More information on registered programs and services
We are here to help. If one of your questions is not answered here, please visit one of our customer service desks.
General Information (Applies to All Programs)
How do I register and pay for a program?
In-person registration
Visit a customer service desk at the Active Living Centre or Joe Doupe Recreation Centre.
Online registration
Payment
The following methods of payment are accepted (depending on how your register):
- Visa, MasterCard, and Debit
How do I access the program facilities?
Facility Access
Applies to programs held at:
- Active Living Centre
- Frank Kennedy Centre
- Max Bell Centre
- Joe Doupe Recreation Centre
Recreation Services Members
Use your membership card to enter through the turnstiles at the facility where your program is scheduled.
Non-Members
- Arrive early on your first day and check in at the Customer Service Desk at the Active Living Centre or Joe Doupe Recreation Centre.
- Present photo ID.
- You will receive one program access card for all current and future programs.
- Swipe access begins 30 minutes before your class.
Access is valid only during your registered program time and may not be used for general facility access. Misuse may result in removal without refund.
Where can I park?
Parking information for each facility is available
Parking at the Active Living Centre
Parking at the Joe Doupe Recreation Centre
During large-scale events at Princess Auto Stadium (e.g., Winnipeg Blue Bombers games or concerts), vehicle access to Fort Garry campus may be restricted beginning 1.5 hours prior to the event.
Programs affected by Event Days will be cancelled and indicated at registration. Visit Event Day Parking for updates.
Is there a way to stay informed on class location changes or unscheduled class cancellations?
Get up-to-date schedules, program details and Recreation Services information at your fingertips. Be sure to activate the 'push notification' feature for the app in your phones notification settings to be eligible to receive all push notifications.
What happens if a class is cancelled or the facility is closed?
If a class is cancelled due to an unplanned closure:
- A credit for the missed class will be placed on your account. * not applicable to Clubs/IM/Group Fitness/Personal Training.
- Credits are valid for one year from the time it was issued.
- Where possible, participants will be notified.
Please ensure your contact information is up to date. Kindly refer to the cancellation policies page for more information.
In addition, download the Recreation Services mobile app for schedule updates and notifications.
What do I need to know before my first class?
Before your first visit, you will receive a detailed email prior to your visit outlining specific requirements.
Unless otherwise noted at the time of registration, general equipment will be provided for your class. We recommend bringing a water bottle, wearing comfortable clothes, clean indoor shoes (if required) and a towel.
Equipment is provided unless stated otherwise. *Not applicable for Intramural Hockey.
Locker rooms and community change rooms are available at all facilities. Daily-use lockers require your own lock (rentals available).
Adult Program-Specific Information
Do I need experience?
Programs are designed for a variety of skill levels. Please review program descriptions for prerequisites.
Martial Arts Participants
Wear comfortable workout clothing to your first class and speak with your instructor regarding uniform requirements.
Climbing Programs
Specific equipment requirements and waiver information will be provided in your pre-program email.
Group Fitness Classes
Do I need to register in advance for a group fitness class?
No. Group fitness classes are included in your membership, and classes do not require advance registration.
Day drop-in passes are available; however, group fitness classes cannot be purchased individually.
Do I need to bring my own equipment for any of these group fitness classes?
No. All equipment is provided for group fitness classes. If you prefer, you may bring your own yoga mat for our Mind/Body class.
What are the expectations for participating in a class?
To help ensure a safe and positive experience for all participants:
- Wear appropriate attire for your activity.
- Clean, indoor running shoes are required for group fitness classes.
- Mind/Body classes may be done barefoot, in socks, or in clean indoor shoes.
- Arrive on time.
- Participants who arrive more than five minutes late will be asked to join the next scheduled class.
- Follow instructor guidance and choose intensity levels appropriate for you.
Intramurals Sports
How long is an intramural season, and how many games will we play?
In most sports, teams will play a minimum of 6 games (generally one game per week). Intramurals run during the academic term and playoffs wrap up before exams start. There are no games during Reading Week.
Can I join if I don’t have a full team?
Yes! If you don’t have a full team, you can register as a “Free Agent” during the player registration period.
Are varsity athletes allowed to play intramurals in their sport?
No. Individuals who compete at the varsity level in a sport are ineligible to participate in that same sport in intramurals during the academic year that they are competing.
However, they are welcome to play intramurals in a different sport.
How do I register for intramurals?
Registration is done online through the UM Sport & Recreation registration portal. Here's how:
For Team Captains:
- Log in using your UM student email address (Reset the password if necessary).
- Select "Intramural Sports & Club". Choose your sport.
- Add your team to the cart, then pay the team default deposit.
- Recreation Services will follow up with more details.
For Free Agents or Individual Players
- Ensure that your student gym access is active for the current academic term and that your waiver in New Aurora is completed or updated.
- Log in to the registration portal. Choose your sport. Then, add your sport to the cart.
- Sport supervisors will contact you to be added to an IMLeagues team.
Registration is first come, first served.
I'm having issues logging into the registration portal/can't register for a team?
If you are a UM student unable to log in:
- First, please ensure that you are logging in using your UM student email address (myumanitoba.ca).
- Reset the password.
- Do not create a new account.
If you are a UM student unable to register and is receiving an error message saying that you do not have the correct membership type:
- An active gym access is needed to register. To activate your student gym access, you must ensure that you have completed your waiver in New Aurora.
- Please see our online instructions to complete the waiver if you have not done so.
- It will take up to five business days for your gym access to be activated and receive an email confirming your access.
- In addition, please ensure that your date of birth is up to date in your online account. There are registration restrictions based on age.
If you are UM staff or faculty unable to log in and/or having issues with registering
- Please ensure that you are using the email address that you provided when you signed up for a gym membership. If you are unsure or wish to change your email address, please visit the customer service desk at the Active Living Centre or Joe Doupe Recreation Centre.
- Do not create a new account. Registrations are restricted to members with an active gym membership.
- Please ensure your date of birth is up to date in your online account.
Who can I contact for questions about intramurals or registration issues?
You can contact the Intramural Coordinator at intramurals@umanitoba.ca.
Personal Training
Do I need a membership to sign up for personal training or can non-members participate?
Both members and non-members can access personal training and assessment services. Non-members using personal training sessions will be granted facility access for their training sessions only.
Can I choose a trainer based on gender, specialty, or personality?
Yes, you can request a specific trainer when filling out the waiver during registration, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, it does not guarantee we can match you with the requested trainer.
Our matches are based on several factors, including availability, level of certification or education required to work with any limitations and health conditions you may be dealing with, and client training goals or area of expertise.
Do you help with nutrition guidance or meal planning?
We can provide general nutrition guidance and healthy-eating guidelines to support your training goals. We do not provide individualised meal plans or therapeutic nutrition counselling, as we do not have a Registered Dietitian on staff. For personalised meal planning, we recommend working with a Registered Dietitian.
Rec Clubs
What is a Rec Club?
Each Rec Club is managed by a student executive team. The students coordinate practices, events, social activities, competitions (if relevant), outreach, and other club operations. Rec Clubs are sanctioned by Recreation Services, which provides support such as facility bookings, equipment access, and administrative support but the clubs are primarily student-run.
Can I start a new Rec Club if the sport I want is not offered?
Yes! New club proposals are welcome. If you are a UM student and passionate about a particular sport or recreational activity, you can submit a proposal to recclubs@umanitoba.ca.
Recreation Services will review it and, if approved, support you in organising and launching the club.
Are there fees associated with joining a Rec Club?
Yes. Many Rec Clubs require membership fees. The amount and payment process vary by club. The fees for each club can be viewed in the online registration portal.
After registering and completing checkout in the portal, you need to contact the club president for details on fees, required equipment, and any additional costs.