Our policies are informed by:

• Recreation and facility industry standards

• Warranty and liability restrictions of equipment use

• University policy

• Emergency health and safety standards

• Restrictions and limitations of the facility space 

Additionally, our staff at any time may request that you cease any and all behavior that is perceived to be a threat to our mission in providing safe and inclusive recreational opportunities to the global Cornell community. 

Our staff may: 

• request that you modify your current activity, exercise, and use of the facility

• request to see your Cornell ID card, or photo ID. 

Failure to comply with the directions of our staff and policies can result in: 

• requiring that you leave the facility for the remainder of the day

• a required meeting with Cornell Recreation Services Management staff prior to regaining access privileges 

• the temporary, or permanent, suspension of your membership without refund

• All participants must purchase a Cornell Fitness Center membership unless the Fitness Center is hosting a free access period

• Unlike other institutes which include recreational fees within tuition, all memberships to the Fitness Centers at Cornell are opt-in based, which requires some type of action of enrollment or purchase by the participant regardless of third party sponsorship or reimbursement agreement

• A valid and current registration status with Cornell University is necessary for membership excluding a Day Pass. Day Passes must be purchased on the behalf of a guest by a valid and registered Cornell University affiliate 

• All Cornell Fitness Centers are monitored at all times of operation by a Cornell Recreation Services employee. An unsecured / unattended location is not an indication of permission to use that location without a Cornell Recreation Services employee present. Such an action can be treated as criminal trespassing. 

• You must check-in at the front desk of the Fitness Center and verify your identity and membership

• the most reliable method for verifying your membership is to present your Cornell ID Card or another form of Photo Identification

•  if your membership and identification cannot be verified, you will be denied access

• Attempting to falsify your identification by using another participant’s Cornell ID card or information is a serious offense which we are required to report to the University and confiscate the Cornell ID card

• Participants cannot take photos or videos of any format with any device within the Fitness Centers. This includes taking photos or videos of participants while standing outside of the Fitness Centers.

• Such an action violates the privacy of others and is in direct opposition to our mission of creating a safe and inclusive environment. 

• All attire must be athletically appropriate. You will be asked to change or leave if your attire is inappropriate. 

• Tops and shirts must be worn at all times. You must cover your chest and midriff. Tank-tops, crop-tops, and sports bras are acceptable.

• Bottoms, pants, and shorts cannot be jean/denim material or have rivets, buckles, zippers

• Clean and dry footwear must be worn at all times. Footwear must cover the entire foot and fasten securely. Crocs, flip-flops, sandals, dress shoes, boat shoes, and boots are all prohibited  

• Cornell Fitness Centers are not responsible for your lost or stolen property. 

• Any type of portable transportation cannot be stored inside or within the hallways in front of any Fitness Center. This includes but is not limited to; skateboards, roller blades, bikes, scooters, electric scooters, 

• Bags must be stored and not brought onto the fitness floor. Free, day-use lockers are available at the Helen Newman, Toni Morrison, Teagle, and Noyes locker rooms. You must provide your own lock and remove it when you leave.

• Participants cannot bring any personal fitness equipment, implement, or device that modifies the original, or intended, use of our equipment or spaces

• Allowed personal equipment examples are wearable assistive and protective equipment such as; sleeves, gloves, lifting belts, lifting straps, compression wear, and chalk

• Prohibited personal equipment examples are - barbells, smelling salts, weighted equipment (vests/ankle weights), restrictive breathing devices, jump ropes, parallette bars, objects or implements that attach to equipment

• Food and gum are not allowed inside of the Fitness Center.

• Beverages must be contained in re-sealable plastic or metal containers. No glass containers allowed.

• Do not use our water fountains to mix or dump out powdered beverages

• Free weight equipment, cable machines, and plate loaded machines are to never be dropped or slammed. All equipment is to be used in a slow and controlled manner to reduce risk of injury and damage to University property.

• Bar collars/clips are required when lifting loaded barbells/curl/trap bars at all times. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are never in a situation that requires you to “dump” a barbell during a squat or bench press.

• Safety arms/catches/spotter bars should always be used when lifting within the Squat/Power Racks  

• Misuse of equipment can result in personal injury and/or damage to the equipment. You must follow directions and instructions at all times. Ask for assistance from the fitness staff if you are unfamiliar with equipment. Fitness staff will require you to alter your exercise if any use is deemed inappropriate or unsafe. Abuse of equipment may result in your being asked to leave the facility or your membership being revoked.

• Late entry to Group Fitness classes is only permitted within the first 20 minutes of the class start time.  We encourage participants to arrive on-time or early to classes; to allow enough time for setting up necessary equipment and for proper warm-up.  Participation from the start to finish of a class is encouraged whenever possible.

• Exceptions:

• Late entry to CU Row class is only permitted within the first 10 minutes of the class start time

• Late entry to Power H.I.I.T. classes is only permitted within the first 10 minutes of the class start time

• Late entry to Restorative Yoga is only permitted within the first 10 minutes of the class start time

• Late entry to Spinning® classes is not permitted

• Late entry to T'ai Chi is permitted within the first 30 minutes of the class start time

• Wristbands are required for entry to any fitness class and must be worn for the duration of the class unless otherwise noted.

• All participants must purchase a Cornell Fitness Center membership unless the Fitness Center is hosting a free access period

• Unlike other institutes which include recreational fees within tuition, all memberships to the Fitness Centers at Cornell are opt-in based, which requires some type of action of enrollment or purchase by the participant regardless of third party sponsorship or reimbursement agreement

• A valid and current registration status with Cornell University is necessary for membership excluding a Day Pass. Day Passes must be purchased on the behalf of a guest by a valid and registered Cornell University affiliate 

• In order to purchase Personal Trainer Services one must have a current CFC membership. A Fitness Intake must be purchased and completed before other services will be sold.
• Following the Fitness Intake meeting, you may purchase services unless medical clearance is first deemed necessary.
• Once you are an established client, additional Personal Training sessions can be purchased with your trainer, if you plan to bursar the sessions (bursar billing is not available during the summer).
• Personal Training services are for matriculated student members and their spouses/partners only. 
• All Personal Training Packages and sessions must be paid in full (Bursar or Credit Card) prior to training. Upon completion of a package, if you would like to continue training you must purchase a new package before resuming training. Appointments will not be scheduled without payment.
• We reserve the right to refuse services to clients who may not be able to exercise safely with the level of supervision provided by this program.
• Sessions and packages are non-refundable, non-transferable and expire at the end of the semester in which they were purchased.  No refunds.
• Services may only be used while CFC membership status is current and valid.  All sessions automatically expire without a refund when the membership terminates for any reason.
• Summer membership period applies as a semester

• Personal Training sessions are 55 minutes long.
• Please be on time for appointments and classes. Personal Training sessions that start late due to a client's late arrival will still end one-hour from the original planned start time.
• Late Policy – A cell phone is the official time keeping unit.  The trainer will wait 10 minutes for clients.   After 10 minutes, it will be considered a no-show and that session is forfeited.
• Cancellations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled training session. If less than 24 hours' notice is given, the session is forfeited.
• If you need to cancel or reschedule, please email or text your personal trainer.

• Patrons of CFC must be 18 years of age or older.  If you are a registered Cornell Student and have a child that is 18 years of age or older, you may purchase a guest pass for that individual.

• Inquire with the CFC Main office.  607-254-2824 or e-mail fitness@cornell.edu

• Yes, detailed descriptions are available about options.

• Under 'Recreation Locations' accessibility features.

• Yes, view our memberships.

• Personal Training is available during the fall and spring semesters to Cornell Fitness Center Student Members at affordable rates.

• All of the group fitness classes are drop-in, on a first come, first served basis.  Wristbands are required and available 30 minutes prior to each class until the class is full or the late entry window expires.

• For classes that require appropriate shoes, those shoes are required.

• If the class isn't full you may enter most classes late.  Please see the late entry policy.

• We provide all the needed equipment for classes.  We encourage the use of a personal mat when possible.  No outside equipment is permitted with the exception of mats, yoga blankets, yoga blocks and yoga straps.

• Towels are available for Spinning classes only.  Participants may check out a towel from a fitness center prior to taking a class.  Note that towel must be returned to the same fitness center at the conclusion of class.

• Yes, participating in back to back classes in the same building is permitted.  A new wristband must be obtained for each class.

• No, standard athletic footwear is appropriate for Spinning Classes.  The pedals are equipped with SPD clips for those who wish to clip in.

• No, once class is full, no additional participants may be admitted.  No exceptions.

• There are various factors that influence class capacity.  This includes but is not limited to: amount of available equipment, room size, and instructor preference. 

• Please don’t come to class if you are not feeling well, have open sores or signs of monkeypox.  Hand washing is encouraged immediately after class.  You may wish to bring your own mat if you have the ability to do so.  Using a workout towel can provide an extra barrier between the mat and face. 

• There are many reasons why people hire a personal trainer.  Trainers are excellent for providing motivation, teaching safe workout techniques, giving individualized instruction, suggesting new effective workouts, to bolster confidence, to provide sport-specific training, assist with injury rehabilitation, and to teach new skills. You may want a trainer to motivate and push you to the point where you begin to see lasting results and to give you ongoing encouragement and support so you keep it up!

• All of the CFC trainers have at least one nationally recognized and independently accredited Personal Trainer certification, such as from ACSM, ACE, NASM, NSCA, ISSA. All of these certifying bodies require continuing education in order maintain certifications. In addition, all of our trainers complete an in-house training program that is based on current guidelines within the industry and on current research.

• The purpose of this first meeting is to assess what fitness information is most needed and desired, and to provide information on how to get started or continue making progress towards desirable fitness.  The visit includes review of your health history, as well as assessing your current fitness level, needs and goals.

• A medical release consists of a note from a healthcare provider stating any necessary exercise restrictions and/or provisions, or that states that the client has been cleared to exercise with no restrictions. Clients with a known medical condition (i.e., cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, orthopedic, etc.) will be required to obtain medical clearance from a healthcare provider before they can workout with a trainer. Clients with symptoms suggestive of a clinical condition, or with multiple risk factors, may be required to get clearance as well.

• Semi-private and Small Group Training can sometimes be arranged. Contact Emily Ellison for rates.

• Our personal training program does allow for select outdoor training experiences on Cornell University's campus. 

• Yes, if the trainer is available. You would request a specific trainer at the time of sign up, but we cannot guarantee that their availability will match yours.

• Yes, Personal trainers frequently offer evening or weekend appointments.

• Each trainer works with each client based on the current fitness level of the individual. The advice given is individually tailored to help the client make steady progress towards achieving a higher level of fitness and well-being. Our goal is to offer you valuable and empowering fitness advice, teach you how to safely and effectively choose and use equipment, and to strategize with you on how to build a better fitness routine for you.