UCLA Recreation: Gym Membership Options and Fees
UCLA, with its vibrant campus life, offers a wide array of opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage in recreational activities. UCLA Recreation oversees various facilities and programs related to health, exercise, and wellness. This article provides a comprehensive guide to UCLA Recreation, focusing on gym membership options, fees, and available programs.
What is UCLA Recreation?
UCLA Recreation is a department on campus that manages recreational activities related to health, exercise, and wellness. It oversees over 15 recreational and athletic facilities on campus, including the John Wooden Center (JWC), Intramural Field (IM Field), Drake Stadium, Swimming Pools, and Pauley Pavilion. UCLA Recreation also offers various fitness and wellness classes and programs such as GroupX, Martial Arts, and Teaching Kitchen.
Membership and Facility Access
UCLA Recreation provides extensive access to a broad range of recreational activities and services at various facilities across campus. UCLA students, through their tuition and fees, generally have access to recreation facilities and may purchase additional services. UCLA faculty, staff, emeriti, alumni affiliates (and their family members) are eligible to purchase a membership for access to programs and facilities.
UCLA Students
Undergraduate students enrolled in the current quarter and paying the Wooden & SPARC fees automatically get Rec facility access, including the John Wooden Center (JWC), Bruin Fitness Center (BFIT), Drake Stadium, Pools, Sunset Canyon Recreation Center (SCRC), and Tennis Courts. Graduate students have access to JWC, Kinross Recreation Center (KREC), Drake Stadium, Pools, SCRC, and Tennis Courts.
Students in self-supporting degree programs or those not enrolled in the current quarter can purchase a Rec membership. Recent graduates are eligible to purchase one additional quarter immediately following graduation. The pricing is $60 per quarter.
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UCLA Faculty & Staff
UCLA Faculty & Staff have access to JWC, KREC, Drake Stadium, Pools, SCRC, and Tennis Courts. New hires must wait 5-7 business days from the date of hire to be eligible to purchase a Rec membership.
Membership options include:
- Monthly AutoPay: $49/month
- Monthly Payroll Deduction: $49/month
- 30-day membership: $64
- One-quarter membership: $192
Payroll deduction is available for eligible UCLA faculty and staff and is charged monthly until canceled.
UCLA Emeriti & Retirees
UCLA Emeriti & Retirees have access to JWC, KREC, Drake Stadium, Pools, SCRC, and Tennis Courts. Membership options and pricing are the same as for Faculty & Staff:
- Monthly AutoPay: $49/month
- 30-day membership: $64
- One-quarter membership: $192
UCLA Alumni
UCLA Alumni have access to JWC, Pools, Drake Stadium, SCRC, and Tennis Courts. UCLA Extension students and graduates of other UCs are not eligible for the Alumni rate.
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Membership options include:
- Monthly AutoPay: $84/month
- 30-day membership: $99
- One-quarter membership: $297
Community Members
Community members have access to JWC, Pools, Drake Stadium, SCRC, and Tennis Courts.
Membership options include:
- Monthly AutoPay: $109/month
- 30-day membership: $130
- One-quarter membership: $390
Family Memberships
Family memberships are available for two adults and up to four minors (0-17 years old, SCRC access only). Membership is required for all ages, including infants. Minors do not have access to JWC, KREC, or BFIT but have access to Sunset Canyon Rec Center (Leisure Swim at SCRC Family Pool, SCRC Mapes Volleyball Court and SCRC Lawn), Tennis Courts, Drake Stadium, Hitch Basketball Courts, and IM Field, always accompanied by an adult (18+). Primary Member and Household Adults (18+) have access to the John Wooden Center, Sunset Canyon Rec Center, Hitch Basketball Courts, Swimming Pools, Drake Stadium, Kinross Rec Center (KREC)* and Tennis Courts, IM Field.
Household Adult Memberships
Household adults can purchase a membership at the same rate and get access to the same facilities as the primary Rec member. Proof of shared residential address is required.
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Purchasing a Rec Membership
To purchase a Rec membership, follow these general steps:
- Log in to your Rec account via SSO (Single Sign-On).
- Select the desired membership type.
- Add the membership to your cart.
- Accept the waivers.
- Proceed to checkout and complete the transaction.
Group Exercise (GroupX)
UCLA Recreation offers a variety of Group Exercise classes, including Yoga, Dance Cardio & Conditioning, Mat Pilates, Zumba, HIIT, and Core de Force. The GroupX Pass allows unlimited access to these classes for $45 per quarter.
Winter 2026 GroupX Fitness & Yoga Pass
The Winter 2026 GroupX Fitness & Yoga Pass features in-person and virtual drop-in fitness classes offered multiple times a day. The pass costs $45 per quarter and allows access to classes like Mat Pilates, Spin, Power Yoga Flow, Yoga Sculpt, Destress Yoga, Sound bath for Relaxation, Step Aerobics, and Dance Cardio Party.
To purchase a GroupX Pass:
- Purchase a GroupX In-Person Fitness & Yoga Pass under Recreation Memberships. This pass includes virtual classes.
- Make reservations every week for each class you'd like to attend. Classes appear for sign-ups 24 hours before the occurrence under "GroupX Reservations".
UCLA staff and faculty can register for the Virtual GroupX for FREE as part of the FITZONE membership. A virtual-only pass is available for $30 (no Rec membership required).
BStrong
Bruin Strong (BStrong) is a goal-oriented, progressive strength & conditioning system designed by UCLA's fitness professionals. Classes include compound resistance training with barbells, racks, kettlebells, and dumbbells, as well as power training, plyometrics, and conditioning/cardio.
Winter 2026 BStrong Schedule
BStrong classes include Strength and Conditioning & Core, with the emphasis on different muscle groups on different days (e.g., full body & squatting on Mondays, upper body pulling on Tuesdays).
To sign up for BStrong:
- Sign up for a BStrong Pass.
- Register for classes each week on the Sunday before to ensure your space.
Intramural Sports
Intramural (IM) Sports are recreational sports played within the university, involving games between UCLA students. Various sports are offered each quarter, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, cornhole, and spikeball. IM Sports do not require tryouts and allow for more flexibility.
Club Sports
Club Sports are more competitive teams that often host formal tryouts. These teams require more commitment and often have required practice times. Club Sports teams compete against other universities and colleges and may travel for games/matches/competitions.
Instructional Classes
UCLA Recreation offers instructional classes in various sports, arts, and musical instruments. Classes may include tennis, swimming, gymnastics, guitar, piano, drawing, painting, and photography.
Teaching Kitchen
The UCLA Rec Teaching Kitchen provides students with the resources and tools to fuel their bodies with nutritious food. Workshops include Culinary Bootcamp, Bread for Beginners, and Microwave Gourmet.
Facility Policies and Procedures
Several policies and procedures are in place to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all users.
Access and Age Restrictions
- Facility eligibility is required.
- All members must have a valid photo on their profile.
- Must be at least 18 years of age to participate in open recreation.
- Must be at least 16 years of age to use the cardio and strength equipment, unless otherwise determined by an instructor.
General Policies
- Bicycles and electric scooters are not permitted indoors.
- Beverages must be in a spill-proof, unbreakable, re-sealable container.
- No spitting.
- No photography or video recording without approval.
Participant Policies
- A top, bottom, and shoes are required.
- Closed-toe/closed-heel athletic shoes are required.
- Clothing with buttons, zippers, and studs is prohibited on upholstered equipment.
- Clothing or towel must provide a barrier between skin and upholstery.
- Maintain personal hygiene.
- All audio must be confined to a personal listening device.
- Be respectful of all equipment, patrons, and staff.
Equipment Policies
- Dumbbells, plates, and bars should not be dropped from any height.
- Collars must be used on all bars when weight is added.
- Rerack equipment to designated storage locations after each use.
- Spotters are recommended for free weight exercises.
Cardio Zone Policies
- 30-minute time limit on cardio equipment when others are waiting.
- Backpacks and bags are not allowed on the floor, except in Cardio Zones.
- Personal belongings should be secured in a locker.
John Wooden Center (JWC)
The John Wooden Center (JWC) is a central recreation facility available to registered UCLA students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and community members. The JWC offers a variety of amenities and spaces. Following a thorough evaluation and planning process, the building will undergo renovation to address seismic deficiencies and make improvements to the existing layout and configuration of space. These renovations are projected to be completed early in 2027.
JWC Amenities and Spaces
- Free Weight Zone: Variety of benches, dumbbells, iron plates, jungle gym, preloaded barbells, and plate-loaded machines.
- Advanced Circuit Zone: Plate-loaded machines, pin-loaded machines, and body weight stations.
- Novice Circuit Zone: Pin-loaded machines, cardio rowing machines, and recumbent and upright bikes.
- Cardio Zone: Treadmills, ellipticals, upright & recumbent bikes, stepmills, rowers, and Arc Trainers.
- Functional Training Zone: Squat Racks, Olympic platforms, Booty Builder, Cable Machines, Iron & Bumper plates.
- Courtyard: Outdoor space available for reservations.
- Pardee Gym: Multipurpose gymnasium for strength classes, open recreation, and body weight exercises.
- Fitness Studios: Dynasty Room, Gold Room, Pyramid Room, Pilates Studio, and Spin Studio.
- Collins Court: Indoor basketball gymnasium with 3 full-sized basketball courts.
- Locker Rooms & Saunas: Men and Women Locker Rooms equipped with showers, day-use lockers, quarterly locker rentals, and saunas.
- Meeting Rooms: Plaza View Leadership Conference Room, Main Conference Room, and Yates Conference Room.
- BruinHub: Space for commuting students and those experiencing housing insecurity.
- Bike Shop: Fee-for-service bike repairs, bikes for sale or rent, do-it-yourself workshop space, and repair/maintenance classes.
- Rock Wall: Bouldering area.
- Rental Center: Outdoor equipment available for rent.
- Esports Training Center: 17-PC training facility for UCLA Esports athletes and registered clubs.
UC Reciprocity
UC Reciprocity allows UC students, faculty, and staff with an active Campus Recreation membership to utilize recreation facilities across all UC campuses for free for up to 7 days.
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