Stanford Recreation and Wellness: Providing Comprehensive Activities and Fostering Belonging

Cause

We’re more than just a gym. We do our work wherever people can move, play or adventure. We’re an environment, a quality and a feeling. We’re everywhere. We are not just in the gym; we’re in the classroom and dorms, on the fields and trails, and in the water and woods. We’re an inclusive community where students, faculty and staff come together to find a safe and welcoming space to belong. We strengthen emotional, physical and mental well-being. We’re a powerhouse mental health solution. We ignite a culture of belonging and well-being through movement, play, adventure, learning and fun.

Description of Facilities

Nestled in the foothills of Silicon Valley, Stanford Recreation and Wellness (Rec and Well) provides spaces that inspire, educate and empower the community to maintain active and balanced lifestyles. Our facilities are designed with well-being in mind, offering a welcoming environment for all.

Arrillaga Outdoor Education and Recreation Center

State-of-the-art cardio and weightlifting equipment are suited for all fitness levels, promoting physical health and endurance.
The 50-meter outdoor pool is used for swimming laps and serves as a gathering space.
The climbing and bouldering walls offer a physical challenge that fosters mental resilience and a sense of accomplishment, coupled with beginner-friendly routes and resources for new climbers.
Three full-length basketball courts with large arch-topped windows offer a view of Hoover Tower in the distance.
The Outdoor Center is home to a full-service rental and retail facility, a lounge, an outdoor resource library, and trip planning area.
Multipurpose studios provide a range of classes that support physical and mental wellness, and they’re accessible to all community members.
Locker rooms — including all-gender — ensure comfort and convenience for all visitors.
A large, dedicated personal training studio supports one-on-one and small group learning.
An Athletic Training clinic supports club athletes.

Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation

A dedicated F45 Training studio was installed in 2017.
A dedicated space for fencing serves as a learning and competitive outlet.
A 3,600-square-foot mat room supports wellness activities like yoga, Pilates and martial arts.
The fitness center is equipped with weight machines, cardio equipment and ample space for free weights.
Three full-length basketball courts and seven squash courts create a venue for team building and friendship making.
Four adjacent racquetball courts.

Stanford Redwood City Recreation and Wellness Center

A modern, state-of-the-art 34,000-square-foot facility on Stanford’s Redwood City Campus.
The six-lane rooftop pool offers a serene setting for both relaxation and exercise.
Features a Functional Fitness garden for outdoor workouts.
Indoor gymnasium for basketball, pickleball, badminton and community building.
A broad selection of classes and personal training options support individual fitness journeys.
Full-service locker rooms with towel service to ensure comfort and convenience for all visitors.

Other Notable Locations

The Red Barn Equestrian Center: Stanford’s oldest building and a link to the university’s founding. The Red Barn is a unique facility for horseback riding and equestrian training.
Stanford Campus Recreation Association: Offers tennis, swimming and summer camps.
Arrillaga Recreation Center at SLAC: Recreational facility specifically for Stanford Linear Accelerator Center employees.
Outdoor Fitness Court: An outdoor bodyweight gym featuring a seven-station circuit training system for a full-body workout.
Steuber Rugby Field and Clubhouse: A premier facility that supports rugby training and matches along with a community gathering space for sporting events.
Coming September 2024 — Covered Taube Tennis Courts: For tennis enthusiasts, providing year-round access for recreational classes, tournaments and recreational play.
Cobb Track: A modern track and field complex that hosts university and local track events, and encourages community use.
Fields (Sand Hill, Johnson, IM South): These fields accommodate a variety of sports and activities, supporting everything from sport programs to large student gatherings.
Golf Course: Managed by the varsity sports department, this course offers a professional-grade venue for golf enthusiasts through recreational classes and community use.
Manzanita Field: Primarily supports graduate life, offering a space for recreation, leisure and community events.

Programming Highlights

Our programs cater to a diverse range of interests, ensuring a comprehensive variety of activities for all members. Here’s a detailed look at what Stanford Rec and Well offers:

Since 1894, the Physical Wellness program has provided opportunities for students to learn new skills through a variety of lifetime physical activity courses including yoga, aquatics, fitness, racquet sports, golf and martial arts. These courses are tailored to help students stay active, manage stress, have fun, and create a positive attitude toward well-being and physical activity, supporting a holistic approach to health.
50 Club Sports teams traveled over 100,000 miles and 15 participated in national competitions in the 2023-2024 school year.

More than 50 group fitness and 10 recreational classes provide an energetic and supportive environment to stay active each quarter.
SPOT (Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips) sends 200 incoming students to California’s most scenic countryside where they form life-long bonds and meet their fellow classmates before the school year.
Our 6,500 square feet of climbing space holds 100-plus boulder problems and 40 rope climbs for recreational use, introductory lessons and advanced climbing courses.
Outdoor education classes — which offer academic credit — include leadership, wilderness first aid, kayaking and rock climbing.
Personal Training offers exclusive access to a dedicated studio and equipment.
All Stanford full-time staff receive two complimentary personal training sessions and fitness assessments
Camp Cardinal is an all-sports camp for youth during the summer and throughout the academic year.
Aquatics instruction courses include adult and youth swim programs, aqua fitness, and safety courses, successfully teaching 180 members how to be water-safe in the past year.
The Masters Swimming program has nearly 300 swimmers, and coach Tim Edmonds has been a mainstay for over 26 years.
Designated inclusive programs include adaptive fitness equipment demonstrations, fitness center orientations, recreational pool orientations and more.
Employment development initiatives to mentor, build and elevate staff.

Fun Facts

Our 2023/2022 survey results highlight our positive impact:
- 92% felt welcome in Rec and Well facilities.
- 97% agreed Rec and Well supports mental health.
- 88% felt belonging through Rec and Well participation.
- 76% agreed Rec and Well is dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Rec and Well collaborates with Residential Education and Athletics to bridge the gap between sports and student life with the Farm Games’ fun and wacky activities.
18% of the Stanford Equestrian team are Native American student-athletes.
This year, women’s rugby won the National Championship for the first time in 16 years.
Rec and Well has won multiple first place NIRSA Creative Excellence Awards including:
- 2024 Audiovisual Promotion: Where You Belong
- 2021 Comprehensive Brochure and Facility Publication: Reopening Playbook