If you have gone to the Student Recreation Center lately, you might have had to wait in a long line that extended out of the weight room.
Although some may say the long line appears because people want to lose weight in time for swimsuit season, Campus Recreation officials say that is just a myth.
According to Juliette Moore, director of Campus Recreation, students are coming in larger numbers because there is an increased concern to stay fit.
"I think people are improving their health," Moore said. "They are starting and continuing their programs at the rec center."
The increase could also be attributed to the better marketing programs last semester by the rec center, said Emily Brower, membership desk supervisor.
In a survey conducted by the rec center last spring, nearly 85 percent of students polled said they used the center's services or facilities.
The majority of people who go to the recreation center are students. The center gets between 3,500 to 4,000 people per day. About 80 percent are students and 20 percent are staff and other gym members.
The attendance at the rec center is about the same for both semesters.
"We really didn't taper down in gym attendance throughout last semester," Moore said.
Another reason for the recreation center's busyness at the beginning of each semester is because a few hundred people come to renew their household or staff memberships. And 100 to 200 more people come to buy passes in the middle of the semester because the price is half off, said Brower.
Students also say that improving their health is the main reason they go to the rec.
"It's a nice facility and easily accessible," said Noel McKee, undeclared freshman. "I like to stay fit, plus I go with a friend. So it's relaxing and I like to socialize."
Students who don't go to the rec often said they want to return because they are concerned about their health.
"I kind of stopped coming last semester, and I wanted to come back to start getting healthy," said Richard Stevens, psychology senior.
"This is the first time I've been here for a couple of months," said Matthew Krueger, economics and mathematics freshman. "I'm a little guilty for sitting on my butt at home during break. I'm working out to get healthy, not for the upcoming spring break."
The busiest time of the recreation center seems to be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., said Moore.
"After 8 to midnight or early in the morning is when the Rec center is not so busy," Moore said. "Come then if you don't want to wait in line."