
A Gundersen Health System and La Crosse Area Family YMCA collaboration for a healthier, stronger community.
Patient hours
(by appt only)
Phone numbers
Phone: (608) 775-4930
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!
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.
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 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.
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. To learn more, contact your child's primary care provider or call us to request information by phone.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
View and register for support groups.