New equipment, adaptive sports coming to GV Recreation & Wellness

New equipment, inclusive workout spaces and expanded adaptive sports opportunities are just a few updates that the community can expect to see in Grand Valley’s Recreation Center in 2025.

The center has seen major growth since its 2017 expansion, with over 400,000 visits in 2024. 

The Recreation & Wellness team said that removing barriers to fitness and creating accessible opportunities is key to continuing to serve the GVSU community. 

“There are already so many barriers for people to just walk into this building,” said Aaron Mowen, director of Recreation & Wellness. “We’re trying to break down those barriers so that once they’re here, it’s easy to keep going.” 

Here are some changes and updates that Recreation Center attendees can expect to see throughout 2025.

New Equipment

While students were away for winter break, the Recreation Center kicked off the first of a three-phase equipment update that included installing over 80 new pieces of equipment for users.

New pieces of equipment include treadmills, ellipticals and bikes are all from the company Technogym . When used with the partner app, which users can download by scanning the QR codes on new equipment, users can view machine availability, track their workouts and progress and communicate with professional coaches and instructors. Treadmills, bikes and ellipticals feature embedded trainer-led sessions, guided workouts and access to entertainment options like Netflix, Prime Video and streaming TV.

Recreation & Wellness staff made multiple visits to universities and manufacturers to ensure the equipment chosen would serve the GVSU community well for years to come. “We chose Technogym equipment over other competitors because of its unparalleled combination of innovation, durability and user-centric design,” said Peter Bryant, assistant athletic director for Facility & Event Operations. “The ease of use and advanced mobile app features enhance the overall experience for students, faculty and staff.”

Other facility highlights:

• A newly created inclusive workout space that includes a state-of-the-art REV Pulley, a first-of-its-kind for testing and precision training by users at all levels. This new area features Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant equipment.
• A personal fitness area at the upper track level that includes a multifunctional rack, accessories and benches for circuit training and private (guided) workouts.
• The remaining two phases of the Recreation Center update will focus on the strength and functional fitness areas of the facility, which have seen a drastic increase in popularity of the past couple of years. These phases will take place through 2025.

Intramural Adaptive Sports

GVSU’s adaptive intramural sports opportunities are growing in 2025. Participants can expect to see more frequent sessions and adaptive versions of new sports, like pickleball. 

Grand Valley’s intramural sports coordinator Dakota Francoeur said that it’s her hope for adaptive sports to be folded into the rest of their programming. “Adaptive sports are just another part of what intramural sports are," Francoeur said. "We hope they’re offered just as frequently and that they’re a regular piece of everything we’re doing.”

Expanded programming will include more frequent opportunities for students of all abilities to participate in sports like wheelchair basketball, goal ball, seated volleyball, tennis, pickleball and flag football. Intramural sports will also introduce a 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball league for the first time in winter 2025. More information and sign-ups can be found on the Intramural Sports website . 

While adaptive sports give people with disabilities the chance to play their favorite sports, Francoeur said it’s also an opportunity for students of all abilities to learn and play together.

“A lot of people look at adaptive sports as something they can’t do because they don't have a disability,” noted Francoeur. “We want to make an inclusive environment for the students that need it, but also a space to educate those that don't.”

Adaptive Climbing

With specialized training and new equipment, the GVSU Climbing Center will soon be able to welcome people who have a range of physical disabilities for climbing. 

“We’re seeing more organizations and groups advocating for climbing as a sport,” explained Joe Bitely, assistant director of Recreation & Wellness. The Climbing Center already had the capabilities to assist visually impaired climbers and host sensory-friendly events.

Paradox Sports, an organization that specializes in creating adaptive climbing opportunities for those with disabilities, visited the Climbing Center for a two-day training through their Adaptive Climbing Initiative to teach Recreation & Wellness staff how to provide this opportunity to the GVSU community. 

“There's a lot of opportunity for partnerships across campus, both academic and non-academic, and even with other groups in the community to expand this,” explained Bitely. A faculty member and student from GVSU’s Recreational Therapy program participated in the Paradox Sports training, and Bitely said he hopes to expand student involvement to increase experiential learning opportunities. 

Following the initial training, Recreation & Wellness staff has been working to acquire the necessary equipment to accommodate individuals with physical disabilities during open climb hours, and hope to offer this to the community by mid to late 2025.

See the latest updates on GVSU’s Recreation Center and Recreation & Wellness websites.