Fitness-minded students in Grant Towers now have more room to flex their muscles with a bigger weightroom in the basement of Grant Towers South.

The facility, dubbed the Tower of Power, was expanded about 1000 square feet to accomodate 100 new members. Kyo Mitchell, a member of Grant Towers senior staff and one of the weightroom coordinators, has worked to make the weightroom a better place to work out for the past four years.

Starting with only 700 square feet of space, Mitchell originally wanted an alternative place to exercise in order to avoid congestion at the Recreation Center. Now, with nearly 3000 square feet of space and more equipment, Mitchell hopes to establish “the best workout facility in the area.”

To do so, the extra space will be filled with several pieces of new equipment, including a stair machine and a machine allowing aspiring body builders to bench press safely without the need of a spotter.

Mitchell views the facility as a place of learning. It is a place where students can gain “self-assurance, self-confidence and discipline.”

A new feature of the facility will be a library containing books, magazines and videotapes designed to teach students to work out effectively. The library probably will open in October, Mitchell said. Library materials can be checked out by weightroom members, but the library also will be equipped with a video cassette player for interested students not able to view the tapes elsewhere.

Another added amenity is a new stereo system to provide music while students use the facility.

Robb Thirston, a GTS weightroom coordinator, said all of the money generated by sales of memberships goes back into the weightroom. Last year, about $10,000 was made which provided for this year’s renovations, he said.

Currently, memberships cost $25 for a semester or $45 for a year and are limited to residents of the Grant Towers complex. However, pending approval of the Residence Hall Association and Grant Hall Council, the doors will open to other students.

If the RHA does give the weightroom a green light, they might provide funding for security and instructors, Mitchell said.