Cody Jacobucci Visits the
Z Center
Z Center
WARMUP
MIT #getswol
The Solutions:
About
Time to work it all out!
Utilizing the 3rd Floor:
If the 3rd floor space was revitalized it could help with the crowding issue and further reduce wait times. If some of the old machines that never get used were replaced with squat racks, or even replaced with the newer machines on the 2nd floor that no one ever uses so more squat racks could be added on the 2nd floor. The machine section of the 2nd floor is highly underutilized:
Note: These pictures were also taken within 5 minutes of the crowded photo of the gym! Clearly there is some imbalance!
Better Day Lockers on the 2nd Floor:
A few ideas to improve the day locker situation:
- Add coat hangers in the locker rooms or at the gym so that lockers are not filled with 1 article of clothing. Even using the third floor as a coat/baggage check would probably be a better utilization of the space!
- Make the lockers opaque so that people can see if something is already in there.
- Place little knobs to turn on the lockers to indicate if the locker is “Taken” or “Vacant”. I call this the Lock-o-Potty.
- Since no one wants to use real locks, install lockers with either a) a lock that can be activated by an individual’s card and only unlocked by the same card when the user is done or it has been over 2 hours (to prevent misuse of people intentionally locking a locker without using it) or b) an LED you can turn by tapping your ID to show that it is taken.
- A sign that says: “Leave the door open when done!” Open lockers would be more obvious, but I am sure people would still check all lockers without locks if none were open.
Conclusion:
There a few things that need some work at the Z. Many interviewees said that they changed their workout time just to avoid gym crowding. The machines on the 2nd floor are not used and over half of the people interviewed (gym regulars) did not even know there was a 3rd floor with machines and cardio equipment. The locker situation is also very frustrating in the winter and could be improved with a little investment. I think the biggest improvements that could be made based on the interviews are: Move the machines (not cables) on the 2nd floor and put them on the third floor to allow more space for squat racks/multifunctional equipment. 2nd, but less imporant, is to do something about the day lockers on the 2nd floor so they can be better utilized for patrons. Nothing is worse than bringing your stuff up only to find you have to walk back downstairs to the locker room to lock up your valuables.
All that said, I love the Z. Over the past 5 years, I have spent so much time there. We have been together through 9 semesters of finals, PSETs, and projects, and it still hasn't left. Every now and then I might take a break from the Z for a while as classes pick up, but the Z is alwasy there with open, jacked arms once I come back. The workers are great, the facility is awesome, and I am extrmemly thankful that we have fitness center like this to stay healthy and release the stresses of student life.
