This semester, students flocking to the Southwest Recreation Center will be greeted by more space and new equipment.
During the break between Summer A and Summer B, the facility's weight room underwent a series of renovations, and last Wednesday, students were able to use the completed space for the first time.
Additions include new equipment, Infinity flooring, large fans and new water fountains.
The renovations cost about $700,000. The money came from leftover funds when Southwest Rec was expanded last fall. Jessica Gates, marketing coordinator for RecSports, said the weight room now has a modern look and feel, similar to the rest of the gym.
"We wanted [the gym] to look seamless," Gates said.
The new equipment includes Iron Grip dumbbells, cable-cross cables, Iron Grip urethane plates and two Olympic lifting platforms, according to the UF Department of Recreational Sports website. While there are lifting platforms available in the athletic department for athletes, the ones in the weight room are the only ones on campus that all students can use.
"Students that have already graduated are saying how excited they are about the changes and wish they hadn't graduated so they could use [the room]," Gates said.
Because the lighting in the weight room has improved, the RecSports staff was able to make more space for popular equipment. The dumbbells are now on the opposite side of the room, and there are more squat racks available.
"The arrangement of the machines makes my workout quicker and smoother, and I have a perfect view of all the hot guys lifting weights," said Deidre Cheeves, a UF aerospace engineering sophomore. "I have a feeling a lot more girls will be using this weight room."
UF nursing junior Daniella Salazar agreed.
"[The weight room] is awesome, and I'm excited to continue using it throughout the year," Salazar said.
