Recreation & Wellness for Everybody
Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation & Wellness
Providing quality opportunities for students to enhance their wellbeing and create a sense of community is our vision and goal at Recreation & Wellness. Therefore, we believe it is imperative that every student feel welcomed and supported through our programs & services. We appreciate the individuality of our students and welcome all identities. With inclusion at the forefront, we will be highlighting the many ways in which students can participate in sports, fitness, wellness, and outdoor adventures through Recreation & Wellness. No matter who you are, there is a place for you at Recreation & Wellness.
Fitness for everybody
- Group Exercise meets participants where they are at! We offer classes at both the Allendale and downtown campus locations. Beginners are welcome and encouraged.
- We offer many free classes for students including L.I.F.Tand Women on Weights.L.I.F.T., or LGBTQIA Inclusive Fitness Training, is a supportive and safe environment for individuals who identify in the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to perform strength-based workouts. Women on Weights is a group exercise class currently offered on Mondays and Wednesdays for female-identifying participants to engage in a strength training by lifting weights.
- To access ALL group exercise classes, including small group training it is only $8 per month for students.
- We also have UFit, which is a FREE program for students! It allows you to meet with a Fitness Specialist to design a custom fitness program just for you using the equipment/space you have access to.
- Personal Training is available in-person or virtually. It is a customized exercise program tailored to meet your needs while using equipment you have access to. For details on sessions and costs visit the fitness services page.
Wellness for everybody
All of Wellness services are free and available to all students!
- We offer free safer sex supplies and STI testing on campus.
- From navigating campus resources, to assisting with your wellness goals, Wellness Navigators and Wellness Coaching are here to help!
- Also, feel free to chat with WIT peer educators on campus or online to ask questions about wellness.
- By using the 8 dimensions of wellness, we are here to support you on your journey to health and well-being. Our customizable programming around sexual health, nutrition, rest, sleep, stress, and general wellness is available to support GVSU students in feeling healthier and happier.
Sports for everybody
- IM Sports now have open leagues (non-gendered leagues) meaning any student can participate in the league, regardless of their gender. There are no restrictions placed on the number of each gender required for teams. No experience is necessary to join an IM league and all are welcome. All necessary equipment and materials are provided.
- Club Sports offers over 50 different sports teams to join and hosts open try-outs every year for all teams.
- Esports welcomes all students to play their favorite video games at the Laker Esports Center (LEC) for FREE. There are 23 stations available fully equipped and available to use at daily drop-in hours . We encourage beginners to participate and staff is readily available to provide assistance if needed.
Outdoors for everybody
- Climbing center is free for students during open hours along with belay lessons, which are available upon request. No experience is necessary.
- Equipment rental including backpacking/camping gear is available at the Ravines Center . Equipment rental rates are modestly priced, especially when compared to that of competitors.
- The Ravines Center also houses self-service bike maintenance with an assortment of tools for making the most minor repairs.
- Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of opportunities for you to get outside and meet new friends through special events where beginners are welcome.
Programs and services offered by Recreation & Wellness are created to accommodate various levels of ability and skill, and as a department, Recreation & Wellness works with many campus partners to uphold university efforts in inclusion.
Wheelchair Sporting Events
What are wheelchair sports?
Wheelchair sports include different sports or recreational activities played in wheelchairs. Based on the sport, specific modifications can be made to the rules of the game so to be inclusive and adaptive.
Who can play?
Everyone! These events are welcome to all students, staff, faculty and community members with or without a disability of any kind. Specific future events will list the age requirement to participate.
Purpose
Wheelchair sporting events are socially inclusive opportunities for all individuals to come together to learn, have fun, and play sports. The goal is to create an accessible and accommodating environment for those with disabilities to participate in recreation on campus. Able-bodied participation is encouraged as a chance to play and learn about disability by highlighting the abilities of individuals with disabilities. One major purpose of these events is to gauge interest and thoughts from participants about future inclusive programming on campus. Events allow the Grand Valley community to come together to have fun in a space that promotes health and social inclusion through recreational activities.
Questions?
Do you have additional questions? Interested in learning about future wheelchair sporting events? Email Taylor Porter, Adaptive & Inclusive Graduate Assistant, at [email protected]
Accessible Facilities
Athletics and Recreation Facilities prides itself on maintaining facilities that are not only compliant and accessible, but welcoming and inclusive to a variety of populations. Most facilities are not only ADA compliant, but also designed to accommodate a various level of skills.
In the Fieldhouse, locker rooms B025 (Women’s) and B020 (Men's) can be accessed downstairs via a ramp at Lot E. Open when the facilities are open, a nursing nest is provided for nursing mothers in B127 and can be used by students, faculty, and staff. In addition, a gender inclusive bathroom is located in the basement (B055). There are 9 single user stalls in the women’s locker room. Gendered locker rooms that lead directly to the pool are also accessible and able to be accessed via the Lot E ramp. The pool also allows for a transfer from wheelchair to water, and lifeguards are always on duty to supervise.
Adaptive Equipment
- Mat table
- Exercise bands
- Nu-Step bike
- Exercise bikes
- Upper body arm ergometer
- Strength training pieces
If You Can Play, You Can Play
Affirmative Action Statement
Grand Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the university.
Transgender Policies
Recreation & Wellness follows the NIRSA Transgender Policy. GVSU Athletics follows the NCAA Transgender Policy.
In both athletics and recreation, we promote inclusion and equity. GVSU Recreation & Wellness supports the If You Can Play, You Can Play Campaign to promote equality in recreation in sports, no matter the gender identity.
Questions & Concerns
If you have questions about inclusive-related policies, please contact the Recreation & Wellness office by email at [email protected] or by phone at (616) 331-1732. You may also submit a bias incident report.
For more information on university-wide efforts for inclusion and equity, check out the Division of Inclusion and Equity.