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.
Discounted Trial
Try us out for a discounted rate! First time to the Rec facilities? You qualify for a one-day, rec pass that includes access to all facilities available that day, including the Rec Center, all group fitness classes, indoor tennis and the Outdoor Recreation Sports Complex.
Simply come to the Rec Center or call 815-753-0232 on the day you want to redeem your trial. Community members can create a dserec account to speed up the process (faculty/staff already have accounts—login with your NIU credentials). After you activate your trial, you'll be able to book tennis court time or a group fitness class in dserec.
You're not permitted to check out equipment. Your trial ends when the facilities close for the day.
Exclusive Offer for Local Businesses and Residents
Received a postcard from us? Bring it to the Rec Center in person to redeem your free day pass! You must present the physical postcard at the front desk. It is valid for one free day pass. It must be redeemed within one month of the post date.
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. There are QR codes on signs posted throughout the parking lot for the AIMS mobile pay parking app. See the Parking website for costs and more details.
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 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.
If you are granted a refund for any reason not explicitly stated above—including but not limited to chargebacks—you acknowledge that, by accepting the refund, you forfeit eligibility for any future membership with NIU Recreation.
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.