Summer off means fee for RPAC

The denial of entrance to any physical activity center for many non-enrolled students at Ohio State is clear evidence that summer is here. For those committed to be fit, there is still hope as memberships on campus and at surrounding gyms are still available.

Any student not enrolled in class during summer quarter may still purchase a student membership for OSU’s facilities on an off-quarter basis for $78, said Bryan Bansbach, public relations coordinator for the Department of Recreational Sports. The price remains constant throughout the summer. An off-quarter student is one who was enrolled at the Columbus campus the previous quarter and is no longer enrolled.

“The student is not paying any fee, but rather buying a membership at the student rate,” he said.

The off-quarter membership runs from June 18 to Sept. 18, and grants the member full access to any of the five facilities. The Jesse Owens North and West locations will remain closed throughout summer quarter because of the lack of air conditioning in those buildings, Bansbach said.

“It wouldn’t be comfortable for the student to be exercising in those buildings with this summer heat,” Bansbach said .

The membership does not include any additional fees for intramural sports teams or personal training. Fees for intramural sports vary depending on the sport and whether the member is joining as a team or an individual, he said.

John Katsares, personal training coordinator at OSU, said personal training is available to members starting at $30 per one-hour session.

Mary Smith, a sophomore in pre-allied medical professions, is taking classes this quarter but said she would not buy a membership anywhere else.

“If I weren’t taking classes I’d probably still consider buying a membership here because it’s familiar and really not that expensive,” Smith said.

For students living farther away from campus, joining an area gym might be more convenient.

Built Solid Strength and Fitness, located at 1459 King Ave., offers student memberships on a 12-month basis. The gym has special offers for students with 10 or more credit hours. It offers 10 percent off, totaling $322.15 for the full year or $33.15 per month, said Sharon Osborne, the gym’s manager and co-owner. The membership also includes a 30-day free Internet workout plan that helps tailor to an individual’s personal goals.

Other area gyms such as Bally Total Fitness, located at 2439 Fuji Drive, offer memberships for three months during the summer. Matt Messinger, public relations coordinator, said the Student Premier membership lasts from May 1 to August 31 and grants students full access to all clubs except for the Bloomfield Hills location. The cost for this membership is $156 paid in full or $39 per month for three months, he said.

Amy Rigby, a junior in nursing, said she would consider getting a membership at an area gym because of her location on campus. Rigby said at another gym she could drive and park there.

“From my house, just the walk to the RPAC is a workout in itself,” she said.

Some students may choose not to join a gym this summer and formulate their own work out plan outside of the gym. Whether working out at home, outside or in the residence hall, squats, lunges and wall-sits with body weights are all good ways to get an effective workout, Katsares said. The workout needs to be varied after six to eight weeks as one’s body adjusts to the newly gained muscle, he said.

Katsares encourages students to use the “Ask the Trainer” counseling and coaching program available online. Members can e-mails the personal training coordinator questions about their work-out routine and receive a response within 24 hours, he said. Katsares recommends the program for students who are familiar with lifting weights and equipment but are bored with their current routine or are looking for ways to vary their work out. The cost of this program is $35 and it is not necessary for the member to come to the gym.

Elizabeth Slightam can be reached at [email protected].