AUC Fitness Center
As aspiring physicians, we are people who should be not only championing health but also keeping up with our own health as well to be a model for our patients. We must practice what we preach. This is especially true in med school when we could get too focused in the books and not allow ourselves a break to move around and stretch a bit. Luckily, we have a gym on campus where we can take exercise breaks anytime.
Where is the gym located?
As of July 2014, the AUC gym has relocated from the SGA office building to a larger facility in the left wing of the old academic building in the former anatomy lab. There are weights, machines, and treadmills. There is a room with a ping-pong table and dart board, as well as a group fitness room, and a lounge with couches and TV. It’s a big improvement from the gym that I remember. Check out footage from the old gym.
What are the opening hours of the gym?
The gym is open 24/7.
Can I use the gym if I’m a spouse?
Yes. Students, faculty, staff, spouses/significant others, family members of students… anyone who is part of the AUC community can use the gym. There is no cost to use the gym.
Are there fitness classes on campus?
Yes, there are fitness classes several days a week. As they are taught by students, spouses, and faculty members, the types of classes may change semester-to-semester. During my first semester (September 2009), there was aerobics, salsa, martial arts, and swing dancing. This semester (May 2010), there is swing dancing, yoga/pilates, meditation, dance aerobics, and belly dancing. All the classes are open to anyone in the AUC community and are all free.
Who do I go to if I want a new piece of gym equipment?
The gym is maintained by a student gym manager as well as a team of gym staff, who are all students. The gym manager works with the Student Government Association as well as the school to maintain, upgrade, and add equipment to the gym.
Hey,
Do you think you can tell us what equipment was specifically added (or possibly a new video showing it)?
I too like you need need dumbbells > 90lbs and in general the weight on the machines seem pretty low.
Thanks!
Hi Amit, check out http://www.caribbeanmedstudent.com/2011/08/panorama/ there is an updated picture of the gym taken August 2011. Thanks for reading!
Benji
Do they have a bench (to be used for barbell pench press) or squat rack?
benches yes, squat rack no… at least when I was there. Once the new gym opens in the new building on campus though, there may be new equipment.
Hey Benji, I’ve heard that new academic buildings were going to open up with Devry. However, after much research and discussion I did not hear about a new gym opening up. Has it already been built? In addition, will it possess more machines, free- weights, barbell benches or squat racks? … Thank you!!
Hi Jes,
The new building has been built and is now open. The most recent White Coat Ceremony was help in the new lecture hall. In addition, there is also a new anatomy lab, library, student lounge, and other facilities. There is a bigger gym in the basement of the new building, according to the architectural plan, but I am not sure what’s in it, since I am not on the island. You can see pictures of the new building on AUC’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aucmed . There is no picture of the gym though.
Benji
Hey Benji does the gym get packed? If so is there a good time to go when it is almost empty?
Hi Rick,
The gym can get packed after lectures and before dinner. It’s not too crowded after dinner.
Benji
Dr. Benji,
First, congratulations on the birth of your new daughter and all your success both professionally and personally.
I have some questions regarding maintaining overall health and fitness during medical school, something which you obviously appear to have done. What did you personally do and what advice would you give to incoming students? Was there a specific training routine, method or practice that worked out the best for you? If you had to physically and mentally do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Thank you very much for all the education you provide.
Sincerely,
Jonathan
Thanks Jonathan! With classes, studying, tutoring, sessions, etc. it can sometimes seem like there’s no time for anything else. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you gotta take breaks, so that you don’t burn yourself out. I think working out is a great way to destress the mind. I guess which routine you do depends on what your goals are. For me, I liked weight training, because you don’t have to spend too much time to get a good workout. You can work out 2-3 muscles per day, hitting the muscles with high intensity to the point of soreness, not spending more than 30 minutes in the gym – if you do it right, you’ll be spending the next few days recovering those muscles even while you sleep. Cardio is important to for cardiovascular health. I think as future physicians, students should practice what they preach and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If we are going to be battling cardiovascular disease, obesity, COPD, diabetes, etc. then we need to make sure we also stay fit, eat right, don’t smoke, and don’t develop those conditions we are training ourselves to fight for our patients.
Benji