Campus Recreation Keeps Pepperdine Community Active

Group fitness classes, club sports, and outdoor activities help students, faculty, and staff stay fit and connected.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Pepperdine's Campus Recreation department offers a variety of resources to the university community, including group fitness classes, club sports, intramural leagues, outdoor excursions, and equipment rentals. These programs have grown in popularity, attracting a diverse group of participants who enjoy the camaraderie, expert instruction, and physical and mental health benefits.

Why it matters

Providing accessible fitness and wellness opportunities on campus helps foster a healthy, engaged community at Pepperdine. The variety of programs caters to different interests and skill levels, allowing students, faculty, and staff to stay active and connected throughout their time at the university.

The details

Campus Recreation's group fitness classes, taught by knowledgeable instructors like alumnus Jonathan Opsahl, cover a range of disciplines from strength training to conditioning. The classes are free for the Pepperdine community and attract a dedicated following, including faculty members like Professor Bradley Griffin. Club sports, such as the popular Club Tennis team, give students a chance to compete and socialize without the time commitment of varsity athletics. Campus Recreation also organizes outdoor adventures and provides equipment rentals to encourage an active lifestyle.

  • Pepperdine's Campus Recreation department has been offering these programs for several years.
  • The group fitness classes run Monday through Friday during the academic year.
  • The Club Tennis team was formed in the fall 2022 term.

The players

Jonathan Opsahl

A Pepperdine alumnus ('20) and former staff member of The Graphic, Opsahl is a Campus Recreation fitness instructor who has taught the Strength and Conditioning class at The Cage Fitness Center for four years.

Bradley Griffin

A Professor of Theatre at Pepperdine, Griffin has been attending the university's group fitness classes since the summer of 2023 and appreciates the individualized attention provided by the instructors.

Georgia Brown

A first-year student, Brown joined Pepperdine's Club Tennis team in the fall term and enjoys the community aspect and ability to stay active while managing her coursework.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that both students, faculty and staff get to come to these [fitness] classes for free and they're taught by three fantastic instructors, is great. I just can't believe that we get such high-quality instruction and it's just part of the benefit of being at Pepperdine.”

— Bradley Griffin, Professor of Theatre (pepperdine-graphic.com)

“What I like the most [about the fitness classes] is just exposing people to new ways of moving their body and different things that they can do to expand their potential.”

— Jonathan Opsahl, Campus Recreation Fitness Instructor (pepperdine-graphic.com)

“Being on the [Club Tennis] team has been a good way to still stay active while still being able to manage schoolwork, so that physical activity isn't something you have to stress about.”

— Georgia Brown, First-year Student (pepperdine-graphic.com)

What’s next

Campus Recreation plans to continue expanding its offerings and encouraging more students, faculty, and staff to participate in the various fitness and wellness programs.

The takeaway

Pepperdine's robust Campus Recreation department provides the university community with abundant opportunities to stay active, connect with others, and prioritize their physical and mental well-being, demonstrating the institution's commitment to a holistic approach to student and employee success.