Michael & Larry Smith Fitness Center to Open Tuesday, Sept. 8

BOSTON – Suffolk University's community is invited back to the state-of-the-art Michael & Larry Smith Fitness Center for the 2020 Fall Semester following the Labor Day holiday.  

In order to best promote the health and safety of all facility patrons, new protocols have been implemented. Due to these new protocols, certain equipment and areas of the Fitness Center may not be available for use.  

The Fitness Center, which is located on the first floor of the Ridgeway Building and named after Suffolk's prominent alumni Michael S. Smith '61 and Larry E. Smith '65, will open its doors Tuesday, Sept.; 8 at 10:00 a.m. The fitness center will operate on a block system with two 30-minute workout blocks followed by a one 30-minute cleaning block. 

Although the Fitness Center is open to Suffolk's entire community of current students, faculty and staff, the total capacity has been reduced to 16 individuals per workout block broken down by 15 patrons and one staff member. Patrons will swipe their own Suffolk ID and confirm registration with a staff member when they enter.  

Faculty, staff and current students interested in using the Fitness Center will be required to reserve a spot via an online reservation system here. Patrons are allowed to book up to two 30-minute workout blocks per day period. Reservations must be made more than 12 hours before the workout time and cannot be made more than one week in advance of the desired workout time. Spots are broken down as follows: five (5) free weight/machines, four (4) treadmills, three (3) bikes, two (2) ellipticals and one (1) stairstepper. 

HOW TO RESERVE A BLOCK IN THE MICHAEL & LARRY SMITH FITNESS CENTER

STEP 1: GO TO HTTPS://SUFFOLK.LIBCAL.COM
STEP 2: CLICK "BOOK A SEAT/SPACE"
STEP 3: CLICK "LOCATION" DROP DOWN MENU; SELECT "FITNESS CENTER." CLICK "SHOW AVAILABILITY" TO ACCESS BOOKING SCHEDULE
STEP 4: USE "GO TO DATE" TO FIND DESIRED DATE. SELECT DATE
STEP 5: SELECT PREFERRED MACHINERY AND TIME BLOCK(S) IN GREEN. RED BLOCKS CANNOT BE BOOKED.
STEP 6: CLICK "SUBMIT TIMES" BELOW BOOKING SCHEDULE
STEP 7: FILL OUT BOOK DETAILS FORM - FULL NAME, EMAIL, STUDENT (STAFF) ID # AND PHONE NUMBER. CLICK "SUBMIT MY BOOK"
STEP 8: RECEIVE EMAIL CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING 

Everyone in the Fitness Center is required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times. Additionally, everyone is required to practice social distancing of six feet at all times and wipe down equipment before and after use. The bathrooms in the facility will be accessible, however, there will be no access to shower rooms. 

These newly adopted policies and procedures have been added to the already standing practices of the Fitness Center, which are as follows: 

• Facility is open to current Suffolk University staff, faculty and students. No guest or alumni access.
• A valid Suffolk University ID must be presented and scanned at time of entry
• Street clothes and street shoes are not permitted in the fitness center. Please wear sneakers and athletic clothes. Shirts are required.
• Cell phones are to be used for music only with earbuds or headphones. Please avoid phone calls and conversations.
• Profanity and foul language are prohibited in the fitness center. 
• Personal items are to be placed in a cubby or locker while using the facility. 
• Please return all weights and equipment to their designated rack immediately after use. 
• All cardio and strength equipment must be wiped down after use. Disinfecting wipes will be provided. 
• Only water bottles and containers with lids (shakers, Nalgene, etc.) are permitted in the facility. Food, cans and glass bottles and open containers of any kind are never permitted. 
• Personal training is not permitted.

If you have any questions regarding the new guidelines for the Michael & Larry Smith Fitness Center or need help with a reservation, please contact Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Juron at jjuron@suffolk.edu.