Children
Participants must be 16 years old or older to use or be in the fitness center. This age limit is common within Campus Recreation facilities throughout the United States. The equipment in the fitness center is designed for individuals with fully developed bodies. 

• 16-17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• 13-15 year olds can gain access to the fitness center, with supervision, by completing the TGIF (Teen Getting Into Fitness) Program and must follow all policies in regard to this program to use the area.

Equipment Use and Orientations
All equipment must be used in the manner for which it is designed. If equipment is used in any other way, it may cause injury to the participant and others in the area.
 
Orientations are strongly recommended for individuals not familiar with the exercise equipment. Improper technique during exercise can cause injury or undue soreness. The fitness center staff are trained on proper form and technique with all the equipment in the fitness center. Walk-in orientations are available during hours of operation. 

Cardiovascular machine use is limited to 30 minutes (during busy hours in the fitness center) to give everyone a chance to use the equipment.

If you remove equipment out of the fitness center (i.e. dumbbells, medicine balls, physioballs, mats, etc.), it is your responsibility to return it to its proper place.  If this policy is abused, it will be taken away.

 
Music and Listening Devices
Participants may only use personal listening devices; boom boxes are not allowed. A bunch of boom boxes playing at the same time would not be accommodating to all users. The music selection in the fitness center is regulated by the supervisor. Also, music that includes any type of foul language is not to be played. This type of music can be offensive to many people. 

Beverages
Beverages must be in a closed container at all times because there is chance for beverages to spill if they are not in a closed container.
 
Personal Training
Personal training is prohibited unless conducted by Campus Recreation employees. If a person is using Campus Recreation facilities to do personal training, Campus Recreation is responsible for the information they are giving to patrons. To ensure proper training and education levels, they must be nationally certified and/or go through our screening process. If a person is interested in becoming a personal trainer, please refer them to the assistant director of programs at (248) 370-4911 or rupascua@oakland.edu (return to top)


Free Weight Area Policies
 
Use of Dumbbells and Weights
Do not drop dumbbells or other free weight equipment at any time. If the dumbbells are dropped, over time the bonds that keep the plate weight together will break. If they become too loose, they will have to be removed from the floor and there is no guarantee we will financially be able to replace them.

All dumbbells and weights must be re-racked after use. This will keep the room neat and in order. The space in this room is cramped, and if equipment is lying all over the floor, it will increase the possibility of someone becoming injured. 

Olympic Bars
Olympic bars only can be used within the squat rack and bench press equipment area. The free weight area is tight with equipment and individuals. Taking the bars out of the rack is dangerous and not something that is necessary. Patrons can use the preset barbells if they want to use a bar.

Using the squat rack for a decline bench is permitted as long as the equipment is set up properly by the fitness assistants.

Collars
Collars must be used during all lifts using plate weight and bars. This is to stop the occurrence of weights being dumped onto the floor, which can cause injury to other people in the room.

Weight Gloves
Weight gloves are permitted, but chalk is prohibited because it leaves a residue on the equipment and is very messy.

Spotters
Spotters are strongly recommended for all free weight exercises. If you know you are attempting to lift a weight that is difficult, you should have a spotter help you if your muscle fatigues. This will decrease the chance of you becoming injured during the lift. If a person is lifting correctly, anyone should be able to spot them. If a person knows they are attempting a “max” lift, they should inform the spotter and more than one person needs to be there to ensure the safety of the individual.

Other Policies
All other policies regarding the fitness center also pertain to the free weight area.
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Group Exercise Policies

Footwear
Proper footwear is required during fitness classes. Not having proper support during aerobic exercise can cause a person injury, which may not be an injury that is acute (right at that moment) but instead chronic (shows up down the road). We want to combat all injuries before they happen.

Proper footwear includes athletic supportive shoes only. Bare feet, ballet shoes, sandals, keds and socks are prohibited for health and safety reasons.

Shoes should be non-marking soled shoes. Shoes that have marking soles will scuff up the wood floors.
 
Fitness Classes
Attending fitness classes from start to finish is strongly recommended. The proper warm up, aerobic phase and cool down is very important to decrease risk for injury. If you have to leave a class early, please make sure you cool down and stretch all
the major muscle groups. 

Fitness classes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is the easiest way to make it fair to everyone wanting to attend a class.

Fitness Mats
The use of a towel or full T-shirt during exercises involving mats is strongly recommended. Many people use the mats throughout the day. T-shirts or towels between your skin and the mat help decrease the risk of contracting a skin disease such as ringworm or impetigo.

Personal Training
Personal training is prohibited unless conducted by Campus Recreation employees to ensure that people are given correct instruction when participating in Campus Recreation facilities.
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