Commute: A couple minute walk
Price: Free
Levels: All
Why, might you ask, am I reviewing Dodge Gym, which technically isn’t a single group fitness class? Your first thought may be price. Because all students of Columbia have free access to Dodge, it’s financially ideal for working out on a budget. However, price is not the defining reason for my decision to write about Dodge. This is not an endearing review of Dodge, and I have no doubt that you’d be hard-pressed to find any Barnard student who doesn’t feel this way about Columbia’s gym.
I’m sure many of you have tried out the ellipticals and treadmills in Dodge, if nothing else. If so, you also know that the majority of the time, the machines are signed up hours in advance, and it’s difficult to find a machine right away. My go-to alternative is to head down to lower level two, where there are more cardio machines with less traffic. You also don’t feel like you’re being watched by everyone running around the track and on machines next to you. Nevertheless, I’ve found that if I head to the gym around 9 to 10 p.m. during the week, I can, more often than not, get on a machine, whether it be an elliptical, stair climber or treadmill (usually you can’t be picky), pretty quickly. This aspect of Dodge, while a nuisance, isn’t necessarily the worst, and is actually pretty common for crowded gyms in New York City. Instead, I’d like to focus on the weight room (lower level one from campus level).
Firstly, I must say that I have a background both in crossfit and weightlifting. Though I don’t consider myself solely a weightlifter, I know what I’m doing when I walk into a weight room; I’m aware of correct body positions and which apparatuses to use for which muscle group day.
Nevertheless, I have never in my life felt as uncomfortable and weak as I do when I’m in Dodge. I’ve had my bar stolen from me IN BETWEEN SETS various times, along with my weights that I’m clearly in the process of using. On multiple occasions, I’ve had older men come up to me and tell me their—unsolicited—thoughts on my body positions in certain movements (often squats). Besides the obnoxious yelling of shot-up steroid-filled men, I constantly feel like I’m being scrutinized for lifting, and many don’t hesitate to let me know how they feel about it. I hate to stereotype, but the Dodge workout facility, specifically the weights room, contains a toxic level of testosterone. It is a very sexist zone, and I constantly feel like I’m second priority to everyone else simply because I’m a female lifting weights.
If I were to give advice to the beginner weightlifter, it would be this: DON’T go to Dodge. And if you must, take a friend, preferably a male who will be respected enough to prevent any uncomfortable stares from the surrounding criticizing environment. What is unfortunate is that while the Barnard gym provides a safer and less threatening alternative, it does not have any of the weight machines that Dodge does; there are no barbells and only two racks of dumbells. Thus, I’ve come to the conclusion that for those just dipping their toes, weightlifting is not an option on Columbia’s campus. Therefore, I urge you, fellow lifters, to go off campus.
Since I cannot recommend Dodge, I’ve found a couple gyms that offer better services at cheaper prices: Planet Fitness offers a $10/ month membership, and Synergy offers $30 per month memberships. New York Sports Club also offers more affordable options for students on a budget.