Wellness Center ranked one of the best

Grand Forks has a limited summer season, so the summer should be cherished. But that doesn’t mean being indoors is any worse, because the Wellness Center at UND is the 10th best university recreation center in the nation, according to College Raptor.

The University of North Dakota Wellness Center, which opened in the fall of 2006, is a state-of-the-art facility that helps cultivate the many needs of the UND community by offering a variety of programs and services. These services include personal training, rock climbing, cooking lessons, intramural sports and annual event competitions.

The personal training program focuses on the physical, emotional and intellectual dimensions of health and wellness. The nationally certified personal trainers will work with you, confidentially, to develop an exercise program to meet your specific needs, while pushing you to meet your goals.

The Culinary Corner aims to “communicate evidence-based nutrition and cooking principles to the UND campus in a fun and applicable way.” Located on the first floor of the UND Wellness Center, classes are open to students, Wellness Center members, faculty and staff of UND.

Culinary Corner instructors range from students to guest chefs, each having their own individual specialties. Whether making sushi or pizza, you will learn culinary skills and tips on healthy eating while never leaving empty-handed.

The intramural program offers students, faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitive and recreational sport activities and special events. Volleyball, wiffleball, dodgeball, basketball, broomball, flag football, indoor soccer and ultimate frisbee are just a few of intramurals that students can sign up for throughout the year.

The Outpost has outdoor gear for the UND community to rent for one day, three days or a week. Camping and cooking gear, canoes and kayaks, bikes, inline skates, ice fishing equipment, skiis, snowboards and hockey skates are available for all members.

One of the highlights of the Wellness Center is the rock wall. It is a great way to meet new people, try a new sport and get in great shape. The rock wall will bring you almost 30 feet off the ground, but you’ll have to work for it. Trained climbers will be available to help you with the best climbing techniques, information on how to incorporate climbing into your workout routine and belay those who do not have a partner who can belay them.

The wellness center also offers instructor certification training in CPR and first aid, PiYo strength, P90X, Turbo Kick and belay training for the rock wall.

Nick Sallen is the editor-in-chief for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected]