17 days. Many countdowns like this are going on all over town. Spring Break is approaching the Plains faster than some would like.  Many students will be taking cruises to the Bahamas, Mexico, and other tropical locations. Other students will be road tripping to Destin, Panama City, and other closer locations in the states.  There is planning going on all over Auburn for the break.

You may notice more and more people outside walking and running to get any kind of exercise they can.  Everyone is trying to get that “spring break bod”.  Many people are noticing that the gyms are very busy also.

Collin Vaughan, an employee of Gold’s Gym for four years, says, “It is the same thing every year.  The two weeks before spring break the gym becomes packed all day every day.  People go on crash diets like crazy.”

Vaughan says that the gym stays busy all day.  He says the gym even runs special promotions to get people to come in. 

“This time of year, our workout classes like Zumba, BodyPump, and cycling are so crowded you have to show up early to get a spot,” he said. 

Students are also avoiding the typical fast-food restaurants and trying to eat extra healthy for the next couple of weeks. Healthier restaurants like Subway, Pita Pit, Momma Gs, and many others are starting to get a big crowd.

Nina Cotney, Auburn University junior, says, “ I am not going to be the biggest girl on my cruise ship.  I have been going to World’s Gym every night and running three miles.”

The local boutiques and clothing shops are also benefiting from the spring break hustle. 

“I like to go shopping downtown a couple times a week just to take a look at what the boutiques are getting in, so I can be on top of my spring break fashion,” Cotney says. 

Although most local restaurants, gyms, and boutiques will be basically dead once the students leave town to head to their warm tropical locations for the break, at least they are benefiting from the business of students preparing for spring break.