Ewha has many facilities and programs to improve the quality of students' campus life. Amongst them, sports programs such as the ECC fitness system and the GX exercise program are the most popular programs for Ewha students. These programs help students to keep themselves fit and are reasonable in price compared to other private programs. We visited the ECC fitness center and fitness room in the Student Union Building and met several students who are attending the programs.
1. ECC Fitness
The ECC fitness center which is located on the B4 floor of ECC motivates students to exercise by providing decent facilities like treadmills, fitness bicycles, various weight training equipment, and a rock climbing wall. Any Ewha students are eligible to apply for a monthly membership which is 40,000 won a month. The monthly membership includes the use of any facilities within the fitness center as well as free use of showers and lockers. Students can use the gym from 6:30a.m. to 9:00p.m., from Monday to Friday, and from 9:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. on Saturdays; however, the closing time may change during the winter season.
2) Daily program
Students can use the ECC fitness center casually for 5,000 won per visit. Casual visitors have unlimited use of all equipment and facilities and can take advantage of a free training program twice a month from January 12, 2015 to the 16. The program is held in GX room 1 and includes machine training, free weight exercises, and stretching. It takes 30 minutes and members can enhance every part of their bodies.
3) Interview about the monthly membership system
Interviewee: a student in Ewha Ms. Han who uses the membership system
Q: How would you rate your satisfaction?
A: Maybe four out of five. It is a very good system overall. There are individual shower rooms. They are quite spacious so it is very comfortable to use. The best thing is that the users of the ECC fitness center are mostly girls. I don't have to be stressed by my looks. If there are men everywhere, you know it is very hard to concentrate on exercise.
Q: I agree. What are some unsatisfactory parts about this program?
A: There are two problems. The first is that the opening hours are too short. It closes at 8:30 and because of this, the fitness center is always too crowded from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second thing is the limited facilities. There are not enough personal lockers so I have to put my exercise equipment in the ECC study room locker.
2. Student Union Facilities
1) Squash
You can enjoy squash very cheaply in the Student Union Building. After checking your identification, the officials will provide a racket and clothes. After changing your clothes, you can start squash at the second basement level of the building. Squash courts are available from 7:30a.m. to 8:00p.m. If you want to take a squash lesson, there are two options. The first one is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and costs 65,000 won per month and the second one is on Tuesday and Thursday and costs 50,000 won per month.
In the first basement (B103), there is a place for G.X. exercises and a changing room. In the changing room, there are many lockers and this facility provides one locker per person so you don't have to worry about theft. Also you can take a shower after playing squash so you can exit the building with a fresh body and fresh mind.
2) GX program
There are diverse GX programs in the Student Union Building. The GX program involves group exercise for more than 8 students. Options include yoga, jazz dance, pilates, ballet, body-line stretching, body pump, broadcast dance, and high-low combo. All programs are avilable every hour, from 7:30a.m. to 7:50p.m.
3) Interview about the squash facility
Interviewee: a student in Ewha Ms.Yoon who uses the squash facility
Q: Can you tell us about this program?
A: There are two courts in there: one class for beginners and the other class for experienced ones. There are five teachers in this program. I hadn't taken classes by all of those teachers but I heard that they are all pretty good. Also the lessons are for one hour, but you can stay and play it more if you like.
Q: Sounds like a useful lesson. Also it sounds like it is well structured. How would you rate this program?
A: I'll choose four out of five. This program is quite useful. Most of all it's cheap, and teachers are all very kind. However, the problem is that the opening hours are a little short. It closes at 8:00p.m. and it's not enough for the demand. The biggest problem is when there are too many people in one session, it is very hard to actively participate.
There are various exercise programs in Ewha and most of them are offered at reasonable prices. Why don't you join these diverse exercise programs in Ewha for your healthy campus life?