At Moravian University, fitness is essential to student life, especially with a free Fitness Center equipped with various types of cardio and strength training equipment. However, there are several issues with the current structure of the Fitness Center’s hours making it challenging for night-class students such as myself to take full advantage of the facilities.

I find it challenging to make it to the Fitness Center during its limited hours, which are inconsistent and always conflict with my academic schedule. While Reeves Library stays open until 11:30 p.m., the Fitness Center’s hours are restricted, closing at 10:00 p.m. most days. This lack of operating hours at the Fitness Center hinders my ability to prioritize health and fitness.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, I have to sit down for a four-hour lecture from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. By the time I can climb up the hill next to the SMRC where numerous cars honk at me, the Fitness Center is already closing down.

Additionally, I have numerous extracurricular activities to do along with studying. Any free time I have is ripped away from me like a 1990s bully does to a kid with a bag of candy on Halloween night.

Working out improves memory recall, which is essential for exams and other daily student activities. Sure, I will study in the library for a few hours, but not all day. I’m human, not an owl. Plus, I can guarantee working out will prevent me from burning out from studying. Think of it as an elongated Pomodoro method.

Jonathan Walsh ‘27, math and computer science double major and student trustee nominee, is one student who wants the Fitness Center to be more accommodating to students. “I appreciate that [the Fitness Center] has it open at like 6 a.m.,” he said. “But for me, I’m studying till like 10 p.m. or so, so it’s not like I can get a GOOD workout in” One possible solution to this issue that my beloved brain is itching up is 24/7 access to the fitness center via ID swipe entry. This would allow students to work out at times that best fit their schedules, early in the morning, late at night, or during other off-peak hours.

While 24/7 access could present concerns, such as the potential for injuries when staff or other students won’t assist, these concerns can be mitigated. Safety protocols will be made, including clearly posted instructions, with regular equipment checks conducted by designated staff members at scheduled intervals to ensure everything remains in good working condition. 

Emergency contact systems would be established and made easily accessible, such as panic buttons, enabling students to call for help in emergencies. Additionally, students would be required to complete a safety training or orientation session before using the equipment, either in person or through an online module. This would ensure they understand proper usage and safety guidelines. To control access, a secure entry system would be in place, ensuring only authorized users can access the Fitness Center at any time.

A second possible solution would be to extend the Fitness Center’s hours to match or even exceed those of Reeves Library. Many students are already familiar with using the library late into the night, often until 11:00 p.m. or later, and the Fitness Center should be available during these hours as well. 

If you walk into Reeves Library at night, you’ll often find students spending time on their phones, scrolling through social media, or watching TikTok videos in the glass rooms. While this is a form of downtime for some, it also reflects a missed opportunity for students to engage in healthier activities. Extending the Fitness Center hours would allow students to use this late-night time for exercise, promoting both physical and mental well-being. Instead of spending hours passively consuming content, students could exercise, boosting their health, increasing their energy levels, and improving overall cognitive performance.

While the second option would make the most logistical sense, 78 students said they wanted the gym open 24/7 via an anonymous poll I conducted on the Moravian YikYak page. This is an anonymous social media platform that many students use to talk about campus life and (more often than not) vent about problems on campus. While this poll is hardly scientific, it reveals most students demand extended fitness center hours.