Shawn Riebold (left) and Darin Stech of Gateway Fitness Services install upright and recumbent bicycles in the newly renovated fitness center in the Mark Twain Athletic & Fitness Center at UMSL. The campus community is invited to an open house for the center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 27. (Photo by Alicia Hottle-Sippy)

No more excuses! The new workout equipment has arrived!

Construction of the renovated fitness center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis in the Mark Twain Athletic & Fitness Center is complete. The campus community is invited to an open house for the center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 27.

“The Cybex Eagle selectorized strength line is top of the line, the best of the best,” said Larry Coffin, assistant director of Athletics during a tour of the equipment installation. “And key to the success of the cardio equipment is the integrated TV in each of the machines.”

The new advanced motion trainers such as ellipticals, treadmills and stair steppers should satisfy Cards fans, news junkies and HGTV devotees alike.

Cost of the $700,000 renovation was shared by the Department of Athletics, Campus Recreation and the Office of Student Affairs. It includes an athletic training room and office suite at the basement level.

UMSL students approved construction of a new and much larger $30 million recreation and wellness center in March. The Curators of the University of Missouri System gave final approval in June.

The center will be located just south of the Millennium Student Center. It will contain 94,000 square feet and include a three-court gymnasium, elevated track, weight and fitness space, a six-lane lap pool, rooms for yoga, spinning, classes, a lounge and game room, locker rooms with saunas, offices and a wellness center. The center is expected to open during the 2014-2015 academic year.