George S Eccles Student Life Center — Local services in Salt Lake City

Oh boy, where do I begin? First, the dress code rules? let alone the rules? ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. I got dress coded for a cut out tank top...you could barely see my sports bra, let alone my rib cage. They requested that I either get a rental tee (or buy one) which is completely absurd. So I put back on my sweatshirt. Next, I was attempted to get dress coded for my leggings. Up the sides of my leggings, I had a sheer mesh...and the mesh only went up a to my knee. The lady trying to dress code me, said it was “too see-through” what? And yet, you’re allowed to wear shorts? That made absolutely no sense to me and when I told her that girls are wearing shorts or even more “see-through leggings” she dismissed it and let me keep my leggings on. (FYI buying their dress code shorts would be even more revealing than the leggings I wore) this isn’t BYU.

Next rule they have, is that they don’t allow things on the floor. I've left my keys, and jacket, on the floor next to the weight machine I was using and I was always asked to move them into a cubby. I asked the person why and they said it was for safety. What? Is someone going to come by, slip on my keys or jacket and hit their head on the weight machine? Not likely. The jacket is always against the machine and out of the way, away for being stepped on by me or anyone. I don’t like placing bags or keys in the cubbies considering people steal out of the cubbies.

My Ucard has failed a couple of times here. It always says I’m not a student, For whatever reason. Last time this happened, I showed them my canvas and they still had me pay that $5 fee to use the gym. I got the $5 back the next day, but it was just an inconvenience when I was running late for an exercise class I wanted to attend.

Equipment staff seems uneducated. When trying to rent boxing gloves for my class, the downstairs staff HAD NO IDEA what I was talking about. I’d go down every day before my class...and ask. They had boxing gloves listed as equipment available to purchase but they didn’t actually have them. For my class, we were supposed to be able to rent a drawstring bag, wraps, and gloves...for a cheaper price which is a super sweet deal. My boxing teacher said that the price for the package should be discounted at 35 but when the package finally came it was actually priced at I believe 60? I didn’t end up buying the package, but I do remember I thought it was expensive and other classmates including the teacher said it wasn’t worth it.

Next, the equipment is limited. You’ll often have to wait for the weight machines to open up. Once, I was doing hip abductors. (They only have one machine) I typically do 10 sets of 10. One student came up to me and told me this was the last thing she had to do and asked how many reps I had left. I told her about 9. She stood. Right. Next to me. Wasn’t staring at me, but was still obnoxiously distracting. Ended up getting super annoyed, and told her she was distracting and that I would wait till she was done now. She kindly apologized but like, hello, go wait against the wall, not two feet away from me.

Cleanliness: The pool area is clean. Locker rooms are clean. The hot tub is occasionally closed, But it’s clean. I see the staff cleaning the equipment. Lots of wipes nearby to wipe your equipment down. I took a few of the classes offered here and I enjoyed them! One staff member was helpful for when I locked my backpack in one of the workout clicks. He was able to get someone, who responded fairly quickly, to unlock the door for me!

I’m no longer a student, but I’ve been thinking about buying a membership. BUT what’s keeping me back is the steep price, the “frat bro, and sorority girl” vibe (which is 85% of the people working out), AND I’d have to either buy a U of U parking pass OR pay for parking. Saturday’s and Sunday’s you may be able to get away without a ticket. Keep in mind, if you get a ticket, it’s $20. Another fee, the U uses to just make more pointless buildings. Whoops I...

Function follows form.

This is a sculpturesque building and you can tell no effort was spared in making it look modern and beautiful. However, that seems like the only design goal. The building is very poorly laid out with tons of wasted space for cavernous hallways that are almost always empty (except when locker sign ups are going, more on that later). The area for the weights and cardio machines seems large but in practice it feels crowded with very few people because there isn't much open floor space. If you just want to do circuit training on the machines or run on a treadmill it is probably fine but if you like to vary your workout or mix a few lifts it is difficult to find space. If you like to run on a track rather than a treadmill you are sure to be disappointed. Who thought that having 6 sharp 90 degree turns on a track and only three lanes was a good idea? You are risking serious knee and ankle injuries if you run at anything faster than an 8 minute per mile pace on the track. Also the number of laps per mile is some mixed decimal that shows no thought was put into its length. You will have lots of space on the track though because most people seem to hate it and avoid using it.

The management seems actively hostile to their patrons and their workout goals. They are draconianly restrictive on workout attire. They use silly excuses like "superbugs" to justify their policy of not allowing tank tops with loose arm holes or bare midriffs but it is just a cover for their Mormon sensibilities with regards to revealing clothing. Also, instead of trying to provide ways for people to do the workouts they want to do management puts up signs to prohibit those workouts. I understand that college students can be difficult to control but if someone wants to do bar rows, wall exercises, or weighted walking lunges minor modifications to the facilities could accommodate those activities but instead a sign goes up. Be super careful with your weights too, setting them down too loudly will get you scolded and will also shake the entire floor because the weight room floor is basically a big drum with inadequate structural support. You really can feel the vibrations from other people working out half the room away and when the train goes by (which happens every 10 minutes) it shakes the entire room.

The locker room situation is probably the most glaring issue though (I've attached a fairly representative picture). They are cramped and very poorly ventilated so it always seems uncomfortably humid. To add to the problem the individual lockers are small and poorly ventilated so good luck getting your towel or sweaty gym clothes to dry before the bacteria populations sky rocket and bring on the funk. Some patrons have tried to hang their towels or clothes over the door of their lockers after their workout to get them to dry faster but of course instead of fixing the real problem management put up another sign forbidding the practice. Good luck hanging up your work/street clothes while you workout too, the lockers are too small to hang a dress shirt so I hope you like wearing a slightly funky, wrinkly shirt to work after the gym. And that is if you can actually get a locker, more likely you are going to have to keep your gym stuff either in your car (which is difficult due to the campus parking situation) or with you through your classes and work day. They seriously underestimated the number of lockers that would be needed and they charge a premium for them if you wait in line and actually manage to get one. Instead they provide open cubbies in the workout area so you can leave your wallet, laptop, car keys, etc. in an easy to steal from location and stuff your work/street clothes in your bag to get wrinkly. They are kind enough to remind you with another sign not to leave valuables in the cubbies though, like you have a choice.

This place was designed by and is currently managed by people who have no concept of what it is like to...

Summary: Overall a great gym, so good I wish it was open more often, longer.

Pros: This is an excellent gym with an Olympic sized swimming pool, an smaller pool for kids, a hot tub and outdoor pool; huge basketball and racquetball courts, a rock climbing wall That spans the height of the building, locker rooms on the ground level and bathrooms on every floor, an indoor and outdoor track. The usual equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, stair master, rowers and the elliptical; as well as some unique items like a ladder climber. Fixed and free weights as well as designated areas for those doing power lifting and squats, bench presses and seated presses. Overall a solid gym.

Cons: Lockers: Wish I didn't have to Pay $0.75 to lock something up though. I have my own lock but you are required to rent a locker which comes with a lock. This semester I rented a semester locker for $32.00, but you have to be there early (before 7 am) on the 1st day of the semester to get one because they go fast. Hours: Typically the gym opens at 6 am, personally I wish it would open at 5 am. Hours can be very limited outside of the typical semesters Fall mid August-mid December and Spring mid Januar-mid May. For example for the upcoming MLK holiday, the gym will open at 9 am and close at 8 pm. Outside of semester hours the gym can close as early as 6 pm. On Sundays the gym generally opens later and closes earlier. The busiest time of day is typically between 4 pm - 8 pm.

More detail: Free to currently enrolled students who have a Ucard! Employees can sign up for a payroll deducted membership at a negligible $12/pay check, if recall correctly. Architecturally the building is a gorgeous steel and glass structure featuring vibrant red accents (a nod to the school colors), as well as beautiful brick and stone work throughout. On the north side of the building you'll find a cozy fireplace as well as large fire pit just outside the main entrances (west side of the building), perfect for warming up during the cold winter months. On the main floor you'll find lounge areas and tables near outlets for quiet studying. There is a University credit union branch, outdoor recreation equipment rental shop and a small smoothie and sandwich shop (with limited hours) on this floor.The bottom floor, where the locker rooms, pools, rock climbing wall, racquetball courts, and 2nd set of basketball courts are found; also features a small lounge area with TV's perfect for waiting for a companion while they change in the adjacent locker rooms. There is small service counter on this floor too which sells headphones, hair ties in case you forget one as well as U of U swag. This is also the desk you'll visit if you would like to rent a day locker. The 3rd floor, gym area has open cubby's for storage so you don't have to rent a day locker for $0.75, as well as lounge areas and televisions throughout. The 4th floor has a track that circles the entire 4th floor; cardio equipment such as treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals which overlook the lower main gym area, as well as floor matts and open areas where one can stretch or do calisthenic type exercises. There are classrooms and offices throughout the building. Outside you'll find a minimalist zero scape motif featuring a plaza made of orange and beige brick, complimented by decorative dessert plants set upon a bed of colorful red rocks as well as picnic tables with umbrellas to block the sun during warmer months. There are a wide variety of classes and events regularly held here; from yoga, intramural basketball, martial arts clubs; to social events like movie nights...