The Physical Education Complex (PEC) can seem a convoluted place, imposing to lightweights and smokers. Let this guide help you get the most out of the PEC. After all, not only will some exercise make you a happier learner, but you pay for the PEC whether you use it or not.
—Bradley Iverson-Long
Despite what some Titular Head films may tell you, the best, safest place to play racquetball are in the courts in the center of Pfitsch Fieldhouse. Racquetball can be an enjoyable, strenuous and social workout.
“Racquetball’s fucking amazing,” said Anand Balaubrahmanyan ‘08. “You hit the ball and you don’t know where it’s going to go. It’s real fast-paced.”
Racquetball can be played in groups of two, three or four. Balaubrahmanyan currently plays in a foursome with first-years Mark D’Agostino, Kyle Tomsha and Josh Lindgren. All are relative newcomers to the game—D’Agostino began playing last week—but they all have found it an easy game to pick up.
“It’s addicting,” said Tomsha. “I played tennis for years, and tennis is so much slower paced compared to racquetball.”
Some of them have found problems with the game, though. “Racquetball makes you so, so sore,” said Lindgren. “But we keep doing it every day.”
The racquetball courts are used for more than just banging rubber balls against the wall, though. During the winter, the courts are often used by the baseball and softball teams, as well as members of Dagohir. Another group that uses the court is the ExCo yoga class taught by Laura Chesnut ‘06.
“The racquetball court’s usually empty, so I just had people in my class buy mats and we can use the hardwood floor,” Chesnut said. “It’s a closed in area, and people can’t really see what we’re doing, so it minimizes how self-conscious we get.”
So while many marvel at the equipment in the weight room, sometimes all you need for a workout is a couple of friends and a big square room with bad ventilation.
The key to the PEC is the cage. Behind its glass sliding door lies everything you need for your PEC workout, besides your gym shoes and a few Jules of energy from your sleep-deprived body.
Members of the Grinnell community can check out all the equipment necessary to play tennis, racquetball, volleyball, soccer and baseball. Beyond ball sports, they can also check out climbing shoes, workout videos and towels, which they’ll even wash for you. In addition, they can borrow locks for the locker room for a $5 collateral charge.
The new athletic center, currently under construction on the north side of 10th Avenue, will be finished in phases. The first phase, the new performance gym, will be completed on January 21, 2005, for the first home basketball game of the season. In April, an 8,000 square foot fitness center and auxiliary gym will be ready for use.
Future phases of the new athletic center include a new swimming pool and fieldhouse containing an indoor track and tennis courts, as well as a climbing wall, space for Grinnell Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), faculty and staff offices and a training room. According to Jonathan Brand, vice president of Institutional and Budget Planning, these projects will require more funding before they will be built, but should be finished within the next decade.
One of the most used and most imposing areas of the PEC is the weight room, located on the south part of Pfitsch Fieldhouse. With its myriad of machines, weights and hulking bodies using them, the weight room can easily scare off curious Grinnellians. “Some people think the PEC is just for athletes,” said Paul Bateman ‘07, a weight room monitor, “but it’s open to everybody ... I see a lot of people I know just coming in here to stay healthy and stay in shape.” And while the weight room may seem vast to those who have never touched free weights, most people feel that our weight room is not large enough. “This weight room is pretty small,” Bateman said. “My weight room in high school was twice the size as this [one].” Many students have no problem hitting the weight room. “I like it here,” said Maria Borisova ‘06. “It helps me get fit.” Others are sympathetic to some students’ fears. “I understand that it’s intimidating if the football team and soccer team are all using [the weight room],” said Eli Best ‘07, who says he uses the weight room every day. “But have a little self-confidence. No one cares if you’re not lifting as much weight as they are. Just because they’re football guys doesn’t mean they’re jerks.” Best recommends the elliptical running machines, located on the far wall of the gym, for those starting a workout regimen. “They’re a great alternative to running on a treadmill,” he said. “A lot of people come and they start running on a treadmill and then they wonder why their knees are hurting and their back’s hurting. You gotta keep it low impact.” There are options for students who would prefer a more private workout. There are several cardiovascular machines at the top of the stairs in the main gym, and there are several machines in the small workout room next to the cage.
Building hours • Monday-Friday: 6 a.m.-10:45 p.m.
Weight room hours • Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-8:45 p.m.
Pool hours • Monday-Friday 6-9 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 6:30-9 p.m.
In the cage • equipment for tennis, racquetball, volleyball, soccer and baseball |
Anxious about the PEC?
Some Grinnell students feel nervous about exercising at the PEC. The S&B asked faculty, staff and students around campus for their advice on getting over PEC anxiety.
“How foolish! I hope no Grinnell student is nervous about going to the PEC.” —Patty Johnson, administrative assistant to the director of Athletics
“Contact us, and we can get someone to show you how to use the facilities.” —Mary Kissinger, academic support assistant
“I didn’t know [PEC anxiety] was an issue on campus.” —Michael Sims, associate dean for Student Life
“I would wonder what might provoke anxiety in someone who wants to exercise. I do deal with competition-provoked anxiety, but haven’t dealt with exercise anxiety. The root of such anxiety might be fear of failure.” —William Freeman, associate professor of Physical Education and men’s cross country coach
“Just come in and give us a try. It’s a lot less intimidating than you might think. I’m here to help everyone, not just the athletes.” —Jeff Pederson ‘02, strength/conditioning coordinator, assistant football and track coach
“It’s no big deal. [The PEC] isn’t very crowded. Everybody’s really cool.” —Calvin Dane ’08, student in weight room
“You can always go and ask people for help inside the cage.” —Sam Lancaster ’08, student in weight room
“Exercise is great to relieve stress, so don’t be nervous.” —Student, lifeguard at PEC
—Information collected by Colin Reynolds |
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