Palo Alto High school is restricting weight room access to only student-athletes during their team practices, leaving other students without easy and free access to a gym and sparking outrage among some students.

Senior Jacob Kinsky said he and many others depend on the weight room for exercise and socializing.

“Between the spring of my freshman year and winter of my sophomore year, I was in there every day as much as I could,” Kinsky said. “By the end of it, I was a lot more confident about myself and happier.”

In response to the student concerns, Athletic Director, Jennifer Crane explained the decision behind these restrictions.

“It’s [the weight room] is also a learning space on campus, just like the Performing Arts Center, just like the library, just like classrooms,” Crane said. “After school, all of those facilities are shut down to students unless they have appropriate supervision.” Crane explains that she doesn’t see it as a weight room closure, but as reallocating resources to better serve student athletes.

“We’ve reallocated our resources within Paly athletics for our coaching stipends to support our student athletes,” Crane said. “I see it as an opportunity for our student athletes to rise to the next level of competition by receiving appropriate strength and conditioning”

Kinsky is trying to reopen the weight room for everyone by getting over 1100 students to sign the petition, as of Sept. 27.

“About 99% of the kids I’ve asked to sign my petition say yes,” Kinsky said. “They’re genuinely enthusiastic about the idea of reopening the gym.”

Kinsky said it is still unclear how this decision will affect students.

“The weight room was a place where I could escape the pressures of school and life,” Kinsky said. “When I learned it was closed, I felt like it was somewhat personal, like I had been wronged.”