For many people, walking into a gym where intense, bulky guys are lifting double their body weight may be somewhat overwhelming. Instead of being intimidated by these boys who are turning into men, imagine what it would be like to walk into a gym feeling like you could join them.

Gyms are known to some as a place where people go to “get big,” but it is more commonly referred to as a place to work out, shed a few winter pounds, and get ready for that summer body. Most people prefer going to a place where they will not have to feel insecure about how much they are lifting.

Scituate High School’s Coby Cutler Fitness Center is the perfect place to go to if you want to be a part of this type of relaxing environment. Fortunately, it is available to all members of SHS and open all year round to anyone, as long as there is an adult supervisor in the room.

Both students and teachers go to the fitness center after school because they need a place to work out. Junior Halle Rodes said, “It’s a nice place to work out and it’s free and accessible.” There is no membership fee or any complicated forms to fill out. The only thing a student needs to do is fill out a liability form and turn it in on their first visit to the fitness center. They are then free to use the wide variety of machinery the fitness center offers, including cardiovascular equipment, weights, bench presses and more.

The fitness center is used frequently by sports teams, especially the winter track team on very cold days throughout their season. Winter track member freshman Thomas O’Brien said, “We can’t run in the hallways because of teachers’ complaints of it being disruptive after school. We have also been forced to share the same space that other Scituate teams use too, in this case the gym. With all respect to other teams, we don’t really have any other place go [besides the fitness center].” Because the track team is often discouraged from running in the hallways, they benefit greatly from being able to use the fitness center as a training facility.

All types of teams, not limited to the winter track team, use the fitness center to work out and prepare for their games or meets. Physical education teachers also use the fitness center throughout the year to teach their students how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Unlike some gyms, which seem to appeal to only intense bodybuilding athletes, the Coby Cutler Fitness Center benefits so many different people, ranging from members of sports teams to individuals who come on their own to stay healthy. Not only does it help people “get big” with the machinery it offers, but it also brings teams together and helps people stay in shape. This fitness center is a valuable and necessary addition to the community.