Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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BATTLE OF THE SEXES obvious gender divide at two most popular gyms As students, we spend so many hours a week sitting in classrooms taking notes, completing projects, and pulling all-nighters to study for exams that we barely have any time for ourselves. But, we still seem to find the time to get out of bed at odd hours of the day (or night) and trek our way to the gym. And why do we do this? Ls it to lose weight for the parties we attend on the weekend? Is it to prepare for batliing suit season approaching? Or is it just to be healthy? With two different gyms on campus and free access for all Temple University students and administration, campus offers plenty of equipment suital lc for everyone. Ixx-ated right on tl»c edge of campus is the Independence Blue Cross Recreation Center (IBC) and Temple University Fitness (TUF). Most boys tend to be more interested in going to IBC because of the better weight lifting options and most gids tend to prefer working out at TUF over IBC. There is more equipment and heavier weights for a more advanced lifter.” said junior Nicholas Youssef, regarding why he dioses the IBC. Students have noticed that both gyms do offer a variety of workout tods, but seem to be more interested in one gym over another because of die muscles or l ody parts they are trying to improve for themselves. “Although cardio is a big part of my physical fitness, so Ls weight training, and the IBC provides that much more than TUF does,” said sophomore Michael Czerniakowski. 'I'he motivation behind the gym is different for every person. One boy claimed to l e interested in going to TUF because he can get a work out in and meet girls. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. “I go to TUF to stay in shape so 1 can eat whatever I want. And, all the girls go there,” said junior Andre Sapp. If there is not a reason behind it, there seems to lx a pattern with the gym that boys choose and the gym that girls choose. “There’s more space for abs. It’s more cardio oriented which means there will lx gids,” said junior Jordan I .a Spada. But, most boys choose IBC because of the weight lifting options drat TUF lacks. Girls prefer TUF because of the treadmill machines and elliptical, but IBC docs offer classes that spark the interest of a lot of girls. It is a fun way to get a work out in with your friends or even by yourself. “I go to Pilates every Wednesday because it’s not a high intensity workout but it actually works a lot of muscles and leaves me feeling accomplished and also it’s very relaxing,” said sophomore Haley Kuhns. “It’s all really just to look better.” The gym is a place where | eop!c are going to better themselves and some students liave found that having a social aspect makes working out even better. “I actually go to IBC. It’s closer to my bouse and all my friends go there. I actually have some guy friends that go there too and they help me lift, so it’s all right,” said junior Alexandra Snell. 'I'he goal is to improve our own physical appearance while at the gym and that was a statement that both boys and girls could agree on. “We go to die gym and work out for everyone around us. It’s so true, we do it to impress everyone else but we should just be trying to impress ourselves,” said junior Amy O’Neill. “It just doesn’t work like that.” MARIS V fuller