UKIAH — Mendocino College students and athletes will now have even more incentive to use the fitness lab with its recent additions.
With the passing of the Measure W Bond, Mendocino College was able to renovate the fitness lab. Mendocino College spent approximately $150,000 on upgrades.
The lab will be made up of new machines made by “Power Lift” and “Cybex.” There is also a new set of dumbbells and three power racks, along with new cardio equipment consisting of treadmills and elliptical machines.
“I am very grateful to our administration for allowing us to utilize the bond money so rapidly to upgrade our training facility,” Mendocino College assistant head football coach Mike Mari said. “The new facility will help us to attract student-athletes while at the same time providing our students and student-athletes with a top-notch facility to meet their training demands. Because of our renovations to the fitness lab, we can now look to better serve our community in the field of strength and conditioning.”
There were only two platforms, two squat racks and two benches in the old fitness lab. Now there will be six platforms, six squat racks and six benches.
“The staff is extremely excited to have been able to upgrade the equipment in the fitness lab,” Mendocino College physical education instructor Ed Boyle said. “This will now give us the opportunity to instruct our students in lifelong fitness strategies and techniques using the newest and most user friendly equipment available.”
According to Boyle, with the addition of the new state-of-the-art resistance training, cardio exercise and free weight equipment, students now have the ability to develop their own program for attaining lifelong fitness.
“The fitness lab is now more of a higher level fitness facility, which you would see at larger institutions and elite health clubs. The equipment is now easier to use and the fitness lab is more organized,” Mendocino College sophomore Justin Saldano said.
The new facilities not only provide individuals a means of obtaining strength training goals, but they also help those in need of rehabilitation services.
According to Mari, who was involved in the planning of the new facilities, “Power Lift” has one of the best reputations in the field of strength and conditioning equipment. “Power Lift” has outfitted numerous colleges, including the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, USC and several NFL teams.
For more information regarding the Mendocino College Fitness Lab, contact Mendocino College athletic director Tom Gang at 468-3141.
