Fitness Center

At Franklin College we seek to foster the development of the mind, body and spirit through education, cultural discourse, travel and pathways leading to healthy lifestyles and choices. Many students arrive on campus accustomed to the convenience of an advanced workout facility such as the local Y, a private gym, an athletic club or country club. Such centers usually provide weight resistance equipment, cardio equipment and space for martial arts, yoga, Pilates or aerobics classes. These facilities also provide changing and shower facilities.

Going away to college is usually the first time students have lived independently away from home. Research demonstrates that the lifestyle choices and habits that students form during this time will be carried out for the remainder of their lives—a good reason for providing an environment that encourages healthy living and exercise. Currently our students must go off-campus to take advantage of a fully equipped exercise facility. A fitness center located on campus would provide the following benefits:

• Cost savings: Students would not be required to pay for club memberships.
  
• Time savings: They would not waste precious time traveling to and from off-campus locations when they could instead use that time to study, visit the library or volunteer on campus.
• Convenience: How many gym memberships are signed each year in January only to see a vast decline in attendance two or three months later? If it is convenient, students are much more likely to use the facility.
  
• Social interaction: An on-campus fitness center would provide another venue for social interaction amongst students of different nationalities, further enhancing the inter-cultural experience.
• Stress management: Exams, social life, internships, jobs, professors, finances – these are just a few of the things that add stress to a student’s life. It is well known that regular exercise helps to reduce the effects of stress and increases endorphins in the brain.

Fitness Center: $250,000

For more information about the Fitness Center, please contact the Office of Advancement.