The Fashion of Fitness

A Rhetorical Analysis of Purdue University’s Colby Fitness Center

By Claire Crookston

Purdue University’s RSC Colby Fitness CenterStudents and Faculty are encouraged

to use the RSC (Recreational Sports Center) Colby Fitness Center as a means to workout on a daily basis

www.purdue.edu

The design of the RSC, or the “co-rec”, has an affect on the way it is used and the decisions exercisers make

General Design & Layout

Colby is split up into 4 main sectionsSelectorized Machines, Free Weights,

Cardio Equipment, Free MotionThis set up makes exercisers’ routines

have more structure and makes it easier for them to maneuver throughout the gym

Selectorized Machines There are 31 different machines to exercise legs,

arms, chest and abdominal muscles

With correct training from the RSC staff, exercisers can build and tone their muscle mass in a controlled and safe setting

Analysis: The selectorized machines are aligned in rows

with ample room between them so other members can walk past without interrupting

These machines are located towards the back of the gym behind the cardio equipment This may be due to the routine of many

workouts that require cardio exercises to be done before lifting weights

They are never all occupied at the same time or by one specific genderThis may be due to a level of intimidation of

learning how to use them correctly or personal preference

Free Weight Equipment There are 37 different kinds of free

weights used for lifting

These are different than selectorized machine lifting because they are not connected to a frame bolted to the ground

Analysis: The free weight section primarily consists of

menThis may be due to the workouts that usually

pertain to males, such as lifting heavy weights to increase body mass

There are mirrors covering the walls surrounding the gym which are used for spotting and keeping good posture while lifting

The free weights are a lot more risky to use because they aren’t attached to the floor through a frame The right side of the gym has a hard rubber

floor so the heavy free weights don’t ruin the floor incase they are dropped

Cardiovascular Equipment The majority of the fitness center is made up of cardio equipment There are 94 different machines including treadmills,ellipticals, and

stationary bikes

Analysis: The cardiovascular section is located on the left

side of the gym and the majority of members using the machines are women Women tend to use cardio machines over

heavy lifting to tone and burn calories instead of bulking up like men tend to do

There are often lines for machines during busy hours of the day An unspoken rule: make two lines- onefor the elliptical machinesand one for the treadmills

The machines are all facing 10 different TVs so exercisers can watch different channels while they workout

Free Motion Machines The free motion machines are in the center of the

facility to attract students to a new kind of weight lifting

They are spread a part so that there is enough room for a full rep without running into the person next to you

They are different from the regular selectorized machines because the cable is free from the base and it allows you to have a bigger range of motion while lifting

www.purdue.edu

Analysis:These machines are usually

popular with both men and womenThere are mirrors in front of the

machines to help keep the right form because it can be harder without as much stability

They are a new type of machine and attract more students who are looking to tone their muscles in different ways

The Co-rec Wasn’t Always This Way… It was first built in 1957 and has been

updated little by little as the years go by

www.purdue.edu

Today, the RSC is fundraising to try to get an entirely new fitness facility with state of the art machines and new structure

This addition would be greatly appreciated by Purdue’s students and staff