For so many people, working out is not just something they do to remain fit. It is an outlet and a way of life. I look forward to going to the gym every day, and some days the thought of going to the gym is the only thing that can get me out of bed.

“I look at going to the gym as my detox time,” said sophomore exercise science major Anika Nguyen. “It’s my escape from reality and what gets me through the day.”

Working out is crucial for so many people, and luckily, Piedmont offers a gym for free. It has everything from free weights to racks to different machines, as well as an indoor track. It is also super beneficial for all athletic teams. With the help of the new strength and conditioning coach, John Delf-Montgomery, all athletics teams can get designated workouts specifically for them.

That being said, the gym itself is pretty small. Overcrowding in the gym happens daily because athletes and non-athletes are forced to share the gym. Senior psychology major Aubree Yancey has been on both sides of this issue, as she was a volleyball player until her senior year.

“There are a lot of us that aren’t athletes that use the gym, and we have to rework our workouts and our plans because the gym is so packed,” said Yancey. “Getting a gym specifically for the athletes would not only clear up space for everybody, but it would encourage a lot more people to go to the gym.”

There have been rumors of building a new gym specifically for the athletes; however, not much progress has been made towards making that dream a reality. The Mize Athletic Center has a training facility specifically for athlete recovery and athletic trainers. However, it does not have the necessary equipment for a structured team workout.

“When I see other people in there, and my whole team is taking up the gym, I feel really bad,” said senior biology major and soccer player Katelyn Smith. “I feel like a hypocrite. I’m in there with my team, but at the same time, I know these people are working out on their own time, and we’re taking up the whole gym.”

Our frustration is not towards one another nor the school. Our frustration revolves around the same thing: the lack of space in the gym. Whether it is on our own time or with our teams, we’re all there for one thing; to better ourselves physically. How can we do that when we hardly have room to move around each other? It is no secret that getting another gym will take a lot of time and money, but it could be so beneficial in the future. It will encourage more people to get in the gym, and with COVID-19, a second gym will also help with safety precautions.

As a community at Piedmont, we are so thankful for the gym we have now, but how long can we keep this up? We need another gym.