The new Matrix cardio machines allow students to do interval-based training during their workouts. PHOTO CREDIT: Maddie Bataille
Ahead of the spring semester, the University of Rhode Island and its gym facilities decided to begin the new year with some new equipment.
Cardio machines at both the Anna Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center and Mackal Fieldhouse were upgraded during the winter break for students to use to accomplish their fitness goals in the new year. This decision is routine as the university takes steps to upgrade certain areas of its gym equipment every few years, according to Coordinator of Fitness, Health and Well-Being Courtney Mackey.
“For this year, we focused on cardio equipment, swapping out that cardio equipment and replacing it,” Mackey said. “We try to do that every three to four years because it gets heavy usage by all of our students.”
The acquisition of new cardio machines had to go through the University, and with a budget set in place, Mackey knew how much she had available for use to do this purchase.
“Our directors put together our budget for the department for each year, then it sort of gives me the magic number of what I need to work with.” Mackey said. “Ultimately, the university approves of how much money we are able to spend on equipment and the purchasing process too.”
The school decided to go with two brands – Matrix and Life Fitness – in order to keep things consistent between the two fitness centers. The new Life Fitness machines have yet to arrive, but the new Matrix machines allow you to do interval-based training. One of the workouts that you can do with interval-based training is called “sprint eights.” When “sprint eight” is selected, the participant will begin a 20-minute workout in which you sprint eight times for 30 seconds each time, with cool-down and recovery time in between sprints. “Sprint eight” automatically sets the speed and incline based on intervals.
Employees are even enjoying the new options that the new cardio machines provide.
“I think they’re pretty popular,” an employee said. “There’s usually a lot of people that come in and use them. They’re definitely an upgrade [and] they are actually way smoother than our old machines and have a lot of cool features too.”
This year it was the cardio equipment that was taken care of, but according to Mackey, the strength equipment will be receiving a boost as well in the near future.
“There’s a certain focus every year, like I said cardio this year, next year [it] will be strength equipment that we’ll be able to put money into replacing,” Mackey said. “It’s kind of a timeline that keeps repeating every few years of equipment that gets replaced.”