WARNER ROBINS -- Macon State College unveiled a new fitness center at its Warner Robins campus Monday, moving forward in extending recreation and wellness opportunities to more students.

“You always hear about the freshman 15,” James Hagler, Macon State director of recreation and wellness, said in reference to the seemingly inevitable weight gain associated with the first year of college. “This will help with that, and, really, the routines you form in college are what you carry with you throughout life.”

The treadmills, elliptical machines, recumbent bikes, five-station multi-gym and free weights in the fitness center are for student, staff and faculty use. A functional trainer will be added within the next few weeks, Hagler said.

The $60,000 project was funded by a new $140 per semester recreation and wellness fee added to student fees this fall, said Macon State President Jeff Allbritten.

“We’re showing them right off the bat, we’re putting it to great use,” he said.

Students were happy to see the addition to the Warner Robins campus, said Ashley Wolfe, 24, who originally was upset about having to pay the fee, even though the campus didn’t have a fitness center like its Macon counterpart.

Once she saw the equipment, which features touch screens, cable television and iPod hook up capability, as well as USB ports so users can save their workout information, Wolfe was making plans to use the fitness center at least once a week.

“I think this will make it easier because as a college student money is tight,” said Wolfe, who is studying early childhood education.

It’s also convenient for students like 19-year-old Luke Northrup, who don’t have access to a vehicle.

Northrup, who is studying history at the Warner Robins campus, said he plans to use the treadmills and free weights four times a week to get back into a routine workout schedule.

The fitness room, complete with a mirrored wall and rubberized floor, is located next to the student lounge in Thomas Hall.

“People in Warner Robins feel like we’re actually a campus now and not just an extension of Macon,” Wolfe said.

About 2,000 of Macon State’s more than 6,000 students attend class at the Warner Robins campus.

Monday’s grand opening was just the first step in enhancing recreation and wellness opportunities at the Warner Robins campus, Allbritten said.

The school is opening a new 3/4-mile campus walking trail, offering group fitness classes and organizing basketball and volleyball clubs and ultimate Frisbee as an intramural sport at the Warner Robins campus.

Plans to create an expanded fitness center are also under way, Allbritten said.

The school will renovate a former day care center on the south end of the campus to hold fitness and student services areas. Once that building is finished, the equipment in Thomas Hall will be moved to create a stand-alone fitness center there.

That project, which will cost an estimated $200,000, is scheduled to be completed and ready to open during the fall 2012 semester.

To contact writer Caryn Grant, call 256-9751.