A lack of modern equipment at the Malkin Athletic Center (MAC) has driven some Harvard students to pay hundreds of dollars in fees to exercise in the WellBridge Center opposite the Charles Hotel.

"The MAC is disgusting," said Amy E. Herman '97, who was bothered enough to join WellBridge rather than work out at the MAC.

And Thi V. Luu '97, a Mather House resident, said she joined WellBridge because of the lack of tread-mills at the MAC and WellBridge's "better machines."

She also takes advantage of classes offered at WellBridge, which run the gamut from karate to aerobics and yoga.

The WellBridge Center facilities include Cybex nautilus machines, free weights and Kaiser pneumatic equipment. Additionally, more than two dozen new cardiovascular machines, including exercise bikes, treadmills, stairmasters and rowing machines are also available for use.

Monthly membership fees at WellBridge start at $103, which are paid in addition to a one-time $175 initiation fee.

The MAC provides 15 exercise bikes, six stairmasters and four rowing machines to University students. There are no treadmills.

John Wentzell, associate director of athletics, said he did not know the exact age of the MAC's Nautilus equipment, but said that it was there when he came to the University 10 years ago.

"The MAC is not a health club," Wentzell said. "We try to do the best with what we have."

Wentzell said space and financial constraints are the most important factors hindering improvements to the MAC.

"The MAC would be perfect if we had a campus of 2,000," Wentzell said. "The undergraduates are remarkably tolerant with what we have."

Undergraduates found at the MAC also expressed disappointment and frustration with the facility.

Anil S. Menon '99 complained that the MAC is "poorly lit" and said he was particularly disappointed with the "pre-historic weight room."

Leverett House resident Peter V. Esterhasy '99 agreed." My high school had better equipment," he said.

Describing the rush at certain key hours to get on one of the scarce cardiovascular machines, Wentzell said, "It comes to be a survival of the fittest."

In addition to the equipment on the main level, WellBridge offers a heated pool, complete with a whirlpool and potted cacti, an aerobic studio with a tiled wood floor and a locker room with a sauna and a steam room.

As member David Cheng '97 puts it: "WellBridge is just nicer."

Peter Brennan, general manager of the WellBridge Center, said that he does not know the exact number of Harvard students that use WellBridge, but estimated that 2 to 5 percent of its membership base was comprised of Harvard students.

Brennan said that WellBridge had placed three ads in The Crimson in the past year and had advertised in a coupon book provided to Harvard Law School students