A guide to the weight room: what you need to know to stay active

By CARLY CHELOVITZ

Is the freshman 15 weighing you down? Are you looking for a way to stay healthy and fit on campus without having to join a sports team? Then the Pamplin weight room is the place to go. Equipped with treadmills, dumbbells, medicine balls, and so much more, this place offers options for everyone to get or stay in shape throughout the year. If you, a roommate, or even a professor are looking for a great place to revitalize during the gray winter months, this article will point you in the right direction.

The weight room is located on the lower level of the Pamplin Sports Complex, directly inside the doors from the football field. If you enter from the main entrance, take a left and head down the stairs at the end of the hallway. The weight room will be the first door on your left. Pamplin also boasts  their own training room, directly past the weight room. If you are a varsity athlete and have a sports or exercise related injury, you can sign up for massages here and even consult a physical therapist if you feel you are in need of a therapy program. If you are not an athlete and feel sore post workout, you can use the training room on your own to stretch, roll out, or grab an ice pack for immediate relief.

Along with ample dumbbells and equipment, the weight room also has a strength and conditioning coach, Angela Dendas. Dendas, commonly know as “Ang,” will write a workout of the day on the dry erase board behind the front desk everyday. This is great for those new to the weight room — it can take away the stress of going to the weight room without an idea of what to do, as well as direct you towards new and different exercises to try. And, if you still aren’t completely confident, you can approach any weight room employee with questions on the exercises or your technique. For those of you who are not looking to try heavy lifting anytime soon, the weight room is equipped with treadmills and lighter weights for more aerobic exercises. You can also grab a yoga mat at the door and just use your own body weight!

If you are looking to spice up your weekly routine, change your lifestyle, or just blow off some steam with friends, then the Pamplin weight room is a great place to be.