BRIDGEWATER, Va. -The Funkhouser Center at Bridgewater College is preparing to open a new functional fitness space designed to broaden workout options and support movement-based training.
The renovation converts a former racquetball room into a multipurpose training area featuring kettlebells, battle ropes and open floor space for high-intensity interval training and mobility exercises.
Campus Recreation Director Lori Schrock said the project was guided by student feedback collected through a campus recreation survey.
“Students were asking for this type of space, even if they didn’t know it by name,” Schrock said. “We wanted to create something that offers a different style of training and appeals to more people.”
Functional training differs from traditional strength training by emphasizing multi-joint movements that engage multiple muscle groups at once. Rather than isolating a single muscle, exercises focus on improving balance, coordination, flexibility and strength in ways that translate to everyday activities, according to Prime Intensity Training, a fitness education and coaching organization.
Functional training often emphasizes foundational human movement patterns, such as pushing, pulling, squatting, hinging, lunging, bending and walking, which are considered essential for daily physical activity and long-term joint health. According to Strength Matters, a fitness education organization, developing proficiency in these basic movement categories can improve overall strength and mobility, reduce risk of injury, and create a more balanced approach to physical fitness.
Schrock said the new space prioritizes movement and flexibility over dense equipment placement.
“Once you start using the equipment, you need room to move, jump and travel,” she said.
Jason Bonk, a manager at the Funkhouser Center, said student staff members have been trained to support students who may be unfamiliar with functional training equipment.
“We’ve spent time learning the equipment so we’re prepared to help students feel confident using it,” Bonk said. “We want it to feel welcoming, especially for people trying something new.”
Bonk added that staff members are encouraged to actively assist students and demonstrate equipment when needed to make the space more accessible.
The Funkhouser Center also includes a stretching station with instructional placards outlining exercises for different muscle groups. Schrock said the station has become popular among students seeking mobility-focused workouts.
In her role, Schrock oversees daily operations within the facility, including equipment maintenance, student staff training and group fitness programming. She emphasized that creating an inclusive environment is central to campus recreation’s mission.
“My role is making sure our staff are trained, facilities are running smoothly, equipment is in good shape, and students feel comfortable coming in, whether they’re here to work out or just need help,” she said.
Staff members will introduce the new space to students during National Campus Recreation Day on Feb. 16 with guided demonstrations and mini-workout sessions. Depending on interest, the department may expand programming to include group fitness classes or individual instruction sessions.
“We’re going to see what students want,” Schrock said. “If they want classes, we’ll offer classes. If they want one-on-one support, we can do that too.”
The functional fitness space is expected to open once final equipment pieces arrive and are installed.
Bonk said he hopes the addition encourages more students to explore alternative approaches to fitness.
“This gives people another option,” he said. “Not everyone prefers traditional workouts, so this might help more students find something that works for them.”
