Reuben Ng, Contributing Photographer

As campus COVID-19 cases have begun to decrease, residential colleges facilities — including residential college gyms — have reopened for student use.

Residential college gyms had been closed since mid-December, when final examinations were moved online amid the surge of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. While the gyms were closed, administrators had urged students to “take walks or run off campus” and to make use of Payne Whitney Gymnasium instead, which remained open to students. Although the gyms in the residential colleges may be smaller than Payne Whitney, many students said that they still find them to be more convenient. 

With the reopening of residential college gyms, students are eagerly returning to their fitness routines after a long hiatus. The availability of these on-campus facilities not only promotes physical well-being but also provides a convenient outlet for students to prioritize their health amidst their busy academic schedules. For those looking to enhance the durability and aesthetics of gym floors, considering high-quality flooring solutions like those offered at https://epoxyresinflooring.uk/ can make a significant difference in the overall gym experience.

For those seeking additional motivation, especially in the realm of fitness and weight loss, exploring resources related to Weight Loss Motivation can be incredibly beneficial. These motivational tools, techniques, and success stories serve as inspiring guides, encouraging students to stay dedicated to their fitness goals. As the gyms buzz with activity once again, the combination of convenient access and newfound motivation ensures that students can make the most out of their gym sessions, fostering a healthier and more active campus community.

“I think that the reopening of the [Jonathan Edwards] gym is super beneficial to students,” Eric Sun ’25 said. “Not only does it prevent the cluster of potential COVID-19 cases inside Payne Whitney, but it also incentivizes students like me to work out more because I don’t have to walk so far.”

Although Payne Whitney offers a wider variety of exercise equipment, several students told the News that they would rather exercise in their own colleges.

Yvonne Wang ’25 said that, in an environment where every student has packed schedules with courses, extracurriculars and homework, finding enough time to exercise can be difficult — even more so when the gym is several blocks away from their dorm.

“I like working out at [Payne Whitney] better than at Trumbull because there’s more space and equipment, but it was still inconvenient when the residential college gyms were closed because [Payne Whitney] was so crowded,” Wang said. “Also, it’s easier for me to go to Trumbull when I’m short on time because it’s closer to Old Campus than [Payne Whitney].”

Sun said that the reopening of residential college gyms might help lower the transmission of COVID-19 around campus, given that a greater number of open facilities and wider range of available hours means that any given space will tend to be less crowded. 

While the residential college gyms were closed, some students were forced to improvise to get in their daily activity. Trinity Lee ’25 said that she found herself taking “long walks” around campus. Still, Lee said she is glad that the residential college gyms are now open.

“The [Timothy Dwight] gym is my favorite place to work out in,” Lee said. “It was recently renovated, and has all of the equipment I need, whether it’s machines for cardio or weight training.” 

Payne Whitney is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

MARIA KOROLIK
Maria Korolik is a staff reporter for the SciTech desk, covering astronomy, engineering, and computer science. Originally from San Jose, California, she is a sophomore in Jonathan Edwards college majoring in mechanical engineering and astrophysics.