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Barash, Ross
ENG 101
Ms. Bucolo
8 September 2014
The Fitness Complex-ity
The gymnasium, athletic center, exercise room, fitness complex, etc. Many names, one
purpose. The Arizona State University Tempe campus houses the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, or
better known as the SDFC. As one passes by this immense, architectural edifice, they may very
well notice a small metropolis inside the already downsized booming college community. The
utter diversity of the SDFC ultimately led to my decision of thoroughly observing it. Although,
due to the size and variety of the different quarters held inside, I decided to focus mainly on the
weight lifting room, one of the most bustling spaces in which people physically engage in
activity. Through examination, the general population became visible, determined students
attend in conjunction with the commonly-known fit elite. The extensive variety of students
triggers the positive and energizing community atmosphere, incentivizing all to push themselves
in order to become healthier and more attractive individuals.
Its no secret that the weight room is the most popular room in the complex. After all,
bodybuilding is one of the most sought-after methods of training that exists in the modern
physical culture. In order to adhere to this demand, the weight room exists nearest the entrance of
the gym. As one enters the gym the first sight is Welcome to Sun Devil Country. This
immediately gives any ASU student a feel for being part of the community, an easy tool to make
anyone and everyone comfortable to attend. As one accesses the dense room, a busy flood of
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sensory experiences encompasses the individual. The sound of deep grunts, dumbbells falling to
the ground, machine weights sliding up and down, casual chatting between gym partners, and the
occasional aggressive screams for partners to complete their set all compose the auditory sense.
As for olfactory sensations, a rush of contrasting smells reach a persons awareness: moist air
resulting from the perspiring patrons throughout the extent of the premise and a sharp, fresh
draft, thanks to the well-integrated air conditioning system and a few well-placed fans.
Another aspect of importance is the meticulously detailed placement of the exercise machines,
weight racks, and general spaces for individuals using the floor as a workout area. The
immaculate sizing of these parts allow precise, two-person wide rows for movement from one
region of the room to another to exist. The positions of the front desk, water fountains, and doors
also hold wider surrounding spaces in order not to completely clutter the expanse around it. For
the sake of visual positioning, the locations of windows on the wall play a role. They are set on
the outside of the building so that natural sunlight can enter and any passerby can be viewed by
those lifting weights and running. Perhaps this asset may be used as a motivation method? It is
quite obvious the architecture of the room itself consists of quite adamant planning. Although
seemingly crowded at first sight, somehow it all works.
Of course, as one would expect, the gym is often flooded with many extremely muscular
men and women. This group composes just one of the three visible categories of people that
comprise the mixture of patrons in the Sun Devil Fitness Complex. These people are usually
students between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two. The athletes are easily spotted throughout
the exercise room because their aesthetics typically visually appeal to the others. Since the
weight room consists of mainly lifting weights and building muscle, men are the more common
gender of this group: the fit elite. This is true because many women tend to do cardio and
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resistance training rather than weight training. From personal experience, many women do not
want to lift weights because they are afraid that they will become bulky and unattractive, which
is usually not the case. Despite this, many women still love lifting weights, especially when
working on their legs. Purely through observation, the fit elite compose approximately half of
the people in the weightlifting, exercise room. The men of this group are normally part of a
fraternity due to fraternities striving to attain an admirable aesthetic image and being champions
in sports. These fraternity members range from being very tall and skinny to being very short and
bulky, including everyone in between. Although they range in size and strength, they can all be
deemed as fit individuals. Ordinarily, these elite members work out to maintain their aesthetic
shape and to retain their stamina; most have already earned the bodies they desired. Their
diligence allows for them to keep such an orthodox schedule. Purely through observations, the
fit elite compose approximately half of the people in the weightlifting, exercise room. This
group tends to motivate the rest of the patrons working out because many are trying to achieve
the same aesthetics and/or strengths. Personally, when I notice those men at the gym that are
toned or ripped, as many colloquially say, it assists myself to push harder as an incentive to
obtain those results. From a personal standpoint, I strive to become more attractive and desirable
sexually. The typical college student is told by society that they should look like a model and
have a great sex life. For men, the image is broad shoulders, chiseled abdominals, a large chest
and deep indents between muscles. For women, the image is a flat stomach, visible collar bones,
a firm bosom, and strong legs. Obviously, these are motives that were not so prevalent in recent
decades, but it becomes a great lens into the true desires and goals of this millennial generation.
The second group that I had noticed through observation are the healthy individuals that
are striving to become the fit elite for the same product; sexual appeal. This category of people
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typically aspires to achieve the aesthetics of the fit elite. They have already been living a healthy
lifestyle from usually six to eighteen months and most likely will continue in order to gain the
muscular build that they seek. As previously stated, sexual appeal is a major motive that leads
students to attend the gym consistently. College is a competitive, sexual jungle that many people
attempt to be dominant in. Just as in nature, some are capable of being dominant purely through
their inherited genetics. As for the majority, in order to have the ability of associating with the
most attractive individuals, they must work hard in order to become fit and attractive individuals
themselves. Only then may they reap the benefits. The last distinguishable group are the lesser-
trained individuals, whom most likely started working out recently; less than one year ago.
Unlike the fit elite, their goals are to lose fat, build muscle, or just generally become healthier.
Throughout the observation, these people tended to work out with groups of friends with the
same intentions of transformation. This was a prevailing observation. There may be numerous
reasons as to why people prefer to work out in groups rather than in solo sessions. From personal
knowledge and experience, students work out with their friends in order to have an external,
encouraging entity with them. Other times, people use gym partners as friendly yet provocative
competition; whoever can lift the most weight or complete the most repetitions. Another reason
why groups are so common is that people generally just want to be included in social endeavors
while working out. Being socially engaged while pushing physical limits can help a person to
distract themselves from the displeasure of working out. Student personal trainers that are part of
the fit elite can be seen helping members of adept and beginner groups. They act as trainers but
also motivators, an addition to the encouraging atmosphere. Altogether, these three main groups
are as diverse as the campus itself. They are composed of different ethnicities, nationalities, and
general backgrounds. This mixture of students allows for anyone and everyone to feel welcome
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and comfortable by coming to the gym and reaching their own personal goals. Despite the array
of people, the gym allows all to feel like a true Sun Devil, a part of the greater ASU community.
Whether one attends the SDFC for the purpose of increasing their physical strength,
becoming more physically appealing, or for the general rush of endorphins, it is agreeable that
this space holds an essential influence for the students of Arizona State Universitys Tempe
campus. When a person is meshed into a community of all types of people, it allows them to
become more comfortable. This is the most prevalent aspect as to why the Sun Devil Fitness
Complex is so popular amongst the student body. Anyone can attend and work out without
having to feel judged or humiliated by others. The positive and encouraging atmosphere is built
off of respect and family values. In this sense, the family is Arizona States student body. Every
Sun Devil is a part of it, none are left in the shadows. The Sun Devil Fitness Complex endorses
and motivates the utter health and happiness of the students in the Sun Devil family. Every
student feels comfortable because theyre all in it together. After all, This is Sun Devil
Country.







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Gym Field Notes
Set-up
o What fills up the space of the gym? (estimations)
Weight machines, 32, 3 feet by 3 feet
Weight racks, 3, about 10 feet wide
Front desk about 6 x 6 ft
Water fountains
Floor workout area about 20 x 30 ft
Pull up machines
Workout benches, 14, about 3 feet apart
Workout mats, 4, 4 x 2 ft each
o What is on the walls?
Windows
Mirrors, takes up whole wall
Water fountains
TV screens, 50 plasma screens
Speakers
People
o What types of people?
Very fit people (50%)
Fraternity Brothers, Sorority Sisters, Athletes
o Tattoos, piercings, revealing clothes, hats
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Semi-fit people (30%)
Regular students, healthy
o More modest clothing
Beginners (20%)
Regular students, somewhat healthy/unhealthy
o Modest clothing
Gender/Race/Age
o Males (70%)
o Females (30%)
All types of races
International Students
Many from different parts of country
o 18-22 (95%)
Senses
o Sounds
Casual chatting
Grunting
Yelling from gym partners to gym partners
Weights dropping to the ground
Machine weights sliding up and down
o Smell
Moist air
Slightly musty/sweaty
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Cold air from AC and fans
Routines
o Fit Elite
Bench press, push ups
Pull ups, hanging dips, skullcrushers
Heavy weight curls
Squats, deadlifts
*many solo sessions, few partners*
o Semi-Fit
Dumbbell flies, push ups
Sit ups, crunches
Lunges
*most are solo, some have partners*
o Beginners
Treadmill
Lightweight arm curls
Assisted pull ups
Crunches
*almost no solo sessions, many with partners*




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