BYU–Idaho Hart Fitness Center — Attraction in Rexburg

Here's the thing, this gym has almost everything that you could expect to find in a gym. Well except for the locker rooms which have been under construction for the better part of a year.

With that being said, you should expect equipment that works so that's nothing to write home about. What I severely dislike is that you have to wear the low quality, overpriced BYUI gym clothes. These clothes are probably worse quality than Walmart exercise clothes but are double the price.

I understand the need for a dress code and the easiest way to enforce said dress code is to have a "uniform". That's fine but just sell the clothes at cost if you're going to require them.

The other issue that really bothers me is that the gym is open to staff and students, as well as their respective spouses. However, the spouses are also required to come clean-shaven.

For many men, they get severe skin irritations when they shave. If you're a student you can go get a shaving exemption card, allowing you to have a beard. However, if you're a spouse you don't have this ability. They tell you that since you have an I-card you have to follow the dress and grooming standards. But since you're not a student you are not eligible to obtain a "beard card".

This double standard is frustrating, to say the least. Especially since the church has said in their general handbook that, "Members and leaders should not judge others based on dress and appearance. They should love all people, as the Savior commanded (see Matthew 22:39; John 13:34–35). All should be welcomed at Church meetings and activities (see 38.1.1)."

The handbook also goes on to say that no one should be turned away from sacrament meetings or even the temple for their appearance, so why is the school telling people to leave if they have stubble...

There are too many students during the semesters, and they're closed during holidays. Machines are often broken (due to misuse or lack of control from students) and sometimes take several weeks to repair. TVs are often frozen, lagging, or inopperable. It is nice to go in for free for both my wife and I, though parking is limited and getting a pass is difficult (spouses can not get a parking pass near the center).

Tips for coming here: Don't waste money buying gym clothing unless you like shorts and t-shirts (which cost you $50 a pair). Instead, wear approved sweatpants and a hoodie (which are allowed). Even pajamas qualify for appropriate wear, so take advantage and save some money. Parking is ticketed from 7am-5pm on weekdays. So, going in the morning or after 5 pm (and before 11 pm when they close) is the best way to not have to buy a parking pass and still work out for free. Best times to work out (based on personal experience): Weekdays= Opening-4pm & 9pm-close Weekends= Almost anytime, though evenings are typically busier (4pm-8pm) Call in to see if hours vary for holidays or breaks. Many times, Google maps and the website don't reflect the actual hours of the fitness center. I've found that calling ahead to ask about hours has been helpful in saving me the drive. If they don't answer, they probably aren't open.

I'd prefer to work out at Planet Fitness or another gym if I didn't spend all of my...

I’m grateful for a free gym and a university that offers tuition at a very low rate. That being said the dress code at the gym is obviously in place for a reason. I get it and I follow it. My understanding is that it ensures modesty while working out. But when me or my husband are asked to leave because we don’t have the BYUI logo on our blue shorts it just feels a little too nitpicking. We have come in perfectly modest clothes and ones very identical to the required uniform… just no logo on the shorts. I just don’t understand who or what I’m hurting by not wearing the BYUI approved shorts. Oh, but I forgot if I wear black sweat pants it’s fine if it doesn’t have to have the logo. I’m just hoping by this review that those who make the rules and those students who run everything on campus will think more about the spirit of law rather than just the letter of the law. Because right now it doesn’t feel like it’s about being modest it feels more like I’m just trying to be controlled. *For reference these are the shorts compared to the BYUI...