Indiana University Bloomington (IU) is deeply committed to student well-being, recognizing that managing stress and prioritizing health are key to academic success. To further this commitment, IU sought to create dedicated wellness spaces that would provide students with opportunities for relaxation, meditation and recovery. A renovation of aging facilities presented an ideal opportunity to repurpose space within the Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC) for a new Wellness Studio, designed to support student wellness.
IU partnered with WellnessSpace Brands to bring innovative wellness solutions to campus, integrating advanced relaxation and recovery equipment to enhance the student experience.
IU Recreational Sports plays a central role in fostering student well-being, offering resources to help students manage stress and achieve balance. As part of a broader initiative to promote wellness across campus, IU prioritized a dedicated Wellness Studio in the SRSC renovation.
The goal was to provide students with accessible, high-impact recovery options within recreational facilities. By repurposing an underutilized space, IU was able to design an area focused entirely on relaxation, meditation, massage and recovery.
IU’s decision to invest in wellness spaces was driven in part by student demand. Student leaders, including members of the Student Recreational Sports Association, consistently voiced a desire for more dedicated wellness spaces on campus.
To ensure IU was making the right investment, the team reviewed wellness solutions used by Big10 colleagues. Seeing the success of wellness programs at peer institutions confirmed that modern recovery solutions were essential for enhancing student well-being.
During the 2024 NIRSA National Conference, IU’s Recreational Sports team explored wellness innovations and discovered WellnessSpace Brands’ products in the expo hall. After testing HydroMassage, CryoLounge+ and RelaxSpace, the team quickly recognized their potential to support students’ wellness needs.
Each team member had a personal favorite machine, which reinforced the value of offering multiple wellness options. This led to the decision to integrate all three solutions into the new Wellness Studio.
The Wellness Studio was designed from the ground up with intentional wellness-focused aesthetics, including:
To ensure strong student adoption, IU implemented a comprehensive awareness campaign, utilizing:
IU selected WellnessSpace Brands’ solutions in part for their ease of cleaning and maintenance. The equipment features removable, easy-to-clean surfaces, ensuring a hygienic, low-maintenance experience for students. Sanitation protocols include daily wipe-downs by staff and self-cleaning by users, reinforcing confidence in the cleanliness of the equipment.
IU has been highly satisfied with WellnessSpace Brands’ support. The ability to perform remote diagnostics allows service teams to troubleshoot issues quickly, minimizing downtime and ensuring seamless operation. Additionally, the Control 2.0 technical support platform provides accessible resources and a responsive phone assistance team, making it easy for IU to receive guidance and resolve any technical concerns efficiently.
IU expanded its Wellness Studio to include additional HydroMassage and CryoLounge+ units, increasing capacity to meet growing student demand.
Looking ahead, a major renovation of IU’s historical recreational fieldhouse is underway, creating the potential for a second Wellness Studio. Continuous student feedback and usage data will play a key role in shaping future decisions regarding the expansion of wellness offerings.
IU’s success in launching the Wellness Studio provides valuable lessons for other institutions:
Invest in student well-being with proven solutions that promote relaxation, recovery and performance. Discover how WellnessSpace Brands can help transform your campus wellness initiatives.
