SRSC reopened on August 28th for IU students only. It was closed for a few months from mid-March until August 28th to redesign the spaces inside with gym equipment due to Covid-19. All the types of equipment now allow students to exercise 6 feet away from each other and there is staff checking and controlling numbers of people inside the gym of each section such as the first-floor lifting area. For safety reasons, SRSC decided to pause on team sports to keep everyone separated and redesigned those spaces of team sports by placing cardio machines in basketball courts and volleyball courts. And lastly, SRSC instructs students not to ever take their masks off unless they are in the swimming pool and always make sure to clean their workout area after-use with the spray and wipe for the next person to use.
Shelby Smith is explaining about changes due to Covid-19 and new programs for students at the SRSC.
According to the SCRC’s Shelby Smith, there are many students who came to the SRSC during the cleaning time without recognizing updated time hours. She also explained that 2 hours cleaning time break is really important at the SRSC to make sure every participant inside the gym stays safe and the workout areas are clean even though people clean after-use.
Shelby Smith is explaining the reasons why team sports exercises are closed but the swimming pool is open.
Due to safety reasons, all team sports exercises are shut down to avoid any physical contact between participants and to keep everyone 6 feet away from each other. Team sports such as basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, yoga and racquetball are closed on the first floor and indoor track on the second floor is also closed to reduce social interactions. However, the swimming pool is open and it’s the only place where students don’t have to wear a mask. Because there are entrance and exit separated on two different sides in the area, there won’t be direct physical contacts between swimmers. All the changes were made to create a safe environment for students to work out.
IU Swimmer James Schuman is having an honest opinion about using the swimming pool as an IU Student and TJ Moran is telling how it feels like to work out with the mask on and using equipment inside the gym.
People are not used to wearing a mask and it’s inconvenient to wear it while working out, however, it’s for everyone’s safety and as long as people follow the rules then there will be fewer possibilities of getting Covid-19 and more emphasis on havin a safe work out.
The SCRC staff says students need to understand and respect the rules at the SRSC due to Covid-19. It’s always important to remember safety is the number one priority for everyone at the gym. Though working out with a mask on makes it harder to breathe and harder to perform strenuous exercise, masks are mandatory and wearing a mask is not just for yourself, it’s for everybody.
For more information such as updated hours and upcoming schedule, you can always check out IU Recreational Sports Website: https://recsports.indiana.edu/home.php
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