Fitness

Campus Rec contributes to physical and emotional wellbeing by providing a flexible fitness program that is convenient for the Portland State community.

Fitness Programs

Group X

Drop-in group exercise (Group X) classes are included with Campus Rec membership at no additional charge, and provide a wide variety of activities led by certified and motivational instructors.

Campus Rec's Personal Training program brings clients closer to their health and wellbeing goals by offering members access to certified personal trainers at an affordable rate when compared to gyms around Portland.

Beginner Drop-In Hours

A structured session designed specifically for individuals new to weight training, focusing on increasing confidence in your ability to strength train through assisting with and ensuring proper form and technique across all major muscle groups. A certified Personal Trainer will lead you through each session.

Participant following along with instructor's Zumba

Certification Courses

Campus Rec offers a variety of non-credit or credit optional certification courses for the PSU community. Learn to teach safe and effective group exercise classes in our Group Fitness Instructor Training (GFIT) Course, and gain the skills needed to become a certified Personal Trainer with our Personal Training Prep Course.

Cohort Programs

Our Personal Training cohort programs assist underrepresented students with entering the personal training and group fitness fields. Cohort programs reduce barriers to participation by providing free entry into certification courses, mentorship and pathways to employment at Campus Rec, and career paths post graduation.

Fitness-On-The-Go

Fitness On-the-Go allows Group X instructors to travel to various spaces across the PSU campus and teach Group X classes for PSU student groups, departments, and teams. We'll bring Group X classes to a convenient location with familiar faces, so you can focus on team building, stress management, exercise, and fun!

A personal trainer faces a mirror and lifts a barbell over her shoulders.

Fitness Certification Courses

Campus Rec offers a variety of non-credit or credit optional instructional courses for its members that provide certification. For more information, contact Jenna Siegel, Fitness & Wellbeing Coordinator, at jesiegel@pdx.edu. All refunds must be completed in person at the Rec Center. For our complete refund policies visit our policy page here.

ACE Personal Training Prep Course

Class Dates: April 8 - June 5, 2025

Class Day & Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00 - 4:50pm

Class Fee:

Free for PSU students in the Personal Training (PT) Cohort Program
$599 for PSU students
$699 for Campus Rec Members (non students)
$999 for non-members

Registration Opens:

For PSU Students: Monday, February 17 at 8am
For Non-Students (if space allows): April 3 (tentatively) at 8am
Registration Closes: April 16 at 4pm or when class is full

Registration Closes: April 16 at 4pm or when class is full

Limited to the first 20 registrants. Register online via the member portal or in person at the Member Services desk

Course Description: This course prepares you to become a certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and provides you with the skills needed to become a Personal Trainer for Campus Rec. Topics include anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition, health screening, fitness assessment, program planning and progression, injury prevention, special populations, and more. Academic credit is available. Cost includes exam fee and all study materials. Underrepresented PSU students can apply for the Personal Training Cohort Program, which covers the cost of the course and provides additional mentorship and pathways to employment.

For more information, contact Jenna Siegel, Fitness & Wellbeing Coordinator, at jesiegel@pdx.edu.

Group Fitness Instructor Training (GFIT) Course

Class Dates: January 14th through Winter Term

Class Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:00 - 3:45pm

Class Location: Rec Center, Multipurpose Room 440/441

Class Fee: $299 for Campus Rec members.

Registration Closes: January 24th at 2pm or when class is full.

Course Description: Learn the strategies needed to teach safe and effective group exercise classes. This class is designed to prepare you to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Certification Exam and teach Group X classes for Campus Rec. Cost includes exam fee, textbook, study guide, practice exam, and all instruction. Class is limited to first 10 participants. Academic credit is available. Register at Member Services.

For more information, contact Jenna Siegel, Fitness & Wellbeing Coordinator, at jesiegel@pdx.edu.

Group Fitness Cohort

PROGRAM SUPPORTING UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS ENTERING THE GROUP FITNESS FIELD

The Group Fitness (GF) Cohort Program assists underrepresented students with entering the group fitness industry. Cohort programs reduce barriers to participation by providing free entry into certification courses, mentorship and pathways to employment at Campus Rec, and career paths post graduation. The cohort program offers free entry into the ACE Group Fitness Prep Course ($299 value), mentorship from Campus Rec instructors, a pathway to employment at Campus Rec, and access to career paths post graduation.

Application link

Deadline to apply to the cohort: Sunday, November 17th at 10pm.

For any questions please contact Jenna Siegel at jesiegel@pdx.edu.

Personal Training Cohort Program

Supporting Underrepresented Students Entering the Personal Training Field

The Personal Training (PT) Cohort Program assists underrepresented students with entering the personal training field. Cohort programs reduce barriers to participation by providing free entry into certification courses, mentorship and pathways to employment at Campus Rec, and career paths post graduation. The cohort program offers free entry into the ACE Personal Training Prep Course ($599 value), mentorship from Campus Rec trainers, a pathway to employment at Campus Rec, and access to career paths post graduation. Visit our Employment webpage to learn more about the PT Cohort Program.

PT Cohort Program Details

Fitness On-The-Go

Are you a part of a student organization, department, or team at PSU looking for a fun and active team-building opportunity? Fitness On-the-Go aims to fill a growing need exhibited by the PSU community to access private fitness classes and events for a specific group. Fitness On-the-Go allows for instructors to travel to various spaces across campus and teach Group X classes with ease. The program can also eliminate barriers to Group X participation by bringing Group X classes to a convenient location with familiar faces.

Opportunities: Class types include: Yoga, Bootcamp, Zumba, and HIIT. Special requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be accommodated if possible. Groups must coordinate their own space reservation on campus. Space is limited in the Rec Center but may be available during non-peak hours.

Price: $45/class (classes can be 30-60 mins and cost is the same for all group sizes and class lengths)

To get started: Please submit a Fitness On-the-Go Form, and the Group X Student Coordinator will get back to you within two business days. Note: A minimum of two weeks notice is required.

Contact info: If you have additional questions please contact Jenna Siegel, at jesiegel@pdx.edu.