A Strategic Opportunity
At the College of the Holy Cross, wellness is deeply woven into student life. Inspired by a mission that champions care for the whole student body, the college saw a unique opportunity when its existing cardio equipment was due for an upgrade.
Rather than phasing out the outdated machines, Holy Cross chose to reimagine its entire fitness environment, using the refresh as a catalyst to better reflect the evolving needs and preferences of its students.
Jamie Shannon, Director of Campus Recreation, and Tyler Camuso, Operations Coordinator, shared:“This project was prompted due to our cardio equipment coming up on the end of its lifecycle and us wanting to use this opportunity to reimagine our space and equipment overall… We used this cardio refresh as a way to try and best meet students’ preferences and trends while using the facility.”
Demand-Driven Design
One key insight stood out early in the planning process; treadmills were in high demand. Peak times often had students waiting in line for access, while other pieces of equipment remained unused. In response, the college reduced lower-demand equipment and significantly increased the number of treadmills, ensuring the space aligned with what the students were wanting.
The Holy Cross team didn’t just stop there. To ease congestion in the weight room downstairs, two new half racks were added. This created new zones for strength training and encouraged broader use of the facility. The reimagined layout also unlocked more open space for stretching, circuit-style workouts, and wellness space for students. What began as just a simple routine upgrade quickly became a mission driven transformation. An intentional effort to support the student well being through smarter design, increased access and a space that reflects the community it serves.
Tailored through Teamwork
To bring their vision to life, Holy Cross worked closely with Advantage Sport & Fitness to develop an equipment mix and layout tailored specifically to the needs of their students. The process was hands-on and highly collaborative, with open lines of communication from start to finish.
“Dean and Nick were great assets throughout this process” said Jamie Shannon, Director of Campus Recreation. “We met with both of them multiple times to discuss layout, types of equipment, logos, and delivery details. Their hands-on assistance helped this process go as smoothly as possible. They were both very responsive to any and all questions that we had.”
By working closely with the Advantage team, Holy Cross was able to fine-tune every detail, from branding to functionality, ensuring that the final space not only met technical requirements, but truly reflected the character and goals of the campus community.
Creating Visual Cohesion
Bringing the college’s mission and values to life through thoughtful design played a key role in the equipment selection process.
For the cardio zone, Holy Cross opted for an all-black aesthetic, creating a sleek, unified look that complemented existing equipment in both the main facility and the satellite location.
In contrast, the new half racks were intentionally designed to stand out. Custom touches, including the Holy Cross spirit logo marking the base of the wood flooring and branded weight plates, were added with the goal of bringing pride, identity, and energy to the space.
"We collaborated closely with Advantage Sport & Fitness throughout the equipment selection and layout process, relying heavily on their expertise to recommend suitable options and provide multiple layout configurations. Their team was responsive and flexible, making thoughtful adjustments during installation to ensure the final setup worked well within the space once equipment was in place."
Jamie Shannon
Director of Campus Recreation at the College of the Holy Cross
Equipped with Purpose
Every piece of equipment in the upgraded facility was selected with purpose. Holy Cross further elevated its fitness space with the addition of Peloton Bikes+, introducing interactive, on-demand training to the facility. With access to a wide variety of cardio and strength classes, students now benefit from a more engaging and personalized fitness experience.
Jamie Shannon, Director of Campus Recreation shared with the Advantage team, “We have noticed that the bikes get high use and like that, our office can now provide access to the high quality and wide variety of Peloton offerings.”
In addition to the Bikes+, the updated layout created extra space for users who prefer circuit-style workouts, allowing them to move freely while others use nearby cardio machines.
Stronger Together
This project stands as both a renewal and a reflection of Holy Cross’s commitment to evolving with excellence, prioritizing student well-being and adapting to change as the needs of the student body evolve. Investing in this space supports not only the success of current students and athletes but also ensures the facility continues to stand out for future Crusaders. It represents one important piece of the broader foundation the college is building to foster ongoing growth, engagement, and campus pride.
