By Jeff Rost

Buffalo State College students are staying in shape for free , thanks to the on- campus fitness center.

The fitness center, inside Houston Gym (http://www.buffalostate.edu/tour/), opened in September 2002 and it provides students with cardiovascular and strength training exercise equipment.

“ It's great! I workout on the same machines that I would have to pay a membership for at a local gym,” says Ashley Szpila, Buffalo State student.

Ryan Marranca, a fitness center employee, believes that the fitness center at Buffalo State is equal to other fitness centers or gyms in the surrounding area. Because, he said, it offers similar machinery and recreational services.

Even though the center is free to all undergraduate students, Szpila has no concerns with there being overcrowding.

“Every time I go there, no matter what time, I can find a machine to work-out on,” said Szpila.

Breaks in-between classes is longer a problem for junior Joe Tomczak. Tomczak now passes time on his breaks by going to the fitness center.

Tomczak had one complaint. He wishes people would wipe down the machinery after using it.

If working out on exercise equipment doesn't appeal to you, the fitness center offers free recreational classes. Recreational classes offered (for times and date please see the bulletin board outside the fitness center) include:

•  pilates

•  tae bo

•  karate

•  aikido

•  dodgeball

•  basketball

All that is required for use of the fitness center is the completion of a membership form ( http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics/studentfit.pdf ), and a valid student ID. For fitness center hours and rates for those who are not undergraduate students, go to http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics/facilities/index.asp?sub=info#fitness .

Email: rostjw06@mail.buffalostate.edu