Vanderbilt Recreation & Wellness Center

This comment is for those whom are looking to do WEIGHT LIFTING. DO NOT COME HERE. Please find another gym. 1st dumbells are in no particular order, you have 17.5s right next to 60s(see photo). 2nd the adjustable cable don’t tell you the weight your lifting, instead you have to look at a index for it(see photo). 3rd barely any attachments for the adjustable cables, very minimal and never to be found instead scattered all on the floor. 4th the actual cable machines are very dated not allowing you to align your arm or leg paths the way they should be(e.g. on shoulder press the elbows should be tucked 45 degrees but the machine doesn’t adjust forward/backwards leaving your elbows straight to your side causing shoulder pain). 5th get use to getting on the floor to see what switch corresponds with the weight because from the seats you can’t tell. 6th they expect you to wipe the machines but 3/4 wipe stations were empty. 6th barely and plates expect bumper plates.

The gym is adequate, and has the equipment you need for a full workout. Sometimes there aren’t enough squat racks and benches during the busiest hours, but that should be expected. I would give the rec a 4 star review but for the pool fiasco. I have been a graduate student at Vanderbilt since Fall 2021. In Fall 2021, the pool was open, but limited by COVID. Since the Spring 2022 semester, the pool has been closed indefinitely. Upper management’s response to this situation has been, at best, disorganized and non-responsive. They have not provided even a rough timeline of when the pool will be fixed or what issues are being fixed. This isn’t an indictment of the front desk student workers who I’ve talked to–they probably don’t know anything about the pool because management either doesn’t care about the pool, has no idea what to do with the pool, or both. Vanderbilt charges $611 per academic year in (mandatory) student facility fees which include costs for a pool I probably won’t be able to use before I graduate. There are no other pools on campus, and nearby pools require a membership or day pass purchase and don’t have enough open swimming blocks anyway. Overall, while I’m disappointed that I have been unable to swim consistently, I’m more frustrated by management inaction in response to this situation. If you’re a lifter or a runner, this is a fine gym, but if you like to swim, I would not recommend Vanderbilt Rec Center.

This used to be a fine facility before COVID. They were open to community and alumni and had a variety of classes and summer programs. Over two years while they have reopened their doors, their new policies are highly restrictive to Vanderbilt alumni, the community, and even VUMC spouses. Meanwhile, at nearby YMCAs with saunas, friendly staff, and updated equipment are passing them by. Why give your money to a university that isn’t part of the community? The Vanderbilt rec center has not kept pace with the community and much like other parts of Vanderbilt is falling behind the community and showing leadership. Meanwhile, other spots in the community shine much brighter. This makes me sad. They need new leadership.

Very nice gym! Has multiple large spaces with plenty of machines but if you want to do yoga, it's difficult to find a place.

Why are they no allow spouses from vumc employees to buy a membership? that is so unfair.