The four fitness centers at Virginia State University equal 80,000 square feet total, which is 26 times the size of the UA center. Yet, VSU students pay five times that of UA students. No one is asking for 80,000 square feet of space. Library officials have been unsuccessful in their two-year quest for another storage space. College students struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle while studying and writing papers.
Exercise decreases the chemicals in the brain involved in the regulation of emotions.
Low-intensity exercise can decrease levels of anxiety and depression. Students now may be adding more anxiety to their overly stressed body while visiting the fitness center. It is hard to relax while waiting for exercise or weightlifting equipment to become available. The UA fitness center can spark a slight case of claustrophobia when an abundance of students are crammed into a small space overstocked with barbells and Stairmasters. Private fitness centers across Northwest Arkansas require substantial joining fees and monthly rates that most college students are unable to afford, let alone have the time to visit.