The Health Science Center’s new fitness center — Bluff Creek Towers Fitness Center, located at 4201 Medical Dr., Suite 160 — is now offering memberships to Health Science Center faculty, staff, medical residents and their families.

President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., (center) recently joined the Health Science Center’s new fitness center. He presented his check to Lisa McDougle (left) and Ben Rivers (right).
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President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., became the first faculty/staff member to join the fitness center on June 8. “I’m there!” President Cigarroa exclaimed as he handed over his fee. “The new center is very convenient, especially after a long day. I like to ride the bike and lift weights,” he said.

Amenities
“Exercising is a great way to stay in shape,” Ben Rivers, assistant director of wellness and recreational sports, said. “We have brand-new equipment and offer an initial consultation with a personal trainer.”

The Bluff Creek Towers Fitness Center is a big improvement over the current gym, and was established because of the high demand for usage and much-needed expansion. The center offers 5,446 square feet of space which includes treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, ARC trainers and 12 machine weights. Men and women’s locker rooms are available with sinks, showers and day-use lockers. Specialty classes, such as kickboxing, tango, belly dancing and hip-hop, are offered for a fee. General aerobic classes are free with a fitness center membership. Additional classes and equipment will be added in the near future. Parking is free.

Hours of operation:
Monday through Thursday — 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday — noon to 8 p.m.

Membership
“Part of the new university strategic initiative is to increase health and wellness,” Lisa McDougle, director of student life, said. “We see this as one way of working toward that goal.”

Faculty, staff and residents are invited to join. Spouses and children age 18 and older may also join, but they must be accompanied by the Health Science Center member while at the fitness center.

Fee
Memberships are $240 per fiscal year (Sept. 1 through Aug. 31), but summer rates are $20 per month and are a great way to try out the fitness center before full-year memberships begin. The annual fee must be paid in full when signing up and may be prorated upon registration. Free T-shirts are available while supplies last. Members also may sponsor up to two guests on a daily basis for $5 per person. The primary member must accompany guests to the fitness center. Students memberships are free, because their fee is included in the student services fee.

Applications
Membership applications are available from the Student Life Office, located in the School of Medicine, Room 314L, and by contacting Rivers. Cash and checks are accepted for payment. Because membership is limited to 500 members, signing up soon is encouraged.