<p>During winter times, do the BU shuttles ever experience long and grueling delays because of the snow? And is there any problems with shuttles getting overcrowded? I’m deciding on whether to get a train ticket or not.</p>
<p>Is the FitRec considered a social hangout? For example, would it be normal to see students just surfing the net on stools or benches? Also, would it be inappropriate for me if I from time to time I visit the FitRec just to take advantage of the showers? I’m sharing a bath with six others, so any alternatives are welcomed.</p>
<p>I mean during huge snow storms or really bad weather all types of traffic will be delayed (sometimes the T) as well. Usually the BU bus is pretty good though and it’s on time give or take a minute. They do get overcrowded at times but you learn to live with it. It’s free and convenient so you just suck it up.</p>
<p>The Fitrec is not considered a social hang out. There’s chairs and a lounge area near the cafe but for the most part people just come there to work out and then they leave. The GSU is more of a hang out.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t be inappropriate for you to use the showers. I just don’t see how it would be necessary…even with 6 other people.</p>
<p>If it’s raining or snowing, the shuttle definitely does get overcrowding, a few times I haven’t been able to even get on - But on the other hand, the T isn’t really much better, given that it runs less predicatably, you never really know when to leave if you want to make it to class. Usually I just grab an umbrella and deal with the rain, you get used to the walk. </p>
<p>There are a bunch of chairs and tables near the cafe in Fitrec, but usually its just people taking a break from working out or waiting from someone, I’ve never seen people just hanging out there. I don’t really see how gym showers would ever be preferable to even communal dorm showers, but I guess you could if you really wanted to.</p>
<p>Going with the shuttle question, is it absolutely necessary during winter weather? How is traveling by foot instead? Specifically, if I want to walk between Mugar Library, FitRec and Super 88 in Allston. I never experienced winter in Boston so I might be underestimating the footwork…</p>
<p>Something off topic: I have the option between the Apartment 500, 1000 and the six dining plans. I don’t eat much, but I just don’t know if I should pick one for the sake of convenience or pass the dining plans altogether and be conservative, budgeting my meals and such…suggestions?</p>
<p>The walk between Fitrec and Mugar isnt really far at all, only about 5-10 minutes, depending on how fast you walk. In fact, you probably won’t really save much time at all on the shuttle. The shuttle is a lot more helpful if you live on a far end of campus, like Myles or Hojo in Kenmore, or in a West Campus dorm, and want to get to somewhere on the otherside.</p>
<p>It’s not considered weird to go to Fitrec just to shower. My friend lived in West and the communal bathroom on her floor got so nasty over the weekends that she preferred to shower at the gym.</p>
<p>Fitrec probably wouldn’t be too crowded in the middle of the day, say 10am - 1pm, late enough to avoid the morning workout people, and when a lot of people have class, or on a Sunday morning. It’s an absolute nightmare at around 4-5pm on weekdays. It’s not too bad if you go later on weekdays, around 7-11pm (when I usually go).</p>
<p>I’ve also noticed it change from week to week on how crowded it is at what times, nor have I been the most consisten gym-goer, so someone else might want to correct me if they think I’m wrong.</p>
<p>@OP, everyone told DD not to get the T pass. Charlie cards, which are hard plastic and can be reloaded, are what almost everyone has…you just don’t use the T pass enough to make it pay. They were right…between walking and the BU bus, it’s much less expensive to fill a rechargeable card as you need it.</p>
<p>If I don’t want to rent an annual locker but want to take a shower in the locker room, do I leave my clothes and bag outside in the day locker or is there a place for my belongings in the locker room? And do I really have to ask someone for a locker room code to enter? O.o</p>
<p>@shoot4moon, thanks, I’ll have to get a Charlie Card. Do they give that out during orientation?</p>
<p>Also…you can take a shower without an annual locker? I don’t even know how the gym’s structured…are the shower stalls in the locker room or somewhere else? I hope there’s a tour available for fitrec during or after orientation.</p>
<p>The locker room is locked from the outside, there’s a keypad lock on the door - just ask anyone at the gym for the code and they will happily give it to you. Inside the room, there are shower stalls, the annual lockers, as well as benches where you can leave your stuff if you don’t have a locker. So to answer your question - you do not need to rent a locker to be able to use the showers!</p>
<p>@Hanita, thanks for explaining. I guess I could leave my stuff on the benches. I’m just a bit paranoid about thefts ever since I saw Youtube videos about novices shimming locks open…are belongings in fitrec generally safe as long as it’s in the lockers or locker room?</p>
<p>Well there is a digital keypad lock, so I don’t suppose it can be opened by a lockpick. Theoretically, only BU students can get inside the gym (you have to swipe your BU ID), so you don’t need to worry about people from the outside. Depends how much faith you’re putting into the BU community. I haven’t heard about any theft incidents at Fitrec, and I feel ok leaving my stuff in the locker room. I take my iPhone with me to listen to music while I exercise, and I usually don’t bring a wallet to the gym at all (all you need is your BU ID anyway).</p>
<p>As with any public place you should exercise caution and secure your valuables or better yet leave them at home. Locks are available at the pro shop for loan (no charge) and can be used for day lockers located outside the locker rooms.</p>