The Rice Recreation Fitness and Wellness Program aims to help the campus community along the path to a vibrant, healthy, and balanced lifestyle. We want to create integrated programs for all walks of life and provide resources to foster a culture of health and wellness. We invite you to explore our offerings by clicking the links below to learn more. If you have questions about a particular offering, please get in touch with us at healthy@rice.edu!
Group Exercise Classes
Our group exercise program offers a variety of fitness and mind/body classes to help you move in all the ways you desire throughout the week! Our current class schedule offers cardio, strength-based, and yoga classes to help you maintain or improve your fitness, meet friends, and have a good time! The best part is that classes are FREE for Rec Center members!
To evaluate your instructor, use this link.
Private Training
The Private Training program strives to help you reach your goals and get results, all while improving your quality of life! Our trainers will create safe and effective programs to empower you with the knowledge and skills you need to begin or continue towards improvement. All private training sessions and packages must be purchased online and are open to members and non-members of the facility.
To evaluate your private trainer, use this link.
DEXA
We are excited to bring you the gold standard in body composition analysis! Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, aka DEXA Body Composition Scanning is now available at the Rice Recreation Center. A DEXA scan is a non-invasive way to gain valuable insight and metrics of your body. It can help create a window into the makeup of your body that can guide you in determining the best fitness and nutrition strategies based on what YOUR body needs most for overall health.
Stretching, Mobility and Recovery Services
Post-exercise recovery is a vital component of the overall exercise training paradigm, and essential for high-level performance and continued improvement. Taking a single rest day after a hard workout isn’t the only—or even best -- way to recover. Our fitness experts will teach you valuable techniques to support your recovery efforts and are there to provide hands-on assistance and support.
Pilates Reformer Private Sessions
If you're interested in fine-tuning athletic skills, have musculoskeletal pains that come along with staying active or working out, or are not getting the desired physique through traditional workouts, private training in Pilates can effectively help address these issues to meet goals. All sessions are open to members and non-members of the facility.
To evaluate your instructor, use this link.
Specialty Classes
We offer a variety of unique classes which run between four and six weeks. These classes are by registration only due to the progressive structure of the class. Unless noted otherwise, all programs listed occur at the Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center and are open to members and non-members.
To evaluate your instructor, use this link.
Mindfulness Classes and Workshops
Mindfulness involves paying attention to what is occurring in our present moment, with an attitude of openness and non-judgmental acceptance. It engages all of our senses as we open to our entire experience, becoming aware of our body, emotions, thoughts, and the external environment. It is a natural and intuitive state of presence in which we can feel more connected, authentic, and alive.
Mindfulness is a state of being accessible to everyone and a skill that can be developed. The Recreation Center offers several classes and workshops dedicated to mindfulness practice throughout the year. If you want to learn the fundamentals, build a community of support and connection, or deepen your current practice, please check us out!
Nutrition
Do you find yourself wondering how to transform your diet so that you can become a healthier you? If you are like most people, you likely have all kinds of questions about your nutritional health. Whether you are trying to adopt more healthful eating habits, manage a medical condition, improve athletic performance, or achieve your specific health goals, our registered dietitian can assist you!
Galleri Multi-Cancer Early Detection
Galleri testing is a multi-cancer early detection test that screens for a signal shared by 50+ cancers, including fast-spreading and aggressive cancers that don't show symptoms in early stages. Please email Dr. Anatolia Vick-Kregel at av82@rice.edu to learn more about Galleri testing.
Cardio-Check at the Rec with Rice EMS
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, REMS will provide free cardio check-ups to patrons. Cardio-Check at the Rec will continue every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 4-6 p.m. (pending scheduling). Come get your blood pressure taken by trained individuals with medical-grade equipment! In addition, patrons can check out blood pressure monitors at the Operations desk anytime for free. You must present a valid Rice ID for check-out. For questions, please email healthy@rice.edu.