Pumping up Fermilab's gym
Jeanne Koester, recreation services supervisor, plans to improve the Fermilab gym.
When Jeanne Koester took over as Fermilab's recreation services supervisor in January, she took one look at the gym and knew it could be better.
Already Koester has improved membership policy, is looking into buying more cardio equipment and is offering free aerobics classes, the first starts today at 12:15 p.m.
"If people are exercising and caring about being healthy, it's overall a good thing for the laboratory," she said. "They're going to be less likely to be sick or injured."
Koester had extensive experience in exercise and recreation services before coming to Fermilab. The first thing that she did at the laboratory was to make memberships more flexible. You can get a membership lasting one month, three months or one year from the day you start. Previously, membership started at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Koester also raised fees slightly to $100 for one year for non-students, $65 for students, $55 for three months and a one-month membership is $30. Anyone interested in trying the gym can obtain a one-day free pass.
With the money from the fee hike, Koester hopes to purchase an elliptical machine with arms and another treadmill. Currently the gym has one armless elliptical, a treadmill and three bikes. It also has a weight room, a big gymnasium with basketball courts, and a smaller workout room with a punching bag, mats, and steps. There is also a cabinet with exercise tapes that people may check out.
Koester said people typically use the on-site gym during the winter to condition for warm-weather sports. "What people really seem to like is the convenience," Koester said. "They tell me, 'If I didn't go at lunch, or before or after work, I wouldn't work out.'"
Koester will hold a free 30-minute class on the third Wednesday of every month. Workouts will vary.
The gym also hosts classes in muscle toning and Kyuki-Do, a Korean martial art. There is a yoga class at Wilson Auditorium. View a schedule of courses.
-- Kristine Crane |