Colleen Grahek

Contributing Writer

For the first time since March of 2020, ESU’s Rec B Fitness Center is now open, providing a second exercising space for students and their physical health needs.  

This newly re-opened rec center will act as an extension of the main Mattioli Rec Center, its location providing ease of access to students who dorm on campus.  

Gerard Morgan, the director of Campus Rec & Wellness, provided information about the Rec B facility and what it has to offer in terms of equipment and activities. 

“We have all of the same cardio equipment, matrix, strength, select rise equipment, cycling studio, full locker rooms and a group fit studio,” says Morgan. 

Although the facility will provide much of the same exercise equipment and activities as Mattioli, there are some new fitness programs that are currently under development for this semester, including an introduction class for people who may be unfamiliar with or new to the weight-lifting exercise experience. 

“Intro to Weight Rooms will teach people how to use the weights properly and safely. This will be by appointment only,” says Morgan. “More information about the program will be in the Warrior Notes for next week.”  

When asked about any upcoming or recent events at the facility, Morgan noted, “We did have a Sunset Cycle that took place, although that was towards the beginning of the semester.”  

As of this time, with the exception of Group Fitness, there are no future special group events that are to take place at the facility itself. 

A common misconception is that Rec B is only open to residence students due to its location at the lower level of Hawthorn Suites. According to the ESU website, the Rec B Fitness Center is open to all campus students. To access the facility, there is a separate entrance from the main dorm building. Membership fees are included in the overall cost of tuition. 

According to Morgan, ESU’s need for another gymnasium was realized when the student population increased in the years since the COVID 19 pandemic.  

“The facility was designed and opened in February 2012. 15 thousand square feet,” says Morgan. “Over 6 thousand students attended at that time. We needed more space as the weight room [at Mattioli] was getting cramped with the growing population. This was until March of 2020. [During the pandemic], numbers were down and the low usage of the facility did not prompt it opening. Last year, it was shown that we needed more room space as more students started attending, and it was needed at this point.” 

When asked if Morgan had any other comments about Rec B, he said, 

“It is designed with a more comfortable feeling to help allow people to feel more welcome. This is not your typical body building gym type deal.” 

The Rec B Fitness Center is located on the lower level of Hawthorne Suites and is open Monday-Thursday 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. For more information, please visit the website at Facilities | Campus Rec & Wellness | East Stroudsburg University (esu.edu).