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Healthy Living Center

A Gundersen Health System and La Crosse Area Family YMCA collaboration for a healthier, stronger community.

Hours & address

Community health
Healthy Living Center
1140 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

Patient hours

Sun: Closed
Mon–Fri: 8:00 am–4:00 pm
(by appt only)
Sat: Closed

Phone numbers

Get directions

About the Healthy Living Center

Connecting healthcare, wellbeing and community to achieve longer healthier lives for all.

Gundersen Health System and the La Crosse Area Family YMCA are enriching lives with the area's first Healthy Living Center to:

  • Provide individuals and families with classes and programs staffed by Gundersen and Y professionals to foster healthy lifestyles
  • Help community members seamlessly transition from Gundersen medical care to Y-supervised programming

Located at the Dahl Family YMCA in La Crosse, the 7,500 square foot Healthy Living Center features a dedicated fitness center for Y and Gundersen programming; flexible classroom space; a teaching kitchen; and spacious exam rooms for Gundersen providers. The Healthy Living Center also has its own entrance for participant privacy, convenient parking, free childcare for select classes, and a free, three-month Y membership with most classes.

Start your path to healthy today! 

Watch video to learn more

Frequently asked questions

What's the mission?

A Gundersen Health System and La Crosse Area Family YMCA collaboration for a healthier, stronger community

When did the center open?

2016

Who teaches classes?

The Healthy Living Center is staffed by Gundersen and Y professionals.

Is there a cost?

Costs vary, specific program information can be found on the classes page.

Do I need to be a Gundersen patient to use the center?

No, the programs and classes offered at the Healthy Living Center are open to the public. Registration is typically required.

Do I need to be a member of the Y to use the center?

A YMCA membership is not required to attend these classes.

Classes, programs & services

The Healthy Living Center has programs for every lifestyle, including:

  • Nutrition and weight management support from Gundersen registered dietitians; nutrition counseling; cooking classes; and Gundersen's Family LEAP (Learn, Eat, Active, Play) program, all for children and adults
  • Prenatal and postpartum classes that include exercise and support for mom and baby from Gundersen and Y experts
  • The Y's LIVESTRONG and Diabetes Prevention Programs
  • Emotional Wellness individual and group support services from Gundersen professionals
  • Movin' & Improvin' supervised exercise programming
  • Sports medicine, physical therapy
  • Learn to Love Your Skin from a registered dietitian
  • And much more!

Not all programs have courses year round. Learn more about our classes below or click the button to see what is currently available.

Find classes & programs

Childbirth & family education

Family LEAP

Family LEAP Program (Learn, Eat, Active Play) Program is a 12-week weight management program for children ages 7-16, who are at risk for weight-related health problems, and their families. Learn more on the event page, by contacting your child's primary care provider, or call us to request information by phone

View event page

Before Baby Wellness

Before Baby Wellness, led by Gundersen midwives and offered at the Healthy Living Center, provides a caring group environment for expecting individuals. The goal is to enrich your pregnancy journey by bringing pregnant individuals together and providing education on your changing body and overall health. Each session includes individual consultation with a midwife as well as group classes that focus on nutrition, emotional wellness, physical therapy and include an exercise/activity session facilitated by the YMCA staff. Program includes a three-month YMCA membership including childcare during class sessions.

Learn more

Let's Talk Puberty, Girls!

This class is a session with Gundersen pediatric nurse-practitioners and nurse-midwives for girls and their support person to learn about puberty, the changes in their bodies, in a safe and supported environment. The class is intended for girls age 8-13 and one support person.

Learn more

Emotional wellness

Behavioral health/wellness/addiction treatment

Gundersen Behavioral Health has integrated traditional behavioral health and addiction treatment with mental and physical wellness at the Healthy Living Center. Options for treatment include both individual and group. Our evening addiction treatment program expands the concept of traditional addiction treatment to also include healthy lifestyle, physical health and psychological health.

This group meets 3 times per week for 3 hours each session; the program runs for approximately 8-12 weeks. Space is limited and patients must be assessed prior to starting group. If you are interested in learning more about behavioral health services, please give us a call: (608) 775 2287.

Call (608) 775-2287

Teen Skills Group

The Healthy Living Center's Teen Skills Group provides a safe, supportive environment for teens of various ethnicities, genders, orientations, social classes and abilities. Teens are empowered to learn and practice social, problem-solving, personal effectiveness and emotion regulation skills under the guidance of experienced Gundersen psychotherapists in a positive and structured environment.

Call (608) 775-3644

Health & Wellness Aftercare Group

Gundersen Behavioral Health offers a six-week program for patients recently discharged from our inpatient behavioral health unit.  The behavioral health specialists will help lead participants through safe exercises with the equipment available at the Healthy Living Center. Participants will gain confidence in a community fitness space and are provided a 12-week trial membership to the La Crosse Area YMCA to encourage physical activity and mental wellness on non-group days.

HEAT (Healthy Eating and Activity Together)

This six-week group helps adults wanting to manage their weight. The group, led by a behavioral health clinician, offers education on how to make sustainable and meaningful changes to diet, physical activity, and stress management. Participants are provided the option to attend in person at the Healthy Living Center or through WebEx on an online platform. An initial visit with a Behavioral health clinician is required before group enrollment. Cash payment options are accepted, or group services can be billed through insurance.   

Call (608) 775-2287

Physical activity and nutrition care

Diabetes prevention programming

The Y believes that all people should be able to live life to its fullest, healthiest potential. In the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program a trained lifestyle coach will lead a small group through a 12-month evidence-based program that encourages participants as they explore healthy eating, physical activity, and behavior changes.

Learn more

LIVESTRONG® at the Y

Participants in this 12-week group fitness program for adult cancer survivors work with staff to improve cardiovascular endurance; build muscle mass and strength; increase flexibility; and improve functional ability.

Learn more

Movin' and Improvin'

In one-hour sessions, participants with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and others medical concerns will find a safe, effective, medically-supervised exercise program that emphasizes aerobic endurance, strength training and flexibility. It can be a lifelong exercise program or a short-term fitness extension. To learn more or sign up, call Gundersen Exercise Physiology.

Call (608) 775-2955

Outpatient Physical Therapy

Gundersen Physical Therapy evaluates and treats injury or disease in the musculoskeletal system to help patients decrease pain and return to full movement and their best health. The Healthy Living Center offers a unique environment for patients where Gundersen Physical Therapy can appropriately guide patients into a community-based exercise program at the YMCA. Cash payments are accepted at the time of care, or services can be billed through your insurance. No referral is needed.

Call (608) 775-8600

Sports Physical Therapy

Gundersen Sports Physical Therapy offers a variety of services designed to help people of all fitness levels return to the activities they love. Services include: rehabilitation following an injury or surgery; Functional Movement Screen and corrective exercises; sport-specific conditioning; and return-to-activity guidelines. The goal is to help you perform at your best and connect you with resources for continued fitness and overall wellness. Patients can easily transition to an independent program either at home or the YMCA, connect with a personal trainer or move into community-based programming at the YMCA. Cash payments are accepted at the time of care, or services can be billed through your insurance. No referral is needed.

Call (608) 775-8600

Low Sodium Nutrition Therapy Class

The Low Sodium Nutrition Therapy class is a 90-minute, dietitian-led class. The registered dietitian provides participants with practical information on sodium recommendations, how to identify sources of sodium in their diet and how to put together balanced meals that meet their sodium goals. There will also be a cooking demonstration and opportunity to try different seasonings and flavors.

Learn More

Restore Your Core

Restore your core after your pregnancy in this 4-session class for individuals 6 weeks or more postpartum. Sessions take place on Wednesdays at 11am-12pm within the Healthy Living Center in La Crosse.

Learn more

Support groups

Diabetes Support Group

This monthly support group will include education, tips, recipes, success stories and more. The goal is to offer accountability, motivation, support and encouragement to help participants improve or maintain their quality of life. We cannot stop improving diabetes care--diabetes is the fastest growing disease today! Our hope is to increase confidence levels to manage diabetes among those who attend as well as give those living with the condition hope and increased knowledge.

Learn more

General Cancer Support Groups

Support groups offer the strength that comes from the power of human relationships and the ability of people to nurture and support one another. This group is open to adult cancer patients (18 and older) and their caregivers. It is a safe, confidential place to share feelings and experiences with others whose lives are affected by cancer. Contact Janette Dawson, SW, MS; Krista Pfaff, RN, BSN, OCN; Melinda Wickland, SW; and Tracy Hays, CSW with questions.

Greater La Crosse Area Stroke Club

The Greater La Crosse Area Stroke Club is open to stroke survivors, their families and caregivers. The club helps survivors cope with stroke-related issues and lead more meaningful and productive lives. For information from the American Stroke Association, call the Stroke Family Warmline at (888) 4STROKE.

Learn more

Search for support groups

View and register for support groups.

Find a support group

1900 South Ave.
La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 782-7300

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