU campus has been the university’s athletic hub for years; giving students access to a wide range of activities and all the workout equipment they need to start their fitness journey.
“I think the gym is super important to the campus and to the student body, faculty and staff,” said Saint Thomas Athletic director Mike Eagles. “It’s very important for people to stay active, and it’s provided to the student-athletes as part of the package when they come to Saint Thomas. It’s free admission to the gym and it’s a chance for them to take advantage of the nice facility and stay active and try to lead a healthy lifestyle.”
The gym itself is equipped with multiple cardio machines, free weights, squat racks, resistance bands, and virtually everything else the average person needs to get fit. The athletic center, however, not only supplies students and staff with workout equipment; it also gives them access to a recreational facility, allowing them the chance to play any number of court sports. Additionally, the center organizes yoga classes and intermural leagues, giving them a wide variety of physical activity forums to try out.
“[The gym] has a lot to offer, it has a lot of good workout gear, and there are lots of opportunities to do the types of exercises that you like to do,” explained Eagles.”We think it’s a really nice space, it’s got lots of natural light and people really like coming to the gym.”
Since its reopening in face of Covid-19, the staff have been working hard to make the gym sanitary. The gym was forced to operate on an appointment-based system for the entirety of last year, but they are happy to be able to return to a more “normal” environment with the introduction of widespread vaccination within campus life. Although this does not mean the precautions have been wholly removed, as gym-goers are required to wear their face masks in between workout stations, as well as they are obliged to carry a spray bottle and hand towel in order to effectively sanitize anything they’ve touched upon finishing.
The STU gym is precious to a plethora of students and staff that range anywhere from aspiring athletes to overwhelmed honours students. Whether you’ve been training for years, or it’s your second day, the building’s doors will be wide open.