Ray Borawski ’28
Guest Writer
Students, both new and returning, came to campus a few weeks ago to find things looking a little different. While many of the new changes – the new scanners in Kimball, the renovations in Crossroads, and the revised trash policy – were discussed widely, some of the most impactful set of updates took place on the other side of campus. Two weeks ago, students were greeted with an email from campus recreation, informing them of a series of long awaited changes to the way the Jo operates.
To begin, the Jo now opens at 6:00 AM on weekdays, a change students have been eagerly anticipating, as many enjoy being able to get a workout in before classes. While this change hasn’t yet been extended to weekends, many students are still very excited about the revised hours.
To go along with the new schedule, the Jo has also introduced a vast array of new machinery, primarily a wide variety of new cardio equipment, updating some of the most popular machines the Jo has to offer. In addition to these, the Jo has acquired all new Peloton bikes, which starting this year will be accessible to all students and employees. Students can use these by either signing in with an existing Peloton account, or using their Holy Cross email to gain access to a selection of free workouts and classes. Seeing as cardio equipment tends to be very popular amongst the student body, the new options are sure to be a success amongst Jo regulars.
In addition to the cardio machines, the Jo is also acquiring some new weight lifting equipment and updating its existing amenities. Perhaps the most notable is the leg press machine which has been out of commission since last semester. This has been a major issue for students, who are now relieved that they can continue their leg workouts in peace.
The only alternative students have, other than the Jo, are the machines in the Loyola gym. While convenient for the residents in Loyola and Williams, it’s not viable for every student. It can often be a long walk to get to Loyola from the upper campus dorms and it’s far smaller than the Jo. This is why having these machines, both the new ones and the old ones, are so important to bring accessibility and functionality to students’ workouts.
While classes at the Jo remain largely the same, a new addition has been making waves among the student body. Trampoline rebounder group fitness classes are, for the first time ever, making their way to Holy Cross. These classes, where attendants work out on a mini trampoline, known as a rebounder have become increasingly popular amongst gym goers for their wide array of health benefits, and their fun, unique approach to working out. This will surely be a hit amongst workout classes here at the school.
The final change, and one of the most interesting, is the addition of a video game program to the college’s wellness and athletic programs. The Jo is introducing a new video game space, featuring a Playstation 5, as well as a Nintendo Switch. This coincides with the introduction of a new intramural league dedicated to the popular video game, Mario Kart. All of this is exciting news for Holy Cross’s video game and workout community.
All of these changes, from the new equipment to the new hours to the new classes, signal a positive direction for the college’s most popular athletic facility. These new changes speak to Holy Cross’s dedication to the care of the whole person, and will be remembered fondly by the student body for many months to come.
Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross
Copy Edited by Colette Potter ’26
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