Gym's extended hours a plus

The University of New Mexico's Johnson Gym extended its hours until almost midnight in 2008.

by STEVEN FERNANDEZ

The sound of 100-pound iron plates crashing together and the smell of sweaty gym linger later at the University of New Mexico.

When students used to walk into Johnson Gym in the mid-to-late evenings trying to get a quick workout in, some were frustrated with the crowded weight room or the fact that they had to rush to get all their reps in.

So when the gym extended its hours to nearly midnight on weeknights, it gave UNM students a chance to breathe easy while knowing they would have the time and space they wanted.

“I used to hate going to workout in the evenings,” senior Stephen Baros said. “There were so many dudes on every machine that I just didn’t think it was worth it. But now, it’s a little more spread out.”

Photo by Steven Fernandez

UNM student Arturo Anaya takes advantage of Johnson Gym's extedned hours

Before this semester, Johnson Gym was open until 9:45 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. But in the spring of 2008, the facility extended its hours for its weight room until 11:45 p.m. on those nights.

And students have taken full advantage of the extended hours.

Nathan Hook, a staff member in the weight room at Johnson Gym, said there are always at least a few people working out right up until closing time.

“We normally have people that we have to kick out right at a quarter ‘til 12,” he said.

For students like Baros, the extended hours provide relief because the weight room seems less condensed than in previous semesters.

And for others who work late or have night classes, it presents the opportunity to get some exercise in when they couldn’t before.

Student Arturo Anaya said the earliest he can make it to the gym is around 9 p.m., adding the extended hours are a huge boost because he loves to work out and probably wouldn’t get a chance to do so otherwise.

“It just gives me more time because normally I was rushing to get out of here before 10,” he said. “Now, I’m actually able to relax my workouts.”

Anaya said the extended hours help create a more pleasant atmosphere in the weight room. In prior semesters, he said he would have to stand impatiently at a station he was waiting to use.

And when it was his turn on a machine, he said he disliked the notion of having to hurry himself for other people.

Of course, with extended hours means later night for Johnson Gym staff members.

However, Hook said he doesn’t mind working later on the weeknights. He said he gets occasional chances to get some reading done for classes.

The downside, Hook said, is that 11:45 doesn’t seem to be late enough for some students.

“It’s not too bad getting out late,” he said. “The only part that sucks is when people don’t want to leave.”

To complement the gym’s late hours, the facility’s accompanying field, Johnson Field, had lights installed that stay on until midnight. Part of the reason for the installment of lights was for campus safety.

Because some students walked across the dark field after the sun went down, school officials had the lights installed.

In addition to the added safety, students can be seen participating in intramural soccer games, jogging around the field or playing a game of pickup football well into the darker hours.

Anaya said he also takes advantage of lights on Johnson Field.

“Sometimes I don’t feel like lifting so I’ll just go run around Johnson,” he said. “I enjoy running in general, so it’s pretty cool that they have the lights out here now. It’s pretty fun to run at night.”

Written May 1, 2008

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