This year the 64,000-square-foot Dixon Center has received a new track, free weights and treadmills.
“Everyone seems to enjoy the new equipment. The new treadmills catch people’s eye because they have the Cabrini Cavaliers logo on them,” Jessica Huda, fitness director and assistant coach of the Cabrini women’s soccer team, said.
According to Orlin Jespersen, assistant director of recreation, the track had not been replaced in 12 years and was in need of great repair. The fitness center’s benches had become torn and cracked and the free weights were purchased in 1998.
Huda said that the treadmills are on a three-year-replacement cycle. The fitness center has an annual budget that allows the staff to assess which areas need the most improvement.
Jespersen explained that special projects like the track require a year-long process. The staff must put out bids to different companies. Then they submit the request and it is reviewed by the Board of Trustees.
Huda, who has been the fitness director for the past four years, has found that the most popular aspect of the Dixon Center is the fitness center. In the past four years there has been an influx of students utilizing the facility.
The busiest times of the year at the fitness center are in August when students return to campus and January when students begin making New Year’s resolutions. Throughout the school year the fitness center is bustling between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“The Dixon Center attracts so many students because of the quality of the equipment, the convenient access and the staff is welcoming and helpful,” Jespersen said.
“I like the new treadmills because they are a lot easier to use than the old ones,” Jessica Hubal, sophomore mathematics major, said.
“The old treadmills had a 5K button which I really liked,” Dolan Ott, sophomore education major, said.
According to the Cabrini College website, the fitness center also features 18-station resistance-training area, ellipticals, Stairmasters upright and recumbent bicycles and a Concept 2 rower.
“What I am most proud of is the variety of equipment that the fitness center has to offer,” Huda said.
The Dixon Center provides students with the opportunity to participate in yoga, Pilates, sculpting, dance, Zumba, spinning, water-aerobics and self-defense classes. The center also offers personal training sessions.
There are basketball and squash courts. Students can enjoy playing volleyball and dodge-ball. Indoor rock-climbing is also available at the Dixon Center.
“I take a lot of pride in all of the new programs that the staff of the Dixon Center has brought to the campus,” Jespersen said.
According to Jespersen, within the next year students can also expect to see new carpeting and flooring.
“Overall the students really take care of the equipment and treat it like it is their own,” Huda said.
