Upon first entering the weight room, the smoke-colored machinery grabs the eye, and the Cyclone cardinal and gold seating gives it an at-home feel.

All-new weight equipment at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center has made fitness goals easier to obtain for ISU students.

“The reason that we went ahead and got new equipment was because the old equipment was 13 years old,” Recreation Services Graduate Assistant Brian Stillman said. “It was the original equipment of the building.”

As the original equipment continued to age at the Rec, technological improvements allowed weight machines to evolve in a way that conform to the human body, rather than working against it.

The selection process for the machines started with suggestions from the users of the old equipment. Benefits, condition, and price all played a factor in selection.

“Technology has changed so much,” Stillman said. “We just went ahead and looked into all the different corporations and the pieces that they offer.”

As Recreation Services narrowed down its selection, student needs continued to remain at the top of the list.

“We systematically figured out what we needed for our needs and what our patrons wanted,” Stillman said. “We then sent out bids and picked through what their prices were compared to what we wanted.”

When supplying the fitness center, recreation services chose a variety of machines and free weights. By providing different options on the equipment, users can find a machine that is comfortable and easy to use.

“The old pieces were all [manufactured by] one company,” Stillman said. “Now we have everything from four different companies.”

Despite the old equipment’s age, many people used it on a regular basis. Those who were comfortable with the aging equipment do not need to worry about adjusting to the new machines, Stillman said.

“The new models are really comparable to the older models as far as user friendliness goes,” he said. “It is a little different biomechanically, but as far as getting in and getting out, it is comparable.”

Students who used the old machines have mostly reacted positively to the new machines.

“I think [the new machines] are a lot better,” said Nick Nelson, junior in pre-advertising. “They are sturdy machines. It’s nice to have some nice equipment in here; the other ones were looking pretty raggedy.”

The first impression was a good one for Ryan Larson, sophomore in chemical engineering, who used the original machines last year.

“It’s nice,” Larson said. “There are about as many machines as there were last year.”

At least one machine didn’t make the cut into the new room.

“The disappointment I have is that there is no neck machine this year,” Larson said. “I’m guessing that people mostly didn’t use it last year.”

Even with the missing machine, Larson said he is still pleased with the results of the project.

“Everything else overall is good,” Larson said. “Overall, on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being what they had last year, I would give it at least a nine.”

Improvements around the weight room include Stride brand equipment.

“The Stride equipment is top-of-the-line equipment,” Stillman said. “There are quite a few more adjustments the user can make.”

The adjustments that are possible with the new Stride equipment may appear small, but the effects on the body are anything but little, Stillman said.

“If you put [the bench press] on the first setting, it works just like the old equipment, where the most resistance is in the middle of your push,” he said. “On the second setting, it is really easy at the beginning, and at the end it’s tough, and on the third setting it is really tough in the beginning, and then once you get through that sticky point, the end is easier.”

The new equipment needs to last Recreation Services awhile.

“We set up about a 10-year plan to see this equipment through,” Stillman said. “The cost of the equipment was paid for out of the reserve fund that the center has, and obviously, this put a pretty big dent in that fund, so over the course of the next 10 years, we want to build the reserve back up and get a cycle going.”

The purchase of new equipment was not just limited to machines. Freeweight users will notice an abundance of shiny new benches and bars for their use as well.

“Before we had five [freeweight benches], and we just bought 19,” Stillman said. “We took that one pretty seriously as well.”

The new free weights have also been received with open arms by returning students.

“As far as the free weights go, they work pretty much the same as the old ones,” Nelson said. “They do look a lot nicer, and some of the weights have a lot better support. You don’t need a spotter all the time.”

Many people enjoy entertainment while exercising, partly as a reason to extend exercise time. Recreation Services has heard that request and is working toward that goal as well.

“Hopefully sometime in the fall, this entire building will get rewired for cable,” Stillman said. “Then we will put in a cardio-theater with TVs where you can tune in on the radio frequency to pick that up.”

Stillman said the changes amounted to making a good thing better.

“We went from a pretty decent facility, as far as the equipment we had to offer, to top-notch,” he said. “Anybody who works [at the Rec] would vouch for that.”