How campus recreation departments are rethinking strength training spaces, equipment and programming to meet students where they are.
In campus rec departments across the country, the weight room may look different than it did five years ago. From shifting demographics, evolving equipment and social media’s influence, student expectations for strength training are high.
From Florida to Connecticut, campus rec departments are taking notice and rethinking how they design spaces and serve an increasingly diverse population of students.
Strength training is on the rise for each of these departments, but one of the most significant shifts is who’s showing up in those spaces and how they’re training.
At Missouri State University (MSU), Brockton Tross, the assistant director of Campus Recreation, said the strength training spaces are no longer predominantly male, with a spike in interest and participation from female students.
“For a long time, it wasn’t commonplace to see as many female patrons participating in strength training to the degree we see now,” he explained. “It’s a motivating and encouraging sight to see this population occupy these spaces and maximize the use of our machines and free weights.”
Ashleigh Lewellen, the director of Campus Recreation at MSU, attributes much of strength training’s newfound popularity to social media.
“Social media has made strength training more visible and accessible, but more importantly, students are more educated than ever about the physical and mental health benefits,” she said. “There’s also been a cultural shift. Strength training is no longer intimidating or niche; it’s normalized across all identities and experience levels.”
This same shift is seen at Fairfield University. Brian Kabel, the assistant director of Facilities and Events at Fairfield, said strength spaces have become more balanced between men and women in recent years.
“This generation of students seem to just feel more comfortable in strength training environments,” said Eli Olken-Dann, the director of Recreation and Wellness at Fairfield University. “I don’t think twice about seeing women using the same machines that men use.”
Beyond who’s lifting, many departments are noticing a change in how students prefer to train.
Leah Reynolds, the assistant director of Fitness at Louisiana State University (LSU) Recreation, said the department has seen an increased demand for functional training spaces. Students are gravitating toward self-led circuits they can complete at their own pace with minimal equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells and bands.
Both LSU and MSU have seen Pilates emerge as a dominant force, drawing in students who want strength-based movement through a mind-body lens. LSU recently invested in reformers to meet the demand, and MSU incorporates Pilates into its group fitness programming.
“Our Bear Fit program has risen to unprecedented numbers simply due to the inclusion of Pilates,” said Tross. “Pilates incorporates elements of strength training through the manipulation of body weight, dumbbells and other accessories. This element of our strength-related programming is absolutely on fire right now.”
While each team recognizes trends and shifts, what matters most is acting on those observations and developing distinct strategies for incorporating strength training.
For LSU, part of the solution is found in the fitness floor layout itself. The department offers “neighborhoods” throughout the facility — zones distributing strength and cardio equipment throughout the space rather than separating them into distinct areas. This design allows students to move through different machines and areas without feeling confined or overwhelmed.
“These spaces create the opportunity for beginners to try new equipment or venture into different areas without feeling intimidated,” said Reynolds. “It also enhances the ability to meet the desired functional training spaces that users are looking for.”
LSU recently invested in new EGYM equipment in an effort to provide more diverse strength training offerings. Reynolds explained how the team hopes this move will continue to expand reach to beginners and allow all users to build their strength training knowledge.
The team at MSU takes a similar approach to layout. Lewellen explained how today, the design is more intentional and user-centered than it was five years ago. On the fitness floor, the team prioritizes versatility, movement flow and alignment with how students actually train today.
“The layout naturally creates an ‘on-ramp’ experience, where beginners can start in more approachable areas and gradually build confidence before transitioning into more advanced training zones,” said Lewellen. “At the same time, experienced users still have access to high-performance spaces that meet their needs.”
At Fairfield, there’s a growing student population, but a facility that hasn’t expanded to match present challenges. So, the approach has been about maximizing efficiency. Kabel explained how his team has been prioritizing multi-use equipment — specifically Life Fitness towers with dual-pulley systems, which allow multiple students to train at the same time — to get the most out of limited space.
For any campus rec department looking to strengthen its own offerings, the key takeaway from these teams is the importance of listening to your students.
Whether through surveys or conversations, firsthand feedback is one of the most reliable ways to guide equipment and programming decisions. A recreation advisory board at Fairfield, made up of five students, provides input that directly informs department decisions.
Beyond listening to students, it’s vital to talk to peers and vendors.
“We spend a lot of time at conferences, workshops and visiting other university campuses,” said Olken-Dann. “We’re constantly talking to rec directors here in Connecticut and hosting vendors to determine what the next thing we need in the facility is, or just sharing information about what pieces of equipment are trending and what’s not.”
Fairfield has worked with the same representatives from Matrix Fitness and Life Fitness since Kabel joined the department, and this continuity has helped shape a coherent, long-term vision.
Another key piece of advice is to design for all experience levels. LSU’s neighborhood model, MSU’s on-ramp layout and Fairfield’s private spaces all reflect the same underlying philosophy: a well-designed facility should feel accessible to a first-time gym-goer without shortchanging experienced lifters.
“Remember that strength training isn’t just about equipment,” said Lewellen. “It’s about creating an environment where students feel confident, capable and connected.”
Finally, it’s vital to distinguish trends from fads. Before committing budget to new equipment, Reynolds recommends asking if it has staying power. Pilates has decades of history behind it, while the viral 12-3-30 treadmill workout may not signal a demand for more treadmill equipment. Being a thoughtful consumer of trends is just as important as evolving with them.
Modern strength training spaces are more inclusive, intentional and dynamic than ever. The departments leading the way aren’t just reacting to what students want, but shaping the programs and spaces that will define campus recreation in the years to come.
