UA art students, from left, Chad Vickery, Bett Laycock, Michael Anthony Smith and Barbara Kilgore pose inside the new Spin Center. Download a high-resolution version

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A reception to recognize the art students who designed and constructed a group stationary cycling studio is 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 4 in The University of Alabama Student Recreation Center.

Four art students transformed the former racquetball court into a state-of-the-art Spin Center. The students created curves where corners had been and lined the walls in a fluid blue-and-white Plexiglas and metal design. The instructor can adjust light, sound and air-flow to match the workout, and the students improved sound quality with use of acoustic fabric.

Spinning is a cardiovascular workout using stationary bikes to simulate high-speed sprinting, heavy resistance climbing, and jogging. It’s self-paced, allowing for different fitness levels. Spinning is designed to relax the mind, in addition to the physical benefits, supporters say.

Senior art majors Anthony Smith, Tuscaloosa, Chad Vickery, Pinson Valley and Bett Laycock, Tuscaloosa, as well as graduate art student Barbara Kilgore, Pisgah, worked from November to April on the project. The students said they participated in spin classes and interviewed spin instructors and students to create the best design.

All the students are graduating next week. Kilgore is earning a Master of Arts, and the others are earning Bachelor of Fine Art degrees. Craig Wedderspoon, assistant professor of art and sculpture, supervised the students from their submission of designs through construction and completion of the center.

Kristen Davis, assistant director of the Student Recreation Center, said attendees of a recent fitness conference at her center were impressed with the new room.

“They said it was the most unique and best Spin Center they had ever seen,” Davis said. “They were amazed at the time and creativity put in to it.”

The Spin Center is located within UA’s Student Recreation Center, which was selected as one of the 2005 Outstanding Sports Facilities at the recently held National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Annual Conference and Expo. The UA Recreation Center was one of seven facilities recognized for the award.

The Student Recreation Center, which was expanded in summer 2004, includes two multi-use gyms, nine multi-purpose courts, weight machines, 1/8 mile jogging track, extensive cardio area, locker rooms, indoor swimming pool, dry and steam saunas, 12 lighted tennis courts, four aerobics rooms, eight racquetball courts, and a squash court — together encompassing more than 200,000 square feet.

The Center’s outdoor aquatic area, which opened in the summer of 2003, features a lazy river, lap swim, large water park-type slide, and lots of deck space.