University Recreation
WMU Student stretching in the Student Recreation Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? You're in the right place.

Have questions? You're in the right place.

We've gathered answers to our most frequently asked questions to help you find what you need quickly. Start with our top FAQs below, then explore the area-specific sections for more detailed information about each space within University Recreation.

How do I gain access to Western Michigan University's Student Recreation Center?
Access to the SRC is included in tuition for all currently enrolled undergraduate students. SRC access for graduate students is determined by enrollment fees paid for the semester/session. If you were not charged the enrollment fee (graduate students), then you can activate your SRC membership for $90 for the semester. That process can be completed by coming to our main office Monday through Friday from  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions please call (269) 387-1096. 

Can I still get into the facility without my Bronco card?
Yes. If you forget or lose your Bronco Card, you may receive temporary access by completing a temporary access form at the SRC Service Desk. This option is available up to five times per semester.

If your Bronco Card has been lost, you will need to purchase a replacement through Parking Services. Replacement cards are available for a one-time fee of $35.

I have multiple Bronco Cards, will any of them work?
No. Only the most recent issue of your Bronco Card will work at the rec center. You must present your valid, current issue Bronco Card at the turnstiles to access the facility.

Can I bring a friend with me to work out?
Anyone who has access to the rec center can sponsor up to two guests to come in the building with them. The guests must present a valid photo id and pay the $10 guest pass fee. You must remain in the building with your guest. When you leave the building, your guest must leave with you. The guest pass fee is for one access to the facility only, not multiple times in a day.

What kind of equipment can I rent?
The SRC offers a variety of equipment available for rent, including basketballs, volleyballs, futsal balls, resistance bands, foam rollers, and more. Most equipment is available to check out at no cost, though some high-demand items have a small rental fee to help cover wear and tear. For example, pickleball paddles are available for $0.50 per paddle.

To rent equipment, visit the SRC Service Desk with your Bronco Card, which is required to check out all rental items. Stop by the desk for a complete list of available equipment and current rental fees.

FAQS by section

When are the saunas open?
The saunas are open when the pool is open. Most recent pool hours can be found on our home page under the 'hours' tab.

What should I wear in the pool & sauna? 
Swimsuits must be worn in the pool and sauna. See our full Swim Attire Policy for what's allowed and not allowed.

What's not allowed as swim and sauna attire? 
The following are not allowed in the pool or sauna:

  • Athletic shorts, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, yoga, running or jogging shorts
  • Athletic shirts, including jerseys, Under Armour and other tight fitting athletic shirts
  • Denim clothing, including shorts, jeans, pedal shorts, capris, cut offs and jackets
  • Dresses and cover ups, including sun dresses, summer dresses, sarongs, skirts and other clothing not manufactured as a swim dress
  • Cotton shirts, including t-shirts, graphic tees, polo shirts, button ups, tie-dye shirts, tank tops, camisoles and undershirts
  • Under garments, including boxers, briefs, bras, sports bras and compression shorts not designed for swimming

Should I use a towel in the sauna? 
Yes. Use a towel or mat to prevent moisture from absorbing into the wood.

Are lifeguards on duty at the pool?
Yes, whenever the pool is open we have certified lifeguards on duty ready to assist you. 

Still have aquatics questions? Contact Luke Bodeis

Do I have to be experienced to use the wall?
No, the climbing wall is open to all during free climb hours.

Does it cost anything to climb?
The climbing wall is free through a partnership with the Western Student Association (WSA).
 
Do I have to bring my own shoes and harness?
All climbing shoes and harnesses are provided by the SRC and a partnership with WSA.
 
What does the tape mean next to the holds?
The tape next to holds designates a specific route at a specific difficulty level that has been tested and designed by our staff.
 
Still have questions about the climbing wall? Contact Christopher Velaoras

What Club Sports do you offer?
Our Club Sports offerings are determined before the start of each school year and may change based on student interest, participation, and availability. The Student Recreation Center typically offers around 30 Club Sports each year.

Some of the Club Sports you may find at the SRC include:

How Do I sign up?
To join a Club Sport, start by contacting the club directly through our club sport interest form to learn more about the team and how to get involved. You’ll then complete the club’s online registration process and any required forms before participating.

Each Club Sport may have its own registration requirements, so be sure to connect with the club you’re interested in for the most up-to-date information.

Is there a limit to how many club sports I can join?
Although there is technically no limit, each club has practice requirements and dues that may limit your ability to participate on other club teams.
 
How much do clubs cost?
Each club is operated independently and sets dues according to the projected expenses of the club. In general, clubs charge dues in the range of $100 to $3,000+ to participate.
 
Do I need previous experience to join a club?
Some clubs hold tryouts and therefore do expect a certain level of performance. Other clubs that are more niche are willing to accept new members with little or no experience and teach them about the sport. It is recommended you reach out to the club you are interested in to learn more about their membership standards.
 
What does the Sports Club Council Do?
The Sports Club Council (SCC) is led by a student Executive Board that represents the interests of Club Sports and helps shape the overall student experience. The council also helps clubs stay organized by reviewing club rosters, waivers, budgets, and other requirements.

Club members and leaders are expected to attend SCC meetings, maintain accurate rosters and waivers, and submit their budgets on time and in the required format. Visit the SCC Home Page for information about the council, Executive Board, expectations, and resources for Club Sports.

Still have questions about Club Sports? Contact Kyle Belback

How do I purchase my fitness pass?
Fitness passes can be purchased online or in person at the SRC Service Desk.

Current fitness pass options include:

  • Unlimited Fitness Pass: $99
  • Group Exercise Pass: $45
  • 30-Day F45 Pass: $45
  • F45 Drop-In: $5 per class
    *Western Wellness pass prices are different and can be found on the Western Wellness Fitness pass form. 

If you have questions about fitness pass options, pricing, or eligibility, visit the SRC Service Desk for assistance.

How to sign up for a fitness class??
Fitness classes can be registered for through the SRC app or in person at the SRC Service Desk. To sign up, you must first have an active membership account.

Once you have an active membership, use the SRC app to view available fitness classes and register, or visit the Service Desk for assistance with registration 15 minutes prior to the start of class.

Still have questions about fitness? Contact Beth Northuis

What sports do you offer?
You can find the sports offered per session on our IM Leagues homepage.

How do I register for an Intramural Sport?
To register, you must first create a FREE user account on our IM Leagues website. From there, you can cycle through the sports that are offered and see registration dates and deadlines. At that point, you could select an active sport, pick a league (Men, Women, Res Hall, CoRec, etc.), and a division (Monday 7:30, Thursday 8:30, etc.) that works best for your team. You can click on "create team" and add your teammates to your roster. If you don't want to register online, you can come to the SRC office and they will assist you with the process.

How many leagues can I participate in?
You can play in multiple divisions. The only restriction is that you cannot participate for two teams in the same time slot. For example, you cannot play on Team Blue and Team Red on Wednesday night. You are allowed to play for Team Blue on Wednesdays and Team Green on Sundays and as many other teams as you like as long as you avoid the same day.

How do I sign up as a free agent?
As a free agent, you must first create a FREE user account on our IM Leagues website. From there, you can select a sport and division (Men, Women, Res Hall, etc) you're interested in playing. There is a link that says, "Join as free agent" that you must click. After that you will be asked which divisions you can play in (Sun 3:30, Wed 7:30, etc) and you can select as many as you like and leave a personal message with your name (i.e. I played competitive basketball through high school and am looking to join a team.). Captains will be notified of available free agents.

If a captain would like to add you to his/her team, you will receive a message from that captain. As a free agent, if you notice there are several other free agents available, you could contact all of them and create your own team.

How and where can I pay for IM Sports?
All payments must be done before your game at the SRC service desk on the 2nd floor, or online through IMLeagues. Please note that no payments will be accepted at the fields/courts.

Still have questions about Intramural Sports? Contact Christopher Velaoras

When is the best time to apply for a job at the SRC?
We hire student employees during three primary recruitment periods throughout the year. While some positions may become available outside of these windows, most opportunities follow the timeline below:

Fall Positions

  • Apply: May–July
  • Interviews: July–August

Spring Positions

  • Apply: October–November
  • Interviews: November–December

Summer Positions

  • Apply: February–March
  • Interviews: March–April

We primarily consider applications submitted by the hiring deadline listed on our home employment page. Applying by the posted deadline ensures your application receives consideration during that hiring period.

What positions are available?
The SRC offers a variety of student employment opportunities across University Recreation. Positions may include fitness instructors, personal trainers, lifeguards, facility attendants, intramural sports officials, customer service staff, and more.

Available positions vary throughout the year based on department needs. For the most up-to-date list of open positions, visit our job descriptions page.

Still have questions about job opportunities? Contact Emily Thorner

If I graduate can I still use the Student Recreation Center?
Yes! Western Michigan University graduates can continue using the Student Recreation Center by purchasing an alumni membership. For current alumni membership options, pricing, and eligibility requirements, visit the Memberships page or stop by the SRC Service Desk.

I'm a student and not enrolled in classes, do I still have access?
SRC membership access is based on your current enrollment status at Western Michigan University. If you are not currently enrolled in classes, you may still be eligible to purchase a membership if you have an affiliation with WMU. Visit our Memberships page to explore your options, or stop by the SRC Service Desk with questions about eligibility and available memberships.

Still have questions about memberships? Contact Hannah McQueen-Ziegler

How do I get started?
Take the first step toward your fitness goals by completing our Kick Start Your Fitness Journey interest form. Kickstart your fitness journey is for students, faculty and staff who need help getting started on their well-being journey or are interested in learning more about the Student Recreation Center. By connecting with our staff you can start building healthy habits, enhance your well-being, and thrive at WMU. Head to our personal training page to learn more.

What options do I have for Personal Training?
We offer four options to support different fitness goals, experience levels, and needs:

  • Cardio & Weight Room Orientation: A free, one-hour session for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to learn how to properly use cardio, resistance, and flexibility equipment.
  • Fitness Coaching: A free service for WMU students through the Navigator Network, offering one-on-one or group coaching to help set goals, build healthy habits, and stay accountable.
  • Fitness Assessments: A standalone service that provides baseline measurements of your current fitness level and health biometrics to help you track your progress over time.
  • Personal Training: A personalized training experience that begins with a welcome package that includes three, one-hour session, a fitness consultation, assessment, equipment orientation, and two workout sessions.

Ready to get started? Fill out our Kick Start Your Fitness Journey interest form to connect with our team and find the option that’s right for you.

Still have questions about personal training? Contact Maddy Mularski