Welcome to the Helen M. Galvin Health and Fitness Center & the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program
Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the Helen M. Galvin Health and Fitness Center and the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program provide a place for people with physical disabilities to reach their fullest potential through fitness, and recreational and competitive sports.
Fitness
Opened in 1996, the Galvin Center for Health and Fitness was made possible by a private donation from the Helen M. Galvin Charitable Trust. The Galvin Center for Health and Fitness is a 4,000 square foot facility specifically created for people with physical disabilities. Its purpose is to provide an arena for individuals of all ages, backgrounds and levels of disability to develop their physical potential.
Guidance and Support
The Galvin Health and Fitness Center provides a comprehensive range of commercial quality strength and conditioning equipment, specialized fitness and educational classes and expert guidance and support to enable people to reach their personal fitness goals, whether it's to improve one's aerobic conditioning, build strength, or train for athletic competition.
Personal exercise programs are specially designed for each participant during their first visit. Members benefit from our experienced fitness staff who are on-hand to answer questions and help provide the skills and knowledge to achieve one's goals.
Additionally, staff are available each day during Assisted Hours for members requiring help with exercise equipment.
Click here for more on the services and classes offered at the RIC Galving Fitness Center.
Sports
If your interest is in serious athletic competition, looking for new ways to stay active, or just want to get out, meet people and explore something new, the Wirtz Sports Program has something for everyone. A selection of sports and recreational activities is available to people with disabilities of all ages and levels of ability.
The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) was established in 1982 with a gift from the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz family. Since that time, through continued generous philanthropy, The Wirtz Sports Program is able to provide a year-round, cross-disability sports and recreation program free of charge to all participants.
Sports for All Ages and Abilities
A wide selection of activities are offered for youth and adults with physical disabilities. Youth programs include the non-competitive, recreational Caring for Kids Program that offers children ages 7-17 year-round opportunities in activities such as karate, yoga, dance, and judo as well as seasonal camps. Visit Caring for Kids for more information.
Additionally, there Wirtz Sports has a growing Junior Competitive Program. Offered in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, youth ages 6-17 can develop their competitive skills in wheelchair basketball and softball, and track and field.
Adult sport opportunities are offered in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair softball, wheelchair rugby, cycling, road racing, power soccer, boccia, sled hockey, golf, and winter skiing. For more on each sport, visit the Sports Program section.