La Crosse, Wisconsin – A new era of inclusive fitness has arrived in La Crosse with the opening of the STAR Center, a dedicated adaptive fitness facility. The center, located at 1011 La Crosse Street, hosted a public open house on Saturday, January 25th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, marking a significant step towards making health and wellness accessible to everyone in the community. The facility officially opens for business on February 3rd, 2025.
A Decade-Long Dream Realized
For nearly a decade, the STAR (Sports, Therapeutic, and Adaptive Recreation) Association has been providing adaptive sports and specialized exercise programs to the La Crosse community. However, these programs have been operating without a permanent home, utilizing venues like Central High School and the Concordia Ballroom. According to STAR President, Dr. Virginia Wintersteen, a local physician, the organization has been working towards establishing a dedicated facility since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic stalled their plans. The new center finally provides a permanent and accessible space for their critical work.
What is Adaptive Fitness?
Adaptive fitness is a specialized approach to exercise that modifies and tailors physical activities to meet the unique needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or those recovering from injuries. It’s about creating opportunities for everyone to engage in physical activity, regardless of their limitations. The goal is to improve physical and mental health, increase independence, and boost overall well-being. Adaptive programs often include modified techniques, assistive devices, and specialized equipment to ensure safe and effective workouts.
Key Benefits of Adaptive Fitness:
- Improved Physical Health: Adaptive fitness enhances strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health.
- Mental Health Boost: Regular exercise has a positive impact on mood, stress, anxiety, and cognitive function.
- Increased Independence: Adaptive programs help individuals maintain the ability to perform daily tasks.
- Enhanced Socialization: Group fitness programs offer opportunities to meet new people and build supportive communities.
- Improved Quality of Life: By promoting physical and mental wellness, adaptive fitness contributes to a better overall quality of life.
The STAR Center: A Hub for Inclusivity
The STAR Center is the first accessible adaptive fitness center in the region committed to serving individuals with disabilities. This facility marks a significant advancement in the area of inclusive fitness, providing a space where people of all abilities can participate in a variety of programs.
Key Features of the STAR Center:
- Specialized Equipment: The center boasts a range of specialized equipment, some of which has never before been available in the community. This equipment is designed to allow people of all abilities to exercise independently and safely.
- Group Exercise Space: In addition to the strength and conditioning area, the facility will have a dedicated space for group exercise classes. This will allow the STAR Center to double the number of specialized disease-specific classes that it offers.
- Accessible Design: The facility is designed to be fully accessible, ensuring that individuals using mobility aids can move freely and easily within the space. This is aligned with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires facilities to be safe, adequately equipped, and maintained to optimize accessibility for all.
- Extended Hours: The new facility will offer extended hours of operation, from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, increasing the amount of time that people with mobility limitations can use the facilities.
Programs and Services Offered
The STAR Center offers various programs designed to meet the diverse needs of the community. These programs fall into several categories:
Specialized Exercise Programs
These programs are designed to address the specific needs of individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions. They focus on improving strength, flexibility, and overall fitness through tailored workouts.
Adaptive Recreation
These programs introduce participants to new activities that may become lifelong passions. They promote fun, social interaction, and physical activity through adapted sports and recreational pursuits. Examples of adaptive recreation include activities like wheelchair basketball, adaptive skiing and sitting volleyball.
Para Sports
These programs are designed for individuals with disabilities who want to compete in sports. The center will continue to offer Para Sport programs at Central High School. These programs emphasize teamwork, skill development, and competitive play.
Inclusion Programs
The STAR Center also provides inclusion programs, ensuring that people with and without disabilities can participate in activities together. This promotes community engagement and understanding.
The STAR Center programs are available to people of all ages, including youth, adults, and seniors. There are even therapeutic activities designed specifically for veterans, including Wounded Warriors and those experiencing PTSD, social isolation and other conditions.
Importance of Accessibility and Inclusivity
The opening of the STAR Center highlights the growing need for accessible and inclusive fitness facilities. It’s important to distinguish between accessibility and inclusivity. Accessibility refers to the physical features of a space, ensuring that people with disabilities can enter and use the facility. This may include features like ramps, wide doorways, and accessible equipment. Inclusivity, on the other hand, focuses on creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable and valued. Both are crucial to ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities to participate in fitness activities.
Challenges in Existing Fitness Centers
Many traditional fitness facilities are not designed with accessibility in mind. Common barriers include:
- Physical Barriers: Narrow pathways, uneven flooring, heavy doors, inaccessible equipment, and lack of appropriate signage.
- Environmental Barriers: Inconvenient scheduling, high membership costs, and a lack of accommodations for people with disabilities.
- Lack of Staff Training: Often, fitness center staff are not trained to work with people with disabilities.
These barriers can make it difficult for people with disabilities to access and enjoy the benefits of regular exercise. By contrast, the STAR Center has worked diligently to create a welcoming environment that addresses these challenges.
The Impact of the STAR Center
The STAR Center is not just a fitness facility; it’s a community hub that promotes health equity and well-being. It offers opportunities for people with disabilities to enhance their physical and mental health, increase their independence, and connect with others. The center will also provide specialized classes, which will allow more individuals to participate in programs designed to meet their specific health needs. Furthermore, by offering extended hours, the center will increase accessibility for individuals whose schedules previously limited their fitness options.
The opening of the STAR Center is a significant step forward in making fitness more accessible and inclusive in La Crosse. This facility will make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities and help create a healthier, more vibrant community. The STAR Center will continue to offer Adaptive recreation and Para Sport programs at Central High School, in addition to the new facility.
Getting Involved
The STAR Center encourages community members to get involved in their mission. They offer financial assistance and scholarships to make programs accessible to everyone. You can find information on how to donate, volunteer, and learn more about their programs on their website. The STAR Center can be reached at 608-797-6295 or by email at info@starcenterlacrosse.org. Memberships for the facility became available for sign-up on January 20th.
