Accessing American University Gym As A Student

Students at American University in Washington, DC, can access a range of fitness facilities on campus. The main fitness facility is the Jacobs Fitness Center, which offers cardio and weight training equipment, as well as group exercise studios. Students can also access the Cassell Fitness Center, which has treadmills, ellipticals, cross trainers, bikes, and free weights, as well as two group exercise studios. Additionally, the Reeves Aquatic Center offers recreational swimming, and the Bender Arena provides open court time for basketball and other sports. To enter the fitness centers, students must complete a New Member Registration and present their AU ID card at the front desk.

What membership options are available?

Membership options at the American University Recreational Sports & Fitness facilities vary depending on the individual's affiliation with the university. All memberships include access to the Jacobs Fitness Center, Cassell Fitness Center, recreational swim in the Reeves Aquatic Center, open court time in Bender Arena, and access to outdoor facilities.

Full-time Employees: All 'benefits-eligible' faculty and staff of the university may pay for membership on an annual basis or via payroll deduction.

Part-time Employees: Part-time employees, including adjunct faculty, can obtain memberships on a semester basis.

Student Family: Registered students may enroll their family in a membership on a semester basis. Family must be living in the same household as the student. The cost is $166 per semester.

University Affiliate: People who work full-time on campus (and are not paid through the university) and/or part-time faculty and staff can purchase this membership on a semester basis. This includes adjunct faculty, Aramark employees, and Capital One Bank employees. The individual membership costs $203 per semester.

Friends of American University: Any current Wesley Seminary student, faculty, or staff or participants in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at AU can purchase a semester membership. Proof of affiliation is needed. The individual membership costs $228 per semester.

Alumni: American University graduates can purchase an annual Alumni membership. They also receive a 10% discount if they are AU donors.

Recent Graduates: Graduates can extend their memberships from their graduation in May into the subsequent summer with a summer membership. This allows entrance to the facilities through August 31 (Law Reviewer membership runs through July 31) of the same year. After this date, an Alumni membership must be purchased. The individual membership costs $356.

Local Residents: Local residents and their families can purchase memberships on an annual basis. Memberships run for 1 year from the date of enrollment. The individual membership costs $1,202.

Payroll Deduction Memberships: Full-time faculty or staff members can activate their membership via payroll deduction.

What are the rules for using the gym?

To use the gym at American University, you must be an enrolled student with at least one credit hour, or a member of the RecFit program. Students must complete a "New Member Registration" before their first visit. All participants must present a valid AU ID card at the front desk upon entering the gym.

There are strict rules regarding the use of the lockers. The lockers are not for overnight use, and the gym is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. It is recommended that you bring your own lock, but locks are available for sale. There are also annual or semester lockers available for rent.

Courtesy and appropriate attire are expected at all times. Shirts must be worn at all times, and appropriate exercise clothing and shoes are required. This includes athletic shoes, and no sandals, flip-flops, jeans, or offensive clothing are allowed.

Abuse of the equipment will not be tolerated. This includes dropping weights and not returning them to the proper rack. Olympic weight lifting is not permitted in the Jacobs and Cassell Fitness Centers.

Food and drink are not permitted, except for water in closed containers.

Members may bring up to two guests per day for $15 per guest. All guests must be accompanied by the member at all times, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

What facilities are available?

American University's Recreational Sports and Fitness facilities include the following:

• Jacobs Fitness Center — The main fitness facility on campus, located within the Sports Center. It houses the Athletics Strength & Conditioning and Wrestling rooms, and offers a variety of cardio and weight training equipment, as well as a group exercise studio.
• Reeves Aquatic Center — Also located within the Sports Center, the aquatic center features an 8-lane, 25-yard lap pool and a 3-lane, 20-yard teaching pool. Access is available via the Jacobs Fitness Center general locker rooms during recreational swim hours.
• Cassell Fitness Center — An 8,000-square-foot open fitness facility concept located on the north side of the main campus, in Cassell Hall (separate entrance from the residence hall). It offers cardio and weight training equipment, as well as two group exercise studios with a divider that can be raised to create one large studio.
• Congressional Fitness Center — A multi-use facility located on East Campus within Duber Hall (separate entrance), primarily used for fitness classes and small group training.
• Bender Arena — Located in the Sports Center, Bender Arena hosts various events, including Commencement and athletic games. Members can access the arena through the Jacobs Fitness Center and enjoy drop-in basketball and other court activities during open court hours.
• Greenberg Track and Reeves Athletic Complex — A premier soccer facility featuring a six-lane track for AU track & field.
• William I Jacobs Recreational Complex — An Astroturf surface, softball diamond, and two outdoor sand volleyball courts.
• Massachusetts Ave. Field — A grass field primarily used for Intramurals and Athletic practices.

The university also offers a range of fitness classes, such as Cycle, Yoga, and Zumba, as well as special events and sports tournaments and leagues.

How do I sign up?

To sign up for the gym at American University, you must be a student enrolled in at least one credit hour to qualify for a student membership. Before your first visit, you need to complete your "New Member Registration" online. This must be done before your first workout. There is no extra cost to activate your membership as long as you are enrolled in classes.

To access the gym, you must have your AUID, which the front desk staff will swipe to check you in. You must also present a valid AU ID card.

If you are a student family member, you can enrol in a membership on a semester basis. This includes a student's partner/spouse and their children under 18 years old. The cost is $166 per semester.

If you are a new student, you can also take a moment to complete your online fitness centre registration.

For non-students, there are several membership options. These include:

• Full-time employees: All 'benefits-eligible' faculty and staff can pay for an annual membership or via payroll deduction.
• Part-time employees: Part-time employees can obtain memberships on a semester basis.
• University affiliate: People who work full-time on campus and are not paid through the university, as well as part-time faculty and staff, can purchase a semester-based membership. This includes adjunct faculty, Aramark employees, and Capital One Bank employees. The individual cost is $203 per semester.
• Friends of American University: Any current Wesley Seminary student, faculty, or staff or participants in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at AU can purchase a semester membership. Proof of affiliation is needed. The individual cost is $228 per semester.
• Alumni: An American University graduate can purchase an annual Alumni membership.
• Recent graduates: Graduates can extend their memberships from their graduation in May into the subsequent summer. This allows entrance to the facilities through August 31. The individual cost is $356.
• Local residents: Local residents and their families can purchase an annual membership. The individual cost is $1,202.

What are the busiest times?

The busiest times at the American University gym are typically at the beginning of each semester, in September and January, and between 5-8 pm during the week all semester.

The gym is usually at its busiest during the first few weeks of the semester as students return to campus and settle into their routines. This is a great time to take advantage of the gym's facilities and meet new people. However, it is important to note that you may have to wait for your preferred equipment or spot in group classes during these peak times.

Throughout the semester, the gym tends to be busiest on weekdays between 5-8 pm. This is a popular time for students to work out after their classes or before heading home for the day. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere or want to avoid waiting for equipment, you may consider working out earlier in the day or during the middle of the day when there are typically fewer people at the gym.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the gym's busiest times may vary depending on the time of year, special events, or other factors. For example, more people may be inclined to work out indoors during bad weather, or the gym may be busier around New Year's when people set fitness-related resolutions.

Frequently asked questions