The fitness center in McMahon Hall is set to close temporarily while it undergoes renovations that will improve both the quality of the equipment and the appearance of the room.

Located on the second floor of McMahon Hall, the fitness center is the only option that Fordham Lincoln Center students have for a proper exercise facility on campus. According to Gardy Jure, a McMahon Hall security guard, it is open to all current Fordham students: residents of McMahon as well as residents of McKeon Hall, commuting students and students based at the Rose Hill campus.

Senior Director of Residential Life Jenifer Campbell explained that the fitness center will be treated to several improvements, including a new paint job for the space.

In addition to the cosmetic upgrade, the center will receive a substantial amount of updated Precor and Concept brand equipment. Five new treadmills will replace the five that are currently there, both rowers will be replaced, and four stationary bikes — two upright and two recumbent — will replace the four old ones. There will also be seven new elliptical machines replacing two old ones, for a net total of five more elliptical machines.

Jon Uy, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’19, typically exercises at the fitness center four to five times a week. He noticed some of the machinery needed an upgrade and is glad that it is now happening.

“I think some of the equipment there has needed some upgrades for a little while now,” he said. “A good amount of the machines in there are showing decent age.”

Uy still expressed disappointment with the small size of the room. “Unfortunately, at least as I understand it, we’re not getting more space for machines,” he said, “which I think is the more pressing issue in the grand scheme of things. But this renovation should be a good step in the right direction for folks that don’t want to spend the money or the travel time for a YMCA membership.”

Uy was referring to the West Side YMCA, a popular option among Fordham Lincoln Center students, located at the corner of West 63rd Street and Central Park West — a five-minute walk from campus. One-month student memberships are available for $85. Fordham students are also offered a semester-long membership option for $110, partially subsidized through the university. For those hoping to stay active but not looking to purchase a membership, current YMCA members are given several guest passes for non-members.

An alternative exercise facility that students may utilize is the Ram Fit Center at Rose Hill, which is open from 6 a.m. until midnight on weekdays and 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on weekends.

The renovations will begin on Feb. 18 and last until Feb. 26.

“I am excited the upgrade is being made available for the Lincoln Center community,” Campbell said.