Emerson Community Pumped Up for New Campus Fitness Center

Emerson College’s new fitness center will open Monday with mint machines, updated locker rooms, and lots of space .

“The equipment is all updated. We haven’t had a refresh in equipment in some time. Now it’s state-of-the-art, and we’ve got more of the popular machines like the stair climbers and treadmills,” said Steph Smyrl, Associate Dean for Campus Life and Director of Athletics.

The new fitness center is situated on two floors in Piano Row: at ground level looking onto Boylston Street, and one floor below. It is available to all students, staff, and faculty.

“I’m thrilled that our community will have access to this state-of-the-art facility to come together for better health and wellness. My thanks to everyone who worked hard to make this project a reality,” said President Jay M. Bernhardt.

The fitness center at 52 Summer Street will close at 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 3, and the new PRow fitness center will open at 9:30 am on Monday, November 4, with expanded hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm on Mondays through Thursdays; 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Fridays; 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on Saturdays; and 12:00 to 8:00 pm on Sundays.

Associate Athletic Director Ron Smithers said students had requested more stepmill cardio equipment.

“We thought of what’s most used and how we could enhance the fitness center,” said Smithers.

“It’s awesome!” said Samantha Zannotti ’25. “I like the new machines and the open space makes it more accessible.”

Zannotti is on the women’s cross country and softball teams, and said she’s most excited about the new treadmills because you create your own speed, which is great for working on sprinting.

Men’s lacrosse player Grant Wilson ’25 spent a lot of time in Emerson’s old fitness center on Summer Street. He would work out solo and with teammates, and he also has a campus job at the fitness center.

“I’m super excited for the new platforms to do a lot of squats, deadlifts, and bench pressing,” said Wilson. “Having new locker rooms is something students really wanted.”

Smithers said the new fitness center has more half-rack platforms to do barbell exercises, bench presses, squats, deadlifts, and more. There are now two dumbbell areas, one on each floor. Users can also download an app to join a virtual cycling class on one of the new spin machines in a studio.

New locker rooms include separate men’s and women’s facilities, as well as two gender neutral rooms. All have showers, restrooms, and lockers.

While there isn’t personal training, Smyrl said the fitness center staff is on hand to help.

“I think sometimes people are intimidated by walking into a fitness center. Our staff and student workers are happy to help people learn the lay of the land,” said Smyrl. “Even if it’s someone going to the gym for the first time, it’s a space for the entire community to be comfortable in.”

Smyrl said she likes the convenience of the new fitness center being right above the Athletics Department, and students love the proximity to their residence halls.

“It takes me 30 seconds to get here from the dorm,” said Sienna Parker ’28, who plays on the women’s soccer team. “It’s one of the nicest gyms I’ve seen. We did a team lift the other day and we all liked the updated racks. It has that new gym smell.”

Smyrl also said there’s a great space on the lower floor that lends itself to eventually having group fitness classes, alongside the numerous spin bikes in the space. She added they’re exploring getting certified individuals to teach yoga, Zumba, and other group fitness classes.