A cluster of old rec center weight equipment is currently being stored on a basketball court. The rec center is upgrading its weight room equipment and will be ready for use tomorrow. TRACY TUCHOLSKI | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: DKS Editors

Weight lifters are going to have to wait one more day to burn off those holiday cookie calories while the Student Recreation and Wellness Center installs all new weight room equipment. Installers said they hope to have the weight room finished and open tomorrow.

“It’s the highest quality, in demand by students,” Ben Cope, fitness and wellness coordinator said.

Jason Hawk, interim assistant director of marketing for the rec center, said the total cost for the new weight room and three new treadmills was $65,000. The equipment was purchased by the rec center’s general funds budget.

The rec center staff has been waiting for the arrival of the new equipment all winter break. They received the shipment Monday.

The new equipment is manufactured by Life Fitness-Hammer Strength. It features both select-drive and plate-loaded weight lifting technology.

“It’s really top of the line equipment,” Cope said. “It’s built better and has better fitness.”

Junior education major Jay Sharp exercises in the weight room two or three times a week.

“I’m really excited,” Sharp said. “I think a lot more people will be interested to check it out since it’s all new.”

The old equipment, temporarily being stored on the basketball court, has been in the rec center since it was built in 1999. While the equipment was still in good shape and lifters never complained about them, the rec center management decided it needed an upgrade.

“We hope to better the patrons’ experience by keeping up to date with current equipment and trends,” Hawk said.

All of the old equipment has been traded in for the new arrivals.

Contact Student Wellness and Recreation Center reporter Pamela Crimbchin at [email protected].