Students getting fit, tan for spring break
Students are pulling out all their last-minute preparations to be ready for their upcoming spring break vacations.
One of those major preparations includes a trip to the Student Activity Center to use the treadmills, abdominal machines and weight benches.
Students are doing this to get into that “perfect shape” before they leave for their spring break vacations – many of which require wearing a bathing suit.
Stan Shingles, director of University Recreation, said he has definitely noticed an increase in students working out in the past few weeks.
“A lot of it results from the resolutions that are made for the New Year and for the students making the transition from the weather being cold,” Shingles said.
Shingles said the SAC’s busiest time is from November through March and the volume increase is probably 35 to 40 percent.
“This year seems to be more packed than ever before,” he said.
He said there also has been a significant increase in the SAC’s group fitness programs, including cycling, aerobics and mind/body classes.
Grand Rapids sophomore Tim Nieboer said he is going to Colorado for his spring break to snowboard.
He said he is not worried about hitting the gym hard this week because he is not going to be lying on any beaches during break.
Nieboer, who goes to the SAC about two to three times a week, said he usually sees the same people working out at the SAC, but has been noticing a lot of newcomers as of late.
“It’s crazy. People are going somewhere warm for spring break, so they want to lose some extra weight before getting into their swimsuit,” Nieboer said.
Like the SAC, tanning salons around Mount Pleasant also have seen a jump in business.
Liz Gaynor, manager of B-Tan, 1620 S. Mission St., said she has noticed a drastic increase in the number of students visiting her business the past few weeks.
“They don’t want to burn over break, so they come here and get a base tan,” Gaynor said.
St. Clair Shores junior Agata Kopacz is going to Acapulco, Mexico for spring break, so she said she is trying to get as much tanning in as possible before she leaves.
“I normally tan, but I’m going extra now,” Kopacz said.
Kopacz said she has noticed the tanner she goes to, B-Tan, has gotten a lot busier in the past few weeks.
