Athletes at Pierce College can use the Fitness Center for their everyday training, helping to improve their health and performance on the field or the court. But non-athletes can’t use the same resources.
The fitness center should expand its access to include hours for all students, not just student-athletes.
Students’ health often declines when their bodies aren’t given the chance to stay active. With busy schedules and lack of access to a gym, it creates a deeper stress on their bones and concentration. According to an article posted by Post University, “A study conducted at the University of British Columbia found significant boosts to the side of the hippocampus – the part of the brain responsible for the verbal memory – among those who pursue exercise on a regular basis.” The impact that exercise has on students can help increase academic performance and memory.
James Sims, the fitness center inter coordinator and head football coach, believes there should be a way for students to take care of their bodies and minds. “I’m a strong believer that students on this campus should be able to work out,” Sims said. “They pay to go to school here and they’re an important and intricate part of the campus.”
Sims created a fitness club seven years ago because he said many students were not working out. The club was able to leave a four-hour window for them to use as long as they paid an ASO fee. Unfortunately, students can’t use the equipment today unless they end up joining a kinesiology class, which allows them to work out during that time. Sims said the club ended because it was hard to find time to use the fitness center when it was often full with student-athletes.
Of the nine LACCD colleges, there is only one that has a fitness center that is open for all students to use. Los Angeles Mission College provides its students with the ability to access the fitness center and indoor running track, for a fee.
Pierce should find times throughout the week for non-athletes taking any classes to use the fitness center.