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 Dale Russell |
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| Barbell Club Members have 24-7 access to state-of-the-art equipment. Where else can you lift at 4 a.m.? |
Would you believe the most popular gym on campus isn't SAC? It's not even on West Campus. For 24-7 access to some of the most up-to-date exercise equipment on campus, you've got to go to the Barbell Club. Founded in the 50s for competitive weight-lifters, this group has grown over time to become a general workout club with a membership of 1,300.
The Barbell Club was first located in what is now the Alumni Building on North Avenue. It then moved to the basement of Matheson. Once the East Campus Housing Office came to occupy this area, it moved to West Campus. In 1979, however, the housing office wanted to occupy this area, too. With the help of Dean Jim Dull, the Barbell Club was moved back to East Campus. This time, it was located in a room of the O'Keefe building.
Since that time, this club has expanded from its original membership of 15 to an annual membership of about 1,300. The Barbell Club now occupies half of the basement of the O'Keefe building. This club has 9 work out rooms and since each student receives a key upon membership, he or she is able to work out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because it is possible to work out any time of day, the club is rarely crowded.
Bryan Jacob, who made the Barcelona Olympic weight lifting team in 1992 and the Atlanta team in 1996, was a member of the Barbell Club while an undergraduate. Bryan now acts as a coach for those students interested in competitive weight lifting. Though this club's main emphasis is on weight lifting, it has many other facilities as well. Barbell has aerobic equipment, StairMasters, treadmills, and rowing machines for those interested in crew. Therefore, this club is useful for everyone, not just those students who are interested in weights.
The Barbell Club has two advisors, Carl Dobson and George Slayton. The first is a campus minister and supervises the maintenance of the club while the latter deals with membership and financial aspects. The club is always looking for new members, especially women. Membership is open to all Georgia Tech students, staff, and faculty. Staff and faculty pay $25 per quarter while students pay $10 per quarter with a $35 initiation fee.
Georgia Tech police officers receive free membership to the Barbell Club to help them keep themselves in shape. The club also makes annual donations to a home for wayward boys in Vidalia, GA.
To join, simply show up at the club any Thursday that school is in session between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and bring your Tech I.D. Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the Barbell Club.