“The Estrogym” vs. “Hardcore Hart”
Published: Friday, February 8, 2013
Updated: Sunday, February 10, 2013 17:02
As if the seemingly never ending hills on campus weren’t enough to
tone your legs and backsides, the struggle with most females here at
Holy Cross is deciding which fitness facility to use to get in a workout. It’s hard enough to get the motivation to even go to the gym. Now females, like myself, are forced to choose between the ever-crowded, boy infested Hart Center or the gym in the basement of Loyola.
Comically known as the “estrogym,” this female-friendly fitness center in Loyola houses an array of ellipticals, bikes, treadmills, and
machines. There is a matted area designated for abdomen workouts and stretching. The layout is large and open, so you never feel squished or claustrophobic. It feels more like a home private gym with uniform machinery and a wall of wooden cubbies to hold your ever-trendy Lululemon warm-up jackets and water bottles. It’s smaller than Hart and usually a lot less crowded. I appreciate the quiet environment
because it’s a lot less hectic and stressful and allows me to focus on
my workout.
The mostly girl inhabited gym is the perfect place for the self
conscious runner who would like to get in a self-paced workout without
the pressures of keeping up with the sweaty, muscular frequents at
Hart. Making sure you look good while running in front of a crowd of boys is a work out in itself. That’s why I always feel so much more
comfortable and focused at Loyola, allowing me to get the best work
out possible. It’s a pretty relaxed atmosphere, so even if you aren’t
the most dedicated of athletes, you’ll fit right in. If I’m tired from
a workout, I never feel embarrassed jumping off a treadmill after 15
or so minutes. There’s no pressure to be “hardcore” and no expectation to leave the gym with a pool of sweat on your shirt. It’s basically up
to you how little or how much you want to work out, without the
pressures of having to impress anyone. It is probably the most
stress-free facility I have ever used, and I feel absurdly comfortable
whenever I go.
Each machine has its own TV on the screen with a headphone plug for individual viewing while you work out. What could possibly be better than watching Sean Lowe and his washboard abs on the bachelor while strutting on the elliptical? Nothing, nothing is better. It definitely helps time pass as you perform your seemingly endless workout. Loyola gym is honestly a hidden gem on campus. It’s a quick walk from easy street with quick access to Kimball if you feel you’ve earned some food after your workout. It’s quite, comfortable, and has
everything you need for a good workout. Although you don’t get the perks of sneaking a peek at a varsity lift session like you would at
Hart, Loyola gym is the best place for a workout on campus.
Loyola gym is not exclusive to females, so guys, if you’re interested in working out amongst self-empowered and well-kept ladies, it may be time for you to make the switch from Hart.
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