Jackie Tiedeman was tired. She was tired of waiting 30 minutes in line just to work out for 20 minutes on the elliptical machine.

Last January, Tiedeman (junior-human development and family studies) decided to take her business downtown.

"I stopped going because it was just so packed," she said. "I joined Bodyworks downtown."

Tiedeman said she paid $99 for a three-month membership at Bodyworks, 127 Sowers St., and loved not waiting to use the equipment.

"I never had space to do anything [at the White Building]," she said. "I went right in and could do exactly what I wanted at Bodyworks."

Many students hoped the newly renovated Rec Hall would alleviate some of the congestion at on-campus workout facilities, but crowds are driving more and more student business downtown, Chris Ankeny, general manager of Bodyworks, said.

Bodyworks has seen an increase in memberships this fall because of people like Tiedeman, Ankeny said.

"I know that people who are tired of waiting in line [on campus] come here," Ankeny said. "We've never been busy to the point of having to turn people away."

On-campus work-out facilities are typically crowded during the first few weeks of class, Chip Harrison, Penn State's head strength and conditioning coach, said.

"It's something we run into at the beginning of the semester because there isn't a lot of other stuff going on," Harrison said. "It takes a little while for things to settle down since people are still figuring out where and when they want to work out."

About 16,000 students currently have gym memberships. Despite the increase in student gym memberships this year, this should not cause a problem, Harrison said.

"It's a little higher than last year, but we have a brand new facility to use," Harrison said.

Rec Hall, which closed last spring for renovation and reopened this fall, can accommodate up to 200 students at once.

Between all of Penn State's campus fitness facilities, they should be able to accommodate most of the traffic, Harrison said. The White Building, Rec Hall, the IM Building and the Fitness Loft at the Natatorium combined can hold 510 students at once.

"We can't completely eliminate lines," Harrison said. "But it will become less of an issue because it smoothes itself out."

Other students said they use alternative methods to keep in shape or avoid the more crowded facilities.

Lisa Detwiler (junior-business management) said she participates in fitness classes to beat the crowds.

"If you go 15 or 20 minutes before, you're usually guaranteed a spot," Detwiler said. "I really like the classes. The girls that give the classes are very good."

Detwiler said she prefers the classes because she does not have to wait as long as she would for fitness equipment.

"It's better than waiting in line for half an hour to get in," Detwiler said. "And then, once you get into the gym, you have to wait again to get onto the machine you want to use."

Jenny Hughes (sophomore-finance) said she has started going to the Fitness Loft at the Natatorium because of the crowds at the White Building.

"A lot of people I know go to the Natatorium instead," Hughes said. "There are always so many girls waiting to use the machines [at the White Building]."

Despite the congestion at campus gyms, some say there are still downfalls to joining one downtown.

After the three-month period, Tiedeman decided the price was too big of a burden and ended her membership.

This fall, she began using on-campus facilities again.

"I had to stop going because of the price," Tiedeman said. "I would rather go to Bodyworks, but it just costs too much money."