The UCM Student Recreation and Wellness Center is a place where students can workout in the gym and participate in many other activities.

However, Beth Rutt, director of Student Activities, said the Recreation Center could be utilized a little more.

“I think we could have more people taking classes,” Rutt said. “I think if we would offer classes later in the evening, people would be more inclined to participate.”

She said scheduling fitness courses around a student’s class schedule is challenging. She and the staff met Sept. 24 and decided to begin having classes at 8 p.m. or later.

Rutt said she and the staff will visit with the instructors who run classes to see when they’re available. She said they will also check room reservation schedules before they decide when times will change.

Rutt said schedules will not change until the beginning of the spring semester.

“I think coming is important for the mental and physical development of students,” Rutt said. “It’s a non-threatening environment, and there are so many activities offered besides just going to the gym.”

Colter Eggemuier, a senior biology major, said he balances attending class and visiting the gym six times a week.

“I typically go right as soon as I get out of class,” Eggemuier said. “I spend about an hour there, and after that I do everything else I need to get done.”

His advice is to and a time that works. For him, going to the gym after class works. He said other times students could t the gym into their schedule could be in the morning or later at night.

Kara Smelser, a nontraditional nursing major, visits the gym four times a week, but it didn’t always used to be that way.

“I used to go once a week,” Smelser said. “I had to work in all my class schedules along with study time, but I would make additional time for the gym after that.”

She said making time that works for you is a good strategy.

Shaina Davis, a senior psychology major, tries to attend the gym five days a week, and if she has any additional time, she squeezes in another day.

“I try to come right after class,” Davis said. “I try to make coming to the gym a priority.”

She said the little things can make a difference. Even if you have an extra 30 minutes to spare, it can help. Davis said being comfortable with your exercise routine can be an important factor.

“Do what makes you happy,” Davis said.

“If you like cardio, do cardio. If you like weightlifting, then do that too.”

Rutt said time management is an import- ant factor in coming to the gym.

“One of the things that concerns me about the Rec Center is that there are some students who do not feel comfortable about coming in,” she said. “Perhaps it has something to do with the body shaming they do to themselves, and I have even heard students say, ‘It is the house of Ken and Barbie.’”

She said these Ken and Barbie students work at what they do. They didn’t come out of a manufacturing machine. They work at it like everyone else.

“Genetically, some people are built different than others,” Rutt said. “I myself don’t like going to the gym. I would rather be engaging in an activity like tennis or volleyball.”

She said another reason students should utilize the Recreation Center is because the students voted for the renovation of the existing facility. Students have to pay for the service out of their student fees and they should take advantage of it.

For more information about what the Student Recreation and Wellness Center offers, click here or call 660-543-8643.