Employee Wellness Recreation Memberships

Membership Eligibility

Membership is open to staff, faculty, retirees, and their spouses/partners. 

Membership Perks

Check Out Everything Your Membership Gives You Access To

Types Of Wellness Recreation Memberships You Can Purchase

• Wellness 1-Year Recreation Membership - Cost is $180 (pro-rated to fiscal year). This membership allows you access to Wellness group exercise classes and CFC group fitness classes, fitness centers, pools and more. Membership begins on date of purchase and runs through the end of the fiscal year.
• Wellness 4-Month Recreation Membership - Cost is $80. This membership allows you access to the same things as the 1-Year Wellness Recreation Membership. Membership begins on the date of purchase and is valid for 4 months from purchase date.
• Wellness CPHL/Aetna Recreation Membership - Cost is no charge to you (membership fee is re-imbursed up front through your Aetna CPHL health insurance plan). This membership allows you access to Wellness group exercise classes and CFC group fitness classes, fitness centers, pools and more. Membership begins on date of purchase and continues throughout insurance participation. (eligibility: this option is only available to the Cornell benefits eligible employee who has Aetna CPHL health insurance; not available to spouse, partner or dependent). Please note: if you are applying this optional CPHL Aetna fitness membership benefit towards a Wellness Recreation Membership, you cannot additionally apply the benefit at the Ithaca YMCA or Island Health & Fitness. View CPHL Wellness Recreation Membership Fact Sheet for details.
• Wellness Payroll Deduction (bi-weekly) Recreation Membership - Cost is $180 per fiscal year, and deductions will be spread out throughout the fiscal year. This membership allows you access to Wellness group exercise classes and CFC group fitness classes, fitness centers, pools and more. By purchasing this membership, you voluntarily request that Cornell deduct the membership fee from your wages throughout your continued membership. Payroll deduction payments will be taken out 26 times throughout the fiscal year. Membership begins on date of purchase and runs until you notify Cornell Wellness that you would like to end membership. (eligibility: this option is only available to the Cornell benefits eligible employee; not available to spouse, partner or dependent)
• Wellness Payroll Deduction (semi-monthly) Recreation Membership - Cost is $180 per fiscal year, and deductions will be spread out throughout the fiscal year. This membership allows you access to Wellness group exercise classes and CFC group fitness classes, fitness centers, pools and more. By purchasing this membership, you voluntarily request that Cornell deduct the membership fee from your wages throughout your continued membership. Payroll deduction payments will be taken out 24 times throughout the fiscal year. Membership begins on date of purchase and runs until you notify Cornell Wellness that you would like to end membership. (eligibility: this option is only available to the Cornell benefits eligible employee; not available to spouse, partner or dependent)
• Wellness Emeritus/Retired RTE Recreation Membership - This membership allows you access to Wellness group exercise classes and CFC group fitness classes, fitness centers, pools and more. Membership begins on date of purchase and runs through the end of the fiscal year. (eligibility: this option is only available to Emeritus and Retired RTE folks). 
• Wellness Trustee Recreation Membership - This membership allows you access to Wellness group exercise classes and CFC group fitness classes, fitness centers, pools and more. Membership begins on date of purchase and runs through the end of the fiscal year. (eligibility: this option is only available to Trustees). 
• Wellness Athletic Comp Recreation Membership - This membership allows you access to Wellness group exercise classes and CFC group fitness classes, fitness centers, pools and more. Membership begins on date of purchase and runs through the end of the fiscal year. (eligibility: this option is only available to full-time benefits eligible Athletics employees). 
• Summer Wellness Recreation Membership - Cost is $60. This membership allows you access to the same things as the 1-Year Wellness Recreation Membership. Membership runs from June 1-August 31.
• Retiree Summer Wellness Recreation Membership - Cost is $40. This membership allows you access to the same things as the 1-Year Wellness Recreation Membership. Membership runs from June 1-August 31. Must be a Cornell retiree to access this offer. This special pricing is only available for summer 2026.

Ways To Purchase A Wellness Recreation Membership

• If you are a Cornell employee with a NetID, use the New Cornell Recreation Services Portal quick links below to obtain a membership:
  • 1-Year Wellness Recreation Membership
  • 4-Month Wellness Recreation Membership
  • Wellness CPHL/Aetna Recreation Membership
  • Wellness PD (bi-weekly) Recreation Membership
  • Wellness PD (semi-monthly) Recreation Membership
  • Wellness Emeritus/Ret. RTE Recreation Membership
  • Wellness Trustee Recreation Membership
  • Wellness Athletic Comp Recreation Membership
  • Wellness Summer Recreation Membership (will be available for purchase summer 2027)
  • Wellness Retiree Summer Recreation Membership (will be available for purchase summer 2027)
• For folks without a Cornell NetID, during the week of October 21-October 27, while our administrative assistant is away from work, please email wellness@cornell.edu for more information on obtaining a membership. If you are a retiree, a spouse, or a partner you MUST have an official Cornell University ID card PRIOR to obtaining a membership. Cornell ID cards may be purchased through the HR Services and Transitions Center. Call/email the HR Services and Transitions Center directly for instructions on obtaining an ID card. 
• (please note: this paper copy option is paused during the week of October 21-27 while our administrative assistant is away). Paper copies of the Wellness Recreation Membership Application form are still available for filling out in the administrative office, room 305 Helen Newman Hall during office hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm, 3:00pm - 5:00pm; Thursday 9:00am - 1:30pm. Remitting payment through check or credit card can be done in the administrative office as well.
• Need help with the membership cost? You'll find a scholarship application form in the payment section of the Wellness Recreation Membership Application form. 

If you would like an individual meeting with a Cornell Wellness staff member to gain more information about the program before joining, please email wellness@cornell.edu.

Membership Policies and FAQ's

View the Wellness Recreation Membership policies and FAQ's including information about automatic renewal.