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The primary goal of Staying Well at Grinnell is to provide on-going programs and special
wellness events to Grinnell College employees. Programs tend to be oriented toward
physical activity with the ulitmate goal of physical health and fitness. Staying Well
strives to accommodate the needs of as many employees as possible; hence, programs
are constantly changing. Please consider joining the Wellness Listserve for the most
up-to-date information. (Send an email to
wellness-join@lyris.grinnell.edu.) Check the MEMO and/or Laurel Leaf for
announcements and the college calendar for specific days and times.
On-going programs offered by Staying Well at Grinnell
typically begin the second week of
fall semester, pause during academic calendar breaks, and end the week of Spring
Semester finals. Some on-going programs are divided into six- or eight-week sessions.
Please refer to the Staying Well at Grinnell Participation Policy to learn who is eligible to
participate in wellness programs.
Special programs, offered once a semester, once a year, every other year, or as
needed, are often the result of a joint effort between Staying Well at Grinnell, Office of
Human Resources, Benefits, Student Affairs, and/or the Office of the President.
On-Going Programs, 2006-2007
WELLNESS LISTSERVE
Stay informed of all Staying Well at Grinnell activities, new programs, cancellations,
etc. Receive weekly postings of the HOPE Health Tip of the Week and other wellness
information. To join the listserve, send an email to wellness-join@lyris.grinnell.edu.
RELEASE TIME
Regular and full time employees will be paid up to 1 hour/week for time taken off to
participate in administrative approved Staying Well programs during working hours.
(Individual employees must obtain approval from supervising administrator.)
OFF CAMPUS WELLNESS FEE REIMBURSEMENT
Staying Well will pay 50% of the fees for approved off campus Staying Well
programs up to $150 per fiscal year for all regular and term employees. These figures
are subject to budget constraints. Send a
completed FORM A
to the wellness director to gain approval for all new programs.
NEW! WALK/JOG/RUN/BIKE
Anyone interested in walking, jogging, or running with a partner or group, please show
up outside the Athletic & Fitness Center at noon or soon after, Monday through Friday. (This
program does not have a leader and has no minimum or maximum number of
participants.)
A variation along this theme...2nd Saturdays Walk/Run/Bike
Sunset and 8th, just south of the High School, 9:00 a.m.
Don’t miss this series of monthly events celebrating the Grinnell Area Recreational Trail.
Choose between the 5k run/walk or a 5k, 10k, or 20k bike ride. Registration begins at
8:15 a.m. All events start at 9 a.m. Helmets are required for cyclists. The entry fee is
$5 for adults, $3 for entrants under 18 and children under 5 are free.
2nd Saturdays is hosted by Imagine Grinnell. All proceeds go to making the bike trail
longer! For more information, please contact Rob Clower at (641) 236-6311
or imaginegrinnell@iowatelecom.net.
SPARKPEOPLE.COM
SparkPeople.com is an online diet/fitness program: exercise, nutrition, weight
loss/gain, and any other goals you want to work into a wellness program designed
just for you. There¹s a load of information on the site, e.g. recipes, exercises, diet
suggestions. What¹s even better is that your membership is FREE! For a free ³tour² of
the program, go to: http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/flashdemo.asp
. Please check the program
out and see how it might fit your wellness needs.
ALSO! SPARKPEOPLE.COM GRINNELL COLLEGE TEAM
If SparkPeople.com works for you, consider joining the Grinnell College
SPARKPEOPLE.COM TEAM. Obtain goals, get fit, eat nutritiously, or simply log in and
earn points for your team! To join the team, you must be a member first and then
follow the links from the Spark Points tab.
NEW! LEARN TO SAIL! Sunday, 1:30-4:30 pm, Sept. 10
Rock Creek Lake
Learn to sail with GORP Director, Dave Zeiss. Workshop can serve as a prerequisite
for future GORP sailing adventures. Sign up at Rosenfield Information Desk. Limit: 4.
Fee of $2 due at signup. Any questions, call Dave Zeiss, x3816 or Zeiss@grinnell.edu.
NOONTIME CLIMBING Noon-1 pm, T/TH, Sept. 12 & 14 Climbing Wall, PEC
Try climbing for the first time or brush up on skills on the GORP Climbing Wall with Dave
Zeiss, GORP Director. This informal class (2 meetings) will introduce you to basic
climbing technique and qualify you for participation in GORP Open Climbs. Sign up at
the Rosenfield Information Desk. Limit of 6. Fee: $10 at signup. Any questions, call
Dave Zeiss, x3816 or Zeiss@grinnell.edu.
NOONTIME BASKETBALL M/W/F 12-1 pm Aux. gym of Athletic & Fitness Center
Come join the fun during thenoon hour. Full court, 5 on 5 basketball. No experience
necessary.
SWIMMING POOL
Lap swim when lifeguard is on duty. Pool hours posted and available at the
Equipment Cage (x3834), Main Office of the PEC, and Grinnell College web site.
WEIGHT and CARDIO TRAINING ROOMS
Check out the new Fitness Center on 10th Avenue and the small weight room in the
PEC for your aerobic and strength training options. The small weight room is open
whenever the PEC is open. Hours for the Fitness Center are available at the Equipment
Cage (x3834), Main Office of the PEC, and the Grinnell College web site.
INTRODUCTION TO THE FITNESS CENTER
This program is for those who would like to learn how to use the Fitness Center.
Fitness Center procedures, safety, and some basic lifting technique will be covered.
Contact Jennifer Jacobsen at jacobsen@grinnell.edu if you would like to participate in this program.
Grinnell Aikido
Grinnell Aikido is an organization for staff, faculty and students of Grinnell College.
The group is an affiliate dojo of the University of Iowa Aikikai, and sponsored by the
Freeman Foundation, SGA, and the Grinnell College Wellness Program. Instruction is
provided by Jackie Brown [brownj], Charles Cunningham [cunningh], and Joyce Stern
[sternjm]. Occasionally we have guest instructors from members of the University of
Iowa Aikikai. Practices are held in the Mat Room of the PEC on Sunday, 2-3 p.m. and
Thursday, 12-1 p.m. Fees are optional--only necessary if people want to become
members of the national organization and count hours toward testing or want to buy a
'gi' (white martial arts outfit.)
Many wellness programs are offered due to the combined efforts of
Staying Well at Grinnell, Human Resources, the Health Clinic, Student Affairs,
and the Office of the President.
CPR/FIRST AID
Human Resources offers a CPR/First Aid course at no cost to
employees whose job description requires these skills. These courses are offered once or
twice per year during work hours.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage therapy has been shown to be a very useful tool for stress management. Isn't it
great that if feels so good, too? Student Services will occasionally arrange for a massage
therapist to come to campus for students and employees. If a group of employees would
like to arrange for a massage therapist to come for an extra special session just for them
at a time when they need it most, contact Jennifer Jacobsen, jacobsen@grinnell.edu.
FUN AND HEALTHY COOKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Chef Scott Turley prepares a variety of healthy delights for your holiday pleasure.
Employees are welcome to visit during their lunch hour to sample these tasty and
tempting treats. Recipes are available. Offered on a special day in December from 12-2 PM at Grinnell
House, 1011 Park Street.
Healthy Cooking
PRESENTATIONS ON WELLNESS TOPICS
You can have someone present to your group on a topic of your choice. Presentations given in the past include: stress management, women's health and exercise, relaxation training, diabetes.
BLOOD SCREEN
Every other year (February, 2007, will be our next screen) Staying Well at Grinnell
offers a free blood screen to all employees, retirees, and their spouses/domestic
partners. The blood screen includes tests for liver function, kidney function,
electrolytes, total lipid panel including cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, cardiac risk
ratio, and glucose. Thyroid stimulating hormone tests (TSH) and hemocult tests (to
test for colon cancer) are sold to those who request them for $22 and $9, respectively.
The blood screen also offers a Health Risk Appraisal. The Appraisal involves
completing a questionnaire that is evaluated by a health care professional. Results
are sent to you at home in the form of a 12 page report. The cost of this appraisal
is $15. If you complete the appraisal on line, it's just $10.
Additional or alternative tests may be requested if (1) your physician orders the test
through GRMC and (2) you contact GRMC Fitness Center at 236-2999 to confirm you
have requested the test. If you have any questions about additional or alternative
tests, please contact 236-2999.
Blood pressure is taken at no extra charge. Refreshments are provided.
This year a mass E-mailing with full instructions on how to register was sent
to all employees on Jan. 18, 2007.
Blood Screen Results for 2007
Number of participants: 422
Number of participants with elevated total cholesterol values and elevated total
cholesterol to HDL cholesterol values: 54 (13%) DOWN from
207 (46%) in 2005!
Number of participants with elevated triglyceride values: 84 (20%)
DOWN from 106 (28%) in 2005!
National average: 55%
Number of participants with elevated blood glucose levels, possibly an early sign of
diabetes: 49 (12%) DOWN from 61 (14%) in 2005!
The numbers are looking better this year, but we are cautioned by Grinnell Regional
Medical Center that these are only a few risk factors for cardiovascular disease; other
risk factors include smoking, stress, family history, age, sex, race, and sedentary
lifestyle. So don't stop living that healthy lifestyle just yet!
If you haven't shared your personal Blood Screen results with your physician, please
do so at your next annual checkup or sooner if recommended in your report.
For general updates on any Staying Well program, please recheck this website, look for information published in the Campus MEMO or Laurel Leaf,
or contact
Jennifer Jacobsen, jacobsen@grinnell.edu. For the most current wellness information and announcements, join the wellness listserve by sending an e-mail to wellness-join@lyris.grinnell.edu.
Enjoy wellness!
NOTE: It is recommended that everyone consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.
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