This has to be, without a doubt, the stupidest article the Herald has ever printed.

Emily, it sounds more like the women at SERF are being paranoid. And your opinion piece is nothing more than a baseless argument for women to get their own facility. Isn't there an Elaine Powers Figure Salon here in Madison that you can join so you won't feel so intimidated by big, husky men? Why should men have to put up with phobias like yours?

Do us all a favor and just go out jogging somewhere. Rent a Jane Fonda workout video and workout at home if you feel so uncomfortable around men. Better yet, find an all-female commune out in California, Colorado or Oregon where you won't have deal with men...and men won't have to deal with you!

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Emily you have successfully taken a step back for women's rights! In a country that wants women to be treated as equal, why then do women need their own facility to work out? Maybe we should also build a facility for different races and take even a further step back!

If a woman is self-conscious, this is her problem, not the University's. I would be willing to bet that there are just as many men that are intimidated to work out in these areas as there are women.... so maybe we should build a facility for men that are insecure.

Emily I though this was an awesome article and very true. I agree that working out with a bunch of meatheads is not my ideal workout and can be intimidating. I think a better alternative would be to have a seperate weight room for weight machines and a seperate room for free weights, because the machines are easier to use and you wouldn't be in the company of all of the jocks. To everyone who read this article without even considering what Emily had to say...learn to offer solutions and not just criticism.

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Womyn don't want to be excluded from anywhere a man can go, they just don't want any men to be there.

What justice is there about demanding womyn-only facilities in a world where men-only facilities are forbidden?

Just imagine the outrage if men were to ask for a men-only facility just because they were "self-conscious" about working out where a woman could see them?

Any man making this suggestion would be forced to attend a re-education camp for sexist running dogs!

Why restrict this to gender? Why not have two weightrooms, one where serious people workout, one where non-regulars do? Cost?

They already have one, it's called the Natatorium.

patrick klemz
Herald Sports

god, i thought the herald would be able to find at least one good opinion writer in the 40,000 students here. clearly im wrong. emily, this is the most ridiculous article i have ever read. stop sounding like a stuck up new york girl and realize things COST MONEY...the gyms (yes PLURAL because we have TWO AMAZING GYMS) are above what other schools have ten fold. so shut up and appreciate it.

I'm not Ruth Buzzy standing here!! I am not Ruth Buzzy!!

I couldn't agree more. Using the weight machines at any of the workout facilities on campus is embarrasing. Speaking as a fairly intellegent woman, I don't know how to use them, and they are clunky and designed for men! I would love to "women's weight hour" or something. It would be nice to be able to use the inner thigh machine without the guy next to me thinking about my crotch.

oh hunny you are such a woman. contrary to popular belief, but not all guys when they see a girl, only think about that girl. i know it seems weird, but we are actually thinking about what we are doing. get over yourself women.

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Where to start on this... First, it is too bad for you that you are intimidated... but trust me, no guy is thinking about how little a girl is lifting compared to them. It is way worse for a guy like me... a scrawny 140 pound guy... to walk into a weight room like that. Yet, I still do it. I am not screaming for my own weight room because I am half the size of those guys and have more reason to be intimidated by them than girls do.

Im glad to see we are going to revert back to the days of segregation. What a fantastic idea.

Why would a woman do an inner thigh machine if she weren't thinking about men?

Emily, I often go to the weight room to work out and I'm a woman. Granted the first time I went I didn't know exactly what to do, it's not a big deal. You don't make conversation with the guys working out and no one is staring at you. The place is surrounded by mirrors, the guys are checking themselves out. Take a deep breath, get over it, and walk in. The worst that happens is you don't go back. Not every girl on this campus is as freaked out as you are about a stupid weight room.

as a very heterosexual male.... im telling you women that you dont have anythign to worry about in weight rooms. Weight rooms are the gayest places on earth... turning every man into a guy trying to impress other men by how much they can lift. Get over yourself.

Hmmmm, just how many rooms will be needed?

Is just gender important? What about sexual orientation? One for trans-gender or will two be needed. Looks like we need five or six at least - maybe many more if racial or religious "self-consciousness" is also a problem that must be addressed.

"They already have one, it's called the Natatorium.

patrick klemz
Herald Sports"

Good call. Seems like this problem has been thought over and dealt with. Why do only Sports, Pat? You've done an opinion column here and there, and it's almost always better than 80% of the others.

Hey it's minus one on the number of rooms. No chance that there would be one for heterosexual males. That would be wrong!

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Women in general have absolutely no reason to be intimidated by men in weight rooms like that in the SERF. I used to be very obese and weak so I know something about feeling awkward in that type of environment. There's an important thing to realize: 90% of people in the SERF and other commercial gyms have absolutley no clue about what they are doing. Their work-out plans are a joke, their form is piss poor, their focus and intensity is non-existent, and their egos are too high. This goes for women just as much as men. Very few people at the SERF have achieved anywhere close to a level of athleticism that should inspire awe or intimidation in even in the most inexperienced novice. So just make sure you are working hard, working smart, and practicing good gym etiquette and no one will have any good reason to scoff at you, no matter how much you can lift.
Plus the fact that we're lifting weights in the first place means we're probably too self-concious to pay attention to what you're doing anyway.
And women's only exercise areas are not the answer. Every weight room specialized for women that I have ever seen has promoted only one mentality: that women are meant to be weak. The pitiful equipment that usually stocks these rooms is an insult to the physical potential women actually possess. In truth men and women ought to be lifting the same way. As a man, I would personally love to see more women in the weight room with a real desire to improve themselves. Hell, we need more men like that too.

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that last guy should seriously have a column of his own

Gosh Emily, you really struck a collective nerve with this column. Is it any wonder that women's issues are taking a back seat? Take whatsherface, that CEO at HP, for example. I overheard a conversation yesterday in which one of the guys said "It's about time these f$*#ing corporation stood up to these stupid f$*#ing feminists." You see, Emily, you bitch about every little nit-picky thing and people get tired of hearing it, and they're attitudes toward certain issues turn cold. Kinda scary, isn't it? I believe the word is "overkill."

So the next time you decide to write a column, choose a topic that appeals to everyone, not your own self-interest. You can only whine and complain so much before people star to become cynical. And look who pays the price in the end. Yep, women like me who want to fulfill our dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, and even CEOs, instead of trying to glide through life in a state of perpetual pessimism like you do. Yes, Emily, whou art a pathetic wretch. No doubt you have read all these posts and are now deeply in regret. Perhaps you'll learn something valuable from this experience. Education is what you're here for, isn't it?

Sincerely,
Heather Czerniak
Milwaukee
heatherczerniak@wapda.com

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As one of the few minorities (women) who work out in the weight room, I feel that your article lacks research. By not talking to any of the women or men who lift in the weight room, you'd see that no intimidation occurs. Guys are more worried about their own workouts and the guy lifting next to him over women. Plus newsflash, guys and girls know that in general, women can't lift as much a men. It's just not physically possible.
And the comment to the girl who said the weights are not women friendly, obviously she's never stepped foot inside the weight room. If she had, she'd see that there are dumbells that go as low as 5 pounds, and machine that are easy to adjust that also go as low as 10 pounds. Plus, if you have questions - that is what fitness consultants are for! Any girl that is intimiated to go to the weight room just needs to try and once and she'll see that it's not that bad!

Yeah I used to go to SERF, back in the days before they made it all nice! I never saw guys picking on or intimidating women in the weight room. Maybe you are just a little paranoid Emily. Everyone is welcome. We were lucky to have such facilities!

I have a solution: Run outside. It was almost 50 degrees yesterday. That's plenty warm. Also, Title IX is bullshit. Did it cross anyone's mind that maybe men want to play sports more than women???

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While we don't generally interfere with comments and discussion on this website, this has gotten completely out of hand. As it states in the comment form, offensive language, personal attacks and off-topic posting can and will be deleted.

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Charles Parsons, webmaster
The Badger Herald

Interesting pattern of censorship...quite arbitrary.

bring back the cheesecake/treadmill & truck-ass post it was a riot

I must concur with the previous post about the cheesecake treadmill. I spat my mocha frapuccino all over my uggs. I recommend finding whoever wrote that and giving them their own column.

Well........needless to say the Serf needs more space and more equipment. As a med student, I am aware of facility space utilization and for a prestigious college like this, I am ashamed. Rec Sports on many other campuses offers programs that are larger and more compressive than ours. I wish Rec Sports would demolish the Nat and build a new state of the art facility with more weight room space (that CANNOT be shut down by p.e. classes) and cardio space. Why do you need eight gyms at the Nat and eight at the Serf? Get rid of one at each facility and make a weight room out of it. I'm tired like everyone else of walking all the way to the Serf after class (because the Nat is terrible) and having to wait for equipment. The campus needs to step in and do something about this. The pissed off med student.

One thing is accurate in this article...Upgrades are desperately needed to the Rec Facilities. Contrary to what ne poster wrote, the UW is WAY behind in Rec Facility quality. Just take a look at the rest of the Big Ten Institutions and you will notice a drastic difference in the quality and size of the facilities. Ohio State will soon open up the largest Rec Center in the country and all other Big Ten school have opened or will open new state of the art Student Rec Centers within the next year.

The one point of inaccuracy was a failue to get accurate data. There were actually MORE women users at the SERF this past year than men, a fact that can easily be backed up by the Rec Sports staff. Clearly, there is a need to upgrade facilities to make all students feel welcome, and it is up to the student body to make enough noise that it gets done SONNER rather than later.

Emily, it is necessary to point out the problem witht he facilities rather than make it a gender issue. UW has not upgraded their facilities (With the exception of the already too small cardio room) is over 20 years, and in the NAT's case, in over 40 years. There is a stronger need on this campus rather than addressing a weak gender issue...It is upgrading the facilities into a more welcoming atmosphere for ALL users.

Perhaps if students make enough noise on this campus, the recreational facilities can be as nice as some of the athletic facilities. As of now, they are of a low quality in both appearance and size. But a gender issue? I see just as many women as men in these facilities.

Gender separated spaces is NOT the solution. Larger and more welcoming Rec facilities ARE the answer.

Maybe UW can get in the 21st century when it comes to Rec Facilities. I am a transfer student from OSU and we are currently renovating our old facilities...Even our old facilities are MUCH nicer than UW's. The NAT is a waste of space. The SERF? Come on.

One thing for sure based on all the feedback is that Rec Sports needs to pony up and make serious improvments, renovations or even just start over - but just who is going to pay for it? How much more in seg fees are we willing to pay? Those of you who commented comparing the UW to other Big Ten schools or just other campuses in general - how much of your seg fees went to support the Rec Sports progams there?

I wish you women would quite b*!ching and just work out. We are there to workout, if I wanted your number I'd come talk to you.

I have a solutions for everyone's stupid arguments: Go to the Princeton Club.

I don't understand why there are so many doors in Rec Sports facilities. You can't find your way around the Nat and Serf if you had g.p.s and a map of the facility. And the dirt! Wow, the walls need to be painted, floors cleaned and the rugs inside the Serf. Yuck! My friends and I are having a contest to see how long it takes to clean the rugs inside the front doors. Everyday I come over from Witte I am discussed to see them. I only come over for their Im's, aerobics classes and to meet my Physique Trainer. Come on, can we so something about this?

If you need some help with the equipment, just ask. I'm the hot guy over by the treadmills. See ya soon hottie!

The Princeton Club SUCKS! Have you seen there equipment? Yes maybe their building is better than the Rec but the equipment is not even close. Since the Serf redid their equipment last summer it's much better. My friend is a personal trainer there and he said that much of the equipment is old and that they bought from a bunch of clubs that were going out of business. That's nice, let's lay on ancient repainted equipment in a new building.

Screw you! The Princeton Club doesn't compare to the Serf and Nat Strength equipment. Good try.

I agree with the last person. The Serf is much better..............well the equipment rather is much better.

Equipment might be nicer, but the UW facilities suck.

I agree about the cleanliness of the facilities. THe equipment is always dirty and no one uses the towels to clean after themselves. Why does Rec Sports staff not assist in cleaning? The facilities are poor. I still use them, but I wish we had a cleaner place to go.

First, the serf is way bigger than it was before. You clearly have no idea how great it is now. If women can't get on a machine in the cardio room then they need to be patient or use the track, its got a large capacity. Finally there are fitness consultants in the weight room to answer any questions anyone has. All you need to do is go in the room and ask the people standing around in the black shirt.

As an employee of the SERF, Emily's comments are the misconceptions that many patrons have. In an effort to address her issues with the cardio room, she should take a step back and evaluate the fees in her tuition that go towards rec sports...it comes out to about 20 dollars a semester. The financial burden of the SERF is alone the biggest problem that we run in to in trying to provide the best for our patrons. Instead of pointing out all of the inadequacies, her time would be much better spent lobbying to increase rec fees in our tuition or becoming involved in fund raising efforts to support SERF and Nat renovations. Instead of merely pointing out flaws, suggest ways to fix them. It is my understanding that people are much more open to positive suggestions than they are to complaining and criticism. As far as her concerns about the weight room, there is some validity to this argument. However, if she chooses to do so, she should walk about 50 feet east of the free weight room to a room we lovingly call the free motion room. This room is often completely or almost completely empty and far less intimidating. If free weights are your cup of tea, grab a friend, guy or girl, and buddy up for a couple of times in order to become more comfortable with your surroundings. Trying out the free weight room for the first time is like being a freshman in college. No one is really sure what is going on but is convinced everyone else does. And, just like they tell you at freshmen orientation, help is available but no one will hold your hand to find it. At the SERF we employ wonderful people we call fitness consultants. They are floating between the cardio room and the free weights room, and it is their job to assist you in using the equipment, and as an added bonus, during the peak hours of 4pm and 8pm we have TWO fitness consultants on duty to accommodate the large influx of patrons. While Emily's concerns are commonly shared by many of the patrons, she, like they, do not realize how aware we are of the flaws in the system and how we do everything in our power to try to overcome them. So Emily, step up and support your fellow serfers, both employees and patrons, in an effort to make rec sports more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

First, the serf is way bigger than it was before. You clearly have no idea how great it is now. If women can't get on a machine in the cardio room then they need to be patient or use the track, its got a large capacity. Finally there are fitness consultants in the weight room to answer any questions anyone has. All you need to do is go in the room and ask the people standing around in the black shirt.