The Fitness Center at Brookhaven Campus, a resource accessible to all students, staff, faculty and administrators, has recently acquired new gym equipment. Jorge Rodriguez, the Fitness Center manager, has shared what new gym equipment is available for the 2025 school year, the hours and requirements and other opportunities for students.

Located in the basement of T Building, in Room T123A, the Fitness Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a one-hour closing period on Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for deep cleaning. 

The Fitness Center is open to all students attending any of the Dallas College campuses. Requirements for participants include bringing a Dallas College issued ID, wearing appropriate gym attire/shoes and following the set guidelines posted in front of the gym. The Fitness Center also suggests bringing a water bottle. 

For the new equipment available, Rodriguez said there are eight lower body and upper body machines. The lower body equipment helps gymgoers work out with leg curls, leg extension, abductor and adductor and calf machines. The upper body equipment includes shoulder press, shoulder raise, back pull and chest seated machines. These replaced some of the older equipment in the gym. 

For any new equipment, the center takes into consideration the students’ needs and replaces machines according to available space and budget. Rodriguez said, “I think we are in a really good place with the equipment that we have – like, we have enough machines for any type of workouts and any type of population.”

Rodriguez said that the Fitness Center also offers a work-study opportunity for interested students. The first step to be eligible is to file FAFSA so the center can determine the student’s financial status. Then, students can either find postings on the Dallas College career website, attend a student-worker fair or contact Rodriguez directly for available positions in the Fitness Center.

Brookhaven student-assistant Elizabeth Cabrera said that she received the opportunity to be a work-study student by attending a career fair at the S Building where she met Rodriguez. Cabrera said, “It’s more convenient for students to come workout at the gym because with classes and stuff, it might be stressful, and they might not be able to go to the gym by their house. Plus, that costs money and you’re a student, you can come here for free.”

Students who are intimidated by using the Fitness Center, can feel reassured by the welcoming environment. Rodriguez said, “You can find a college community environment when you come to our gym, with mostly students and staff members. So we have a really respectful environment where everybody feels welcome and everybody can come, doesn’t matter their level.”

Students who wish to store their items or wash up after a work-out can use the lockers and showers located across the hallway from the Fitness Center, which are open to the students. However, Rodriguez said, “[The Fitness Center doesn’t] control that area, but it’s open to the public.”