Group Strength Express

NOTE: Please refer to the schedule for summer 2013 Group Strength Express classes at the bottom of this web page.

Get Money Back for Regular Exercise

Participate in an eight-week group strength class and get the entire cost of the class returned to you.

Group Strength Express is open to employees who are covered by the UPlan Medical Program. UPlan-covered spouses or same-sex domestic partners are not eligible to participate in Group Strength Express sponsored by the Wellness Program.

Attend 13 of the 16 classes, complete the pre- and post-course fitness assessment, and get the $199 cost of the course returned to you.

About Group Strength Express

The Group Strength Express class is offered through the University's Department of Recreational Sports. With Group Strength Express, you will:

• meet for 45 minutes, twice a week, for eight weeks
• strengthen your muscles, enhance your cardiovascular fitness, and learn the basics of a balanced exercise program
• receive individual attention from a certified personal trainer
• work out in a small group (maximum class size: eight) at University Rec Sports facilities

You do not need to be a member of the University fitness centers (Minneapolis Rec Center or St. Paul Gym) to participate in this class. You will need to present a U Card to enter the facility.

How to Enroll in Group Strength Express

Step 1. Read the introductory letter about Group Strength Express (pdf)

Step 2. Complete a Health History Questionnaire (pdf)

Step 3. Mail via campus or U.S. mail the completed Health History Questionnaire to:

Sarah Mork, Fitness Program Assistant
Department of Recreational Sports
1900 University Ave. S.E. - 108 Cooke Hall
University of Minnesota - East Bank
Minneapolis, MN 55455

IMPORTANT: The questionnaire must arrive by U.S. mail at the above address by Wednesday, May 22, 2013.

To protect the health information and privacy of registrants, questionnaires delivered in-person, by fax, or via email will not be accepted.

The Health History Questionnaire requests prospective participants to indicate which of the scheduled classes are the top three preferred classes based on the date, time, and location of the class being offered. See schedule below.

Step 4. Create an account to receive your reimbursement (opens new window).

You must have an online account to receive your reimbursement. To set up the online account you will need to provide:

• Seven-digit U of M employee ID number
• Routing number of your financial institution and checking/savings account number (found on a check or deposit slip)
• As a UPlan member, you may be reimbursed for this class just one time while actively employed by the University

Group Strength Express: The Basics

Note: If you have been accepted for participation in Group Strength Express a representative from the Department of Recreational Sports will contact you before the pre-meetings and the initial class get underway.

Starting the Class

• Your personal trainer will contact you to arrange a one-on-one meeting to discuss your fitness goals and the results of a fitness pre-class assessment.
• You will pay $199 for the class with a credit card, check, or in cash on the day of your one-on-one meeting. The $199 fee will not be refunded if you are not able to complete the class.

During the Eight-week Class

• You will attend a 45 minute class, twice a week, to build strength and endurance. Remember to bring your U Card every time as you will need your card to enter the facility.

Completing the Class and Getting Your Reimbursement

• Meet with your personal trainer one-on-one to complete a post-class fitness assessment and evaluate the course.
• After completing the pre-and post-assessments and attending 13 of the 16 weekly classes, your $199 reimbursement will be electronically deposited into your checking/savings account within six weeks of course completion. This is provided that you have met all the attendance requirements for the course.

Earn wellness points for Group Strength Express with Wellness My Way

When you successfully complete Group Strength Express and are financially reimbursed for your effort you may want to also earn 50 wellness points for your participation in the program. How? Check out Wellness My Way, one of the offerings included in the Wellness Points Bank. Wellness My Way is a self-directed approach for UPlan members to accomplish a personal wellness goal. Group Strength Express qualifies as one of the options UPlan members have to keep fit and earn wellness points when they enroll in Wellness My Way.  

Group Strength Express Schedule – Summer 2013

NOTE: Classes begin on Monday, June 10, at the St. Paul Gym and Tuesday, June 11, at the Minneapolis Rec Center. Prior to the start of the summer classes, participants are asked to attend a pre-class meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, June 5, for St Paul Gym sessions and on Thursday, June 6, for Minneapolis Rec Center sessions. You must also have a pre-class fitness assessment, which will take place the last week of May and first week of June. The registration deadline for these sessions is Wednesday, May 22. If you have questions, contact Fitness Program Assistant Sarah Mork at morkx069@umn.edu.

If you have been accepted for participation in Group Strength Express a representative from the Department of Recreational Sports will contact you before the pre-meetings and the initial class get underway.