Living on an island with only one high school can have its ups and downs. Marco Island Academy offers high-ranked academic classes along with having talented sports teams. To add to the school’s many opportunities, MIA has its building dedicated to fitness. This room features a wide variety of cardio machines and weight-lifting equipment. This room is mainly occupied by the football team and occasionally the weight training class as well. 

With many other sports teams offered at MIA, it is strange that the weight room often only seems to be used by football players. Recently, a poll was created to record the voices of MIA students. This poll received 96 responses from students of all grade levels. The poll included questions aimed at targeting how often students attend an outside gym, and how much they pay to use it as a follow-up. If given the opportunity, how much would they be willing to pay to use the MIA weight room and what would be their most convenient time to occupy it?

How Often Do You Attend A Gym Currently?

 20 Freshmen already attend a gym outside of campus, with 10 of those attending twice a week.

20 Sophomores already attend a gym outside of campus as well, the majority attending daily.

12 Juniors already use a fitness center, 5 use daily, others 1-2 a week, and 2 only use on the weekends

12 Seniors claimed to be already using a gym, and half of the responses reported to be attending daily 

How much do you pay for a gym membership?

This question was crucial as it gives an inside look into what the students are paying for an outside gym when in retrospect we have a gym on campus unattainable at the moment. 

Out of 86 responses, 59.7% pay 25 dollars per month, 12.5% claim to pay 35 dollars per month, 5.6% report 40 dollars per month, and 22.2% report to pay over $40 per month. 

A regular gym membership tends to range from $15-25 dollars per month, and other premium gym memberships tend to range from 40 dollars per month and more. Which also does not include gas money used to drive to that facility. 

The majority of responses submitted were from lower-classmen. Access to the gym would be more appealing to them due to their inability to drive a vehicle.

Having a building aimed towards fitness on the campus of the school and having it accessible would save students money and only attract more students to better their health.

How Much Would You Ideally Be Willing to Pay for MIA’s Gym?

46.5% of respondents answered ideally $5 per month, 32.6% reported being open to paying $10 per month and 20.9%  answered $15 per month. 

A teacher or staff member would be responsible and would be required to be present in the occurrence of the room being used.

Teachers help with sports games and other activities across campus. They could have the opportunity when supervise the weight room.

The data reported in student voice shows that students are interested and would utilize the MIA weight room, and are willing to pay and participate. Teachers would be able to have the opportunity to supervise the weight room and would be making a profit for a couple of hours from one to three days a week. 

Young adults want a place where they can better themselves; being able to use a facility that is located on campus would prove to be very beneficial.