Free Weight Club

The Free Weight Club boasts the largest membership of any VP&S Club and is conveniently located in 50 Haven Ave. adjacent to the ballroom. Following recent total gym renovations, the club is filled with fresh weight-training and cardiovascular equipment. Governed by a democratic policy, all members contribute to the evolution of the club. With entertainment systems installed, you can exuberantly train a body that would make Frank Netter proud while taking in the aesthetics of the Hudson River at sunset. With 24-hour access through our password-protected system, an evening lift in the foreground of the illuminated George Washington Bridge may be the catalyst to inspire the extra hours needed studying the muscle groups you were destroying all night. We hope to see you on the platform soon!

Our facility is open to current students, faculty, and staff at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. You must have a Columbia ID to join. This facility is not open to the public. Membership fees are nominal compared to other New York City fitness clubs, and all funds are used for purchasing new equipment and making improvements to the gym.

Free Weight Club Perks

Our equipment and features include:

  • Full set of dumbbells (5-140 lbs)
  • New squat racks with 12-foot customized FWC platforms
  • Treadmill
  • Multiple stationary bikes
  • Several designated bench presses
  • Extensive cable machine with supplemental attachments
  • 24-hour access
  • TV and stereo system

Membership Information

Membership sign-ups for the Free Weight Club will no longer take place in the VP&S Club Office. If you have questions about renewing or signing up, please email freeweightclub@columbia.edu. We do not have a physical office; you must purchase a membership online.

As a reminder, this is a paid membership for a specific weight room. This is not the 50 Haven Ave. Athletic Center, which all students can access for free.

Follow these instructions to become a member of the Free Weight Club.

  1. Purchase a membership.
  2. Sign a waiver (request it online). The waiver has a front and back and both must be fully completed with all signatures and initials. To submit the waiver, please print, sign, scan, and email it to freeweightclub@columbia.edu. JPGs and electronic signatures are not acceptable. 
  3. Acquire a sticker. Schedule a time to meet with us to pick up one. 

After completion of these steps, you will receive an email with your username and password to access the Free Weight Club.

If you have any questions or concerns, email freeweightclub@columbia.edu

Eligibility/Use of Free Weight Club

You must have a Columbia University ID (students, faculty, staff) to be a member of the Free Weight Club. Staff members with dual appointments —both Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP) or Columbia and New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) ID—are eligible. However, those with only an NYP ID, only an NYSPI ID, or general members of the community are ineligible for membership. Just your UNI is not enough to sign up; we require your physical ID card.

Please remember that use of the Free Weight Club facility is at your own risk as stated by the current and future waivers, and non-members and minors are not permitted to use the facility under any circumstances. Members found assisting or facilitating non-member access or use of the club will be indefinitely suspended from the club and subject to termination of membership subject to the club officers’ discretion. Please do not bring guests into the space to use the equipment if they are not registered paid members.

Members are required to post their Columbia University ID in the cardholder upon entering the club. Those without current stickers affixed to their cards will be asked to leave.

Free Weight Club Prices

The cost for students is $100.

The cost for staff members is $180. 

Please note: Returning members may be eligible for discounts.

Lift Off

The Lift Off is an annual event hosted by FWC. It is an opportunity for participants to showcase their newfound strength and fitness personal records. This event takes place in the spring.

Contact Us

For more information, email freeweightclub@columbia.edu.