Frequently Asked Questions

Fitness/Wellness

What's the difference between Group Exercise and Learn to Play?
Our Group Exercise program emphasizes traditional aerobics classes with a energetic feel. Our student instructors are extensively trained, coinciding with national standards. They are prepared to teach anything from your traditional hi/lo classes to step, kickboxing, body sculpting, aquatic exercise, etc. The fee for Group Exercise is $40 a semester--a fee that includes unlimited class participation. You may find anywhere from 10-50+ people in a class. Our Learn to Play program offers more of the instructional and mind/body approach to exercise. All of our Learn to Play instructors are certified and highly trained in their areas of specialty. Learn to Play may include yoga, pilates, group cycling, martial arts, and ballet-fit. Spaces for each class are limited to provide opportunity for one-on-one instruction and each class is scheduled to meet specific days and times of the week.

If I pay for a Rec Sports membership, does that mean I don't have to pay for additional programs like Group Exercise?
Fee for service programs are not included in the membership fee. Group Exercise, Instructional Programs (Learn to Play), Personal Training, and Fitness Assessment Services are all an extra fee. Fees are based on the services offered.  

I'm thinking about signing up for a personal trainer. Can I request a trainer that's the same gender as me? Our number one goal is to best accommodate your needs. Along with that is helping you feel comfortable with whatever you do. You may request a trainer based on gender, specialty, and/or experience. We do have limited trainers. However, we will do our best to help meet your needs.

What kind of training do your instructors and trainers have to go through?
Our facilitators and trainers go through extensive training before they begin. Each year we hold an 8 week course to train potential employees to become either a group exercise instructor, fitness consultant, or personal trainer. All training is focused on national standards from the American College of Sports Medicine and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. After the initial training, each potential employee is put through a series of evaluations to indicate their readiness and skill level. We do not hire them until they successfully pass evaluation standards.

I understand that accountability is a good way to help me reach my goals. What program would you recommend to help me stay focused?
Understanding what helps you stay focused is the first step to maintaining any exercise program. Look and see what type of individual you are. If you are the type of individual that likes to work out alone and you have basic fitness knowledge, you should have no problem working out in the general fitness center. If you are an individual who likes to move to music and you enjoy the company of others, group fitness classes may be your ticket! If you are the type of individual who likes one on one guidance and accountability, check out our personal training program. All in all, find out what makes you tick and have fun with it!

Intramural Sports

What do I have to do to play an intramural sport?
Students, faculty and staff are all eligible to play intramurals. Entry forms can be picked up at the Welcome Center or outside Room 107 at the Recreational Sports Center . All entry forms and payments are to be completed and submitted to the Welcome Center during the registration period. Space is limited, so come early to ensure a spot.

Why is there a charge for intramurals?
We are employing more supervisors and officials to assist teams and individuals. And, we are now offering intramural championship shirts to teams and individuals who have won various activities. Like all university areas, to continue to offer competitive intramural events, and better our programs, we must charge for intramurals. Purdue is the last of the Big Ten schools to charge IM participants.

I don't know where to go for our activity. How do I find this out?
Schedules are posted in the hallway, outside Room 107 at the Recreational Sports Center . They are also found on this web site under Programs/Intramural Sports.

If I don't have a team but want to play an intramural sport, can I just sign up somewhere?
We offer a Free Agent Sign Up for most team activities. The sign up sheet is posted outside Room 107 at the Recreational Sports Center . Individuals can sign up on this sheet and we will make up a team of those individuals. If there aren't enough people signed up to make a team, we take the list to the captain's meeting and try to find teams needing extra players.

How do I know what program I play in?
Primarily where you live will determine what program you participate in. If you are in a fraternity, sorority, or men's or women's coop, chances are you will play for your house. If you live in a residence hall, chances are you will play for the floor/unit of your residence hall. Those wanting to participate and who live off campus are eligible to play in the Open, Grad/Faculty and Staff or CoRec programs.

What is the difference between the Open and CoRec programs?
Anyone is eligible to play in either the Open or CoRec. The difference is that an Open team could be all men or all women or mixed. The CoRec requires an equal number of males to females to be on the court or field at all times. For instance, a team of four would consist of two males and two females. However, an odd-number team such as five would, of course, have more of one gender than the other. Also, CoRec official rules are a bit different to accommodate the equal numbers.

Can I play for more than one team?
No. If, for instance, you were to play basketball for a fraternity, you would not be eligible to play in the Open program. The only exception is the CoRec program-a participant can play for any other program and CoRec. For example, a participant affiliated with a fraternity could play for a fraternity and CoRec.

Club Sports

How do I join a club?
All clubs have call outs at the beginning of the fall semester. You need to attend the call out.

Do I have to have my own equipment to join a club?
Depends on the club and you. Most clubs have the equipment needed to participate, some activities you will need to have your own equipment. This would be a question answered at the call-out.

I want to start a club. How do I do that?
You start with the Dean of Students Office. There are procedures and paperwork that needs to be completed via the university regulations.

What's the difference between Club Sports and Intramural Sports?
Club sports are student organized and run. Most clubs belong to regional leagues or national conferences and play full seasons with National Championship Opportunities. Intramural sports are activities programmed by the division and are for Purdue Staff & Students. Seasons are short and there is no intern collegiate competition involved.

Boiler Challenge Program

When can we do the Boiler Challenge? Are there specific dates and times to choose from?
The Boiler Challenge is scheduled on a request basis. This means that you tell us when you want to plan your visit...any day of the week, and as long as another group does not have that time, we will do everything in our power to get you scheduled during a time that's best for you. Remember, this is an outdoor activity, so it must be during daylight hours, and weather could play a factor.

How far in advance do we need to schedule the Boiler Challenge?
Time slots fill in quickly, so it's best to get your request in as soon as you can. We ask that you put in your schedule request at least two weeks prior to your preferred date so that proper arrangements can be made.

What happens in inclement weather?
The Boiler Challenge can be done in some minor inclement weather, such as light rain. However, if bad weather does becomes a factor, we will work with your group to get an alternate date set up.

Is this available for students only or can anyone go on the course?
Anyone can use the course, there are different pay scales depending upon your group's classification. Purdue students are afforded the lowest rate.

Where is the course located?
The course is located in a lightly wooded area directly west of the airport recreational fields.

Do I have to sign up as part of a group?
Yes, the Boiler Challenge is a group activity. It is a great way to work on team building, communication, trust, and leadership with your organization, class, or staff.

I'm concerned that I should be in better shape to participate. What do you recommend?
The Boiler Challenge is for everyone--physical abilities need not be an issue. We pride ourselves on being all-inclusive. We can accommodate patrons with physical disabilities as long as we have prior notice.

Rec Sports Membership

I'm a full time student. Do I have to pay membership fees?
A full-time student, for the purposes of eligibility to the Recreational Sports Center , is any student at the West Lafayette campus with eight credits or more. If you have registered for 8 or more credits, have paid all your fees and have a valid PUID you may access the RSC. While most of our programs and services are free to members, some programs (Group Exercise, Learn to Play and Intramural leagues) and some services (locker rentals, towel service, facility reservations) require nominal fees for all users.

Is there any way for me to get a membership if I'm not connected to Purdue in any way?
Due to the limitations of our facilities and our mission to serve the students of Purdue, memberships are only available to individuals holding a valid PUID and alumni of the West Lafayette campus. All other individuals are eligible to pay a daily use fee when sponsored by a member in good standing.

I'd just like to use the facility for the day. Is that possible?
Yes! If you have a PUID you can pay the daily admission fee and have access to all facilities.

Do I need to rent a locker to get towel service?
In order to purchase towel service you must have locker service but anyone can purchase one time towel service at the equipment center.

If you have additional questions, call 494-3109 or email recsports@purdue.edu .