All NIU Rec group fitness instructors are CPR/AED certified and many hold nationally recognized group fitness certifications. Our instructors have previous group fitness leadership experience prior to hiring, or have completed the Recreation in-house Instructor training program.
Membership and Fees
We offer many membership types to meet the needs of students, employees and others in the NIU community. You can choose the length and level of membership that's best for you, from year-round, all-inclusive access to a single semester at a particular facility.
Free Trial
Try us out for free! Get a one-day, all-inclusive first visit that includes access to all facilities available that day, including the Rec Center, pool, indoor tennis and the Outdoor Recreation Sports Complex.
Simply come to the Rec Center or call 815-753-0231 on the day you want to redeem your free trial. Community members can create a MyRec account to speed up the process (faculty/staff already have accounts—log in with your NIU credentials). After you activate your free trial, you'll be able to book a swim time, tennis court or group fitness class in MyRec.
You're not permitted to check out equipment. Your trial ends when the facilities close for the day.
Parking
In general, permits are required to park on campus. Community members can purchase a discounted Rec Center member parking permit or a daily/weekly visitor permit. Permits are not required after 5 p.m. or on weekends.
Alternatively, metered parking spaces are available at the Rec Center. The cost is 30 cents for 15 minutes or $1.20 per hour for up to four hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While we don't offer family memberships or discounts, all are eligible to purchase community memberships and guest passes. We do offer dependent memberships for any members who have dependents 16 years or younger.
No. Alumni memberships are available for graduates of NIU only.
- Online with a credit card
- In person at the Membership Services counter with cash, check or credit card
- Faculty/Staff Payroll deduction - come to the Membership Services counter for the payroll deduction form. After submitting, NIU Rec staff will process.
No. Faculty and staff taking classes on NIU campuses are not eligible for student privileges unless you opt to pay all student fees with the bursar.
To qualify for a refund, submit a request in writing to recreation@niu.edu. Refunds are permitted for the following reasons:
- Medical
- Military service
- Moving away from the region
Documentation verifying the reason must be provided. Membership refunds will be pro-rated. If the refund is approved, your payment will be reimbursed using the same method of payment (i.e., check, credit card or payroll deduction).
If you used payroll deduction, once NIU Rec has confirmed your refund, complete the Stop/Start Payroll Deduction form. Notify NIU Rec when you have completed and submitted the form.
As a current NIU student/faculty or staff member you already have a log-in (your current NIU username and password) in this system. On myrec.niu.edu go to the Sign In button on the top right of the page, then click the "Access for Current NIU Students/Faculty/Staff" red button on the page that pops up- this will allow you to enter your NIU username and password to give you access to all that is offered on the site. If you are having issues with your username and password please go to niu.edu/password.