Working out has become a norm for many McDaniel student. Merritt Fitness Center is usually filled with students looking to improve their physical health or relieve any kind of stress they may have accumulated throughout the day.
While Merritt Fitness Center has its perks for students, there are also downsides. Namely, it’s just plain small. The most common complaints about Merritt Fitness Center include overcrowding and its closing time of 11 p.m. throughout the week. For night owls who prefer working out at odd hours, or having breathing space during 5 o’clock rush, other fitness centers, like Planet Fitness, prove to be the perfect solution.
Diet and health has become a major concern for many students, as many of us have experienced the Freshman 15 and beyond. According to a study done by Auburn University, many college students gain weight. Health.com writer Amy Connor reported that “70 [percent] of them packed on [an average of 12, and up to 37 pounds] by graduation.”
With a large selection of cardio equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers and arc trainers, Planet Fitness has the space and equipment vital to maintaining physical health. The gym also has free weights, Smith machines, and cable-weighted machinery to even out the gymming experience.
Located in the same strip mall as Chick-fil-a and Little Caesar’s Pizza, Planet Fitness of Westminster is a safe haven for people of all shapes and sizes to work out 24 hours, seven days a week, and 364 days a year (Christmas is the only closing day for the gym).
Planet Fitness of Westminster creates a “judgement free zone” for gym goers, and students have responded positively to that mantra. Ashanti Grey, a McDaniel College senior, has been going to the gym for about a year now and says “Planet Fitness is friendly to my pockets, clean, has all the equipment I need, and it’s 24 hours, what’s not to love?”
Another proponent of the gym is that it is cost-effective to college students. With memberships as low as $10 per month, Planet Fitness is ideal for students looking to workout whenever they’d like and not break the bank.
Joining the gym can be done online or by visiting the gym in person, every membership comes with a free t-shirt or gym bag upon signing up.
