Ruby Oswood, copy editor

Tucked into the basement of Si Melby Hall and the Kennedy Center, the Donny Wichmann Weight Room and the James Haglund Family Fitness & Recreation Center are heavily used by student-athletes and recreational gym-goers alike. The spaces that were last heavily renovated in 2006 are rarely empty, and students have a lot to say about what works, what doesn’t, and what they wish would change.

The weight room and fitness center sit only about 30 feet apart but serve slightly different purposes. The weight room often caters to athletic teams and closes to those who are not student athletes during scheduled lifts, while the fitness center remains open to everyone, even during wellness classes. Schedules are posted outside both rooms, though some students say they aren’t always clear.

Women’s lacrosse players Annie Fest and Leila Klym described the weight room as “super nice,” especially for a Division III school. They said the space is clean and well organized but can become crowded when team lifts overlap. “When this happens, there are not enough power racks for everyone,” Fest and Klym said. Teams are sometimes limited to two or three racks, which they noted can be restrictive. Both added that more variety in weights and “more concrete and visible signs of when rooms are open” would improve the experience.

Tommy Maritan shared a more neutral perspective. “There is everything, but maybe a bit too small,” he said. He also noted that some machines are old and noisy, though he generally thought the facilities got the job done.

Opinions became more animated during a group conversation with students Evan Bitengo, Evelyn Perkins, Lauren Hansen, Maya Miller, and Daniel Fapohunda. One of the first suggestions raised was the addition of a StairMaster, a sentiment Bitengo introduced and Miller and Hansen quickly agreed with. Miller also suggested adding yoga mats, a point that resurfaced multiple times. “There are not yoga mats anywhere,” Perkins said. “If you want to do core workouts, you gotta do it on the nasty-ass floor. More cleaning in general would be good.”

Bitengo proposed removing ellipticals to make room for new equipment, but Hansen and Miller were quick to defend them. “I like the ellipticals,” both said, prompting Bitengo to compromise: “Well, maybe we can keep one elliptical.” With the newly freed space, students suggested adding a StairMaster or more, newer treadmills—equipment Hansen said she particularly appreciates. Though sometimes finding an open treadmill at the fitness center could feel like a workout in itself. 

Another major concern was facility hours, especially on weekends. Several students said they wished the facilities were open longer, with one passerby expressing that later hours would allow for students with night classes to complete full workouts. Perkins emphasized Sunday access, saying, “Even a 10 to three would be so nice!” While the fitness center lists Sunday hours, students reported being asked to leave by the Department of Public Safety, and the weight room appears to be closed entirely that day.

Cleanliness and maintenance also drew criticism. Some Augsburg students said the facilities appear to be “barely cleaned,” mentioning unswept floors and lingering sweat odors. Broken machines, particularly treadmills and cable machines, were another common complaint, with one student exaggerating “everything is broken,” and repairs don’t always last.

Perkins also pointed out the unused TV screens in the fitness center. “They are just in there, black screened,” she said. “Just put something in there. […] Roku would [be] like $14.”

Despite frustrations, students continue to pack the spaces daily, a sign that the facilities matter. Whether through extended hours, updated machines or a few yoga mats, many agree that small changes could make a big difference.