Gyms providing fanatics free fitness
by Diana De Leon

      Joining a gym will take a lot of money every month, but TCC students can exercise in a variety of ways free of charge.

      All four campuses have gyms that include weight and cardio-vascular rooms (CVRs).

     Three of the campuses have swimming pools and two campuses have racquetball courts.

      All rooms, machines and pools are free to credit students with a valid photo ID or student ID, and some gyms want to see a copy of your class schedule.

      Students not currently enrolled in a physical education class can use all gym facilities when academic classes are not in session.

      Students can play basketball, volleyball or ping pong with equipment checked out using their photo ID.

      Fall hours include Fridays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on SE Campus, 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on NW and NE campuses and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on South Campus.

      Fall hours also include Saturdays on three campuses with NW open 8 a.m.-4 p.m., SE open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and NE open 8 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

      NW has a pool that is half the size of an Olympic pool while NE has six racquetball courts with an overhead viewing area and a large pool that graduates from three and one-half feet to 12 feet in depth.

      SE and South campuses also have a pool, but the pool on South is closed indefinitely because of construction.

      The Board of Trustees voted last week to demolish the current structure and to rebuild the facility on South Campus.

      All four campuses have weight rooms with free, machine and stationary weights with NE Campus having two weight rooms. CVRs with treadmills, rowing machines, stair-steppers and other types of machines are also on all campuses with the NW Campus offering two CVRs.

      Students must remember that while all four gyms are open to them, it is only during non-academic hours.

      For instance, free swim on NE Campus this fall is scheduled for 3:10-4 p.m.

      Students can check with their campus gym for CVRs, weight and pool hours free of academic classes.

      Non-credit students can join the NE Campus recreational swim and fitness club for $55 per individual and $75 for two adults. This membership allows non-credit students to use all gym facilities, swimming pool, racquetball courts, weight room and equipment.

      Non-credit students must also work their exercise time around scheduled academic classes.

      Students need not join an expensive gym when they are already on a campus that offers its facilities to students free of charge.

      Fitness is only a few steps away on any campus. Staff are available to assist with machines and weights.