Wellness Wednesdays

Wellness Wednesdays allow for Oxford Brookes University students to use our gym facilities for free, all day on Wednesdays, all year round.

With fewer lectures on Wednesday afternoons, it's the perfect chance to incorporate some exercise into your week.

We provide various options to help you start your gym journey with confidence and our Inclusive Gym Time is designed for those who prefer a quieter environment. You can find out more about that below.

We’re committed to creating the best experience for our students. If you have any questions, suggestions or feedback about Wellness Wednesdays, Brookes Active or our facilities, we’d love to hear from you!

Email us at brookesactive@brookes.ac.uk or complete our Brookes Active Feedback Form.

Looking for a calmer way to unwind on Wednesdays?

Crafternoon Tea: Wednesdays, 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Garden Room, Buckley Building, Headington Campus

Unwind, chat, and try your hand at a craft. Bring your own project, learn something new, or join in our simple charity crafts. Drop in for as long or as little as you like, it is a calm, friendly space for students and staff.

Find out more about Crafternoon Tea.

How to get involved

Follow these steps to enjoy Wellness Wednesday:

Ensure you sign up for a Student Registration or have an existing student account, or a student membership.
On your first Wednesday visit, bring your student ID to reception. They will activate your access so you can enjoy free gym entry every Wednesday.
Download the Brookes Sport App (iOS or Android).
To log in to the app, select any activity, click "Book" and then use the login button in the top right corner. Enter your registered email and if you've forgotten your password, click "Reset Password."
On Wednesdays, on the app click on "Activity Check-In" on the home screen and scan the QR code at the gym entrance to access the facilities.

Inclusive Gym Time

We are proud to have Inclusive Gym Time as part of Wellness Wednesdays.

This is a sensory quiet time for anyone who prefers to get active in a quieter environment.

On Wednesday mornings, from when we open until 10am, we:

Turn off the music
Turn off all public TV screens
Politely request that all gym users work out as quietly as possible

Please note that a fire alarm test occurs every Wednesday at around 9.45am at Brookes Sport, Headington.

We also have a second Inclusive Gym Time on Thursdays, 2pm - 5pm.

Quieter Days and Times

Thursdays are typically a quieter day in our gym
9am - 11am & 2pm - 5pm on weekdays are typically quieter
Weekend mornings (9am - 11am) are typically quieter

Starting your gym journey with confidence

New to the gym or just need a refresher? We've got you covered! We offer a range of free support and specialised classes designed to help you build confidence, master the equipment and kickstart your fitness goals.

Get Started: Free Support Services

These services are FREE and highly recommended for all new or nervous gym users:

Book a Gym Induction: Learn how to safely and effectively use our gym machines, get familiar with the facility and ask our friendly fitness team any questions.
- Individual Sessions: Book by emailing us directly at brookesactive@brookes.ac.uk
- Group Sessions: Open to everyone and bookable each week via the BrookesSport app (Android and iOS)
- Inclusive Group Gym Induction: Perfect for those who feel nervous or have specific access needs. Join a small, supportive group every Thursday at 2pm. Book your spot via the BrookesSport app.
Wellness Checks: A fantastic way to build confidence and map out your fitness journey.

Level Up Your Skills

Personal Training: Ready for focused support in the gym? Explore the benefits of personalised coaching with our expert trainers. We offer options for 1:1 or 2:1 sessions to help you smash your fitness goals faster.
Learn to Lift Classes: These small group fitness classes take place right on the gym floor and are focused on teaching proper technique for key lifts and movements (e.g., squatting, deadlifting). They are bookable via the BrookesSport app (Android and iOS), fees may apply, but are included within memberships.

Need More Help? Our team is always here for you! For any questions or support, please speak to a member of our friendly staff in the gym or email brookesactive@brookes.ac.uk

BUCS Wednesdays

Wednesday is the sporting highlight of the week at Brookes Sport, as our TEAMBrookes sports teams compete against universities from across the country in their British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) games.

As part of our Wellness Wednesdays initiative, we're encouraging the entire Oxford Brookes community to get active on Wednesdays and then show their support for our teams at the BUCS fixtures taking place on campus.

Fixtures take place every Wednesday from mid-October to the end of March and we post the weekly schedule on our Instagram (@brookessportoxford) on Mondays and on our stories stories every Wednesday morning.

Brookes Sport is also a fantastic social hub. We warmly welcome students, staff and community members to use our social spaces, Sports Bar and Breton Café to relax and enjoy quality time with friends.