Campus Rec facility traffic increases after New Year's

As students try to honor their New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, UNC’s workout facilities feel the burn.

Each January, there is an increase in the number of people who go to indoor facilities on a daily basis, Campus Rec employees said.

“It’s about New Year’s resolutions and the extra time that people have the first week or two of school,” said Jordan Albertson, facility manager of Rams Head Recreation Center.

Albertson said the rush causes more work for both the operational and cleaning staff.

“It definitely makes the job more difficult,” Albertson said.

He said employees have to pay more attention to the people working out to make sure everyone is safely using the facility’s equipment.

Emails were even sent out before winter break to remind employees to be prepared for the crowds in January, said sophomore Hannah Leonard, a Rams Head Recreation Center employee.

“We were told to be ready to work and be available to those working out,” she said.

The increased workout traffic also wears out the exercise equipment faster, said Reggie Hinton, director of the Student Recreation Center.

“The demand on the equipment causes more malfunctions,” he said.

Albertson said the department does not hire more employees or give extra shifts during the January rush. The only cost comes from preparing the facilities.

“We maintain the same employee schedule, so payroll is the same,” he said. “In the beginning of the semester we have everything in good shape and we spend money on new equipment to make the facilities look nice.”

But New Year’s is not the only event that changes the number of people who go to the gym.

“It goes in cycles,” said senior Christina Borbas, Rams Head Recreation Center employee.

“First there’s an increase from New Year’s resolutions, then again for Spring Break. But there’s a definite drop during midterms.”

The rush also creates more demand for the equipment, which has caused frustration for some of the regular gym members, said Zach Bijesse, a freshman who works at the Student Recreation Center.

“Mainly the people who lift (weights) complain because they have routines,” he said.

Christine Pilato, a sophomore who said she works out throughout the year, said she tries to avoid the rush.

“I try to come around less-crowded times. I work my schedule around coming then,” she said.

Although the rush causes more work at the beginning of each semester, Albertson said employees look forward to the increased numbers.

“It’s exciting for the staff to come in and have people working out,” he said.

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