Wellness Center Aquatics

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Aquatics Center

OXBOW RENOVATIONS: Starting April 8, 2024, the main locker rooms, along with the lap pool, hot tub and dry sauna at the Oxbow location, will be closed for renovation. Our anticipated reopening is fall 2024.

  • Lockers: additional lockers are available in the main lobby and locker rooms near the cycling studio.
  • Showers: additional showers are available in family changing rooms and locker rooms near the cycling studio.
  • Aquatics: most of our activities have moved to the warm water pool. See our class schedules for full details. With any questions, please stop by the front desk. We’re happy to help!

The Sanford Wellness Center is proud to offer a nationally acclaimed aquatics program for fitness and family fun.

Our outstanding facilities include warm water spas, saline-based pools, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and kids’ areas.

Sanford Wellness Center – 49th & Oxbow

Our aquatic center includes a:

  • 25-yard saline-based pool (84 degrees)
  • Warm water pool (93 degrees)
  • Saline-based spa
  • Dry sauna
Sanford Wellness Center – Tea-Ellis

This location offers a:

  • Pool with a 15-yard lap lane, waterslide and zero-depth area (83 degrees)
  • Saline-based spa
  • Dry sauna
  • Steam room

Open Swim/Lap Schedules

Whether you’re looking to hit the water for exercise, therapeutic purposes or just for fun, we have the pool, spa or aquatic class for you


Adaptive Programming

For special populations, adaptive programs at the Sanford Wellness Center offer a fun, safe experience in the water or at our performance center.

Our programs include:

  • Adaptive Aquatics. Designed to help your child overcome a fear of the water, increase strength and balance or improve dexterity and fine motor skills. Students will also complete the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program.
  • Adaptive Personal Fitness. Students work with a personal trainer at the gym for cardio and strength training.
  • Water Buddy Exercise. An aerobics class where our adult members buddy up with a student. The class incorporates cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, range of motion, endurance, flexibility and balance.
  • Social fitness groups. This seasonal program improves social and gross motor skills through physical and team activities with peers in the gym.

Stop by our front desk or call (605) 328-1600 to sign up or learn more.

FAQs

What makes our aquatics program special?

Why is water so beneficial?

  • Water programs are user friendly for people of varied health backgrounds.
  • Buoyancy of water allows for less stress on muscles and joints.
  • Water is an excellent medium to improve cardiovascular, strength and endurance.
  • Water is a great source for rehabilitation of injury.
  • Water is an excellent form of cross training for athletes.

What types of aquatics programming are offered for children?

  • Adaptive aquatics
  • Red Cross swimming lessons are offered to all ages (6 months to adult) and skill levels - included with your family membership.
  • Youth Swim Fall Program

Special pool parties are offered throughout the year. Celebrate your birthday, end of soccer season or other special events with our popular pool parties. Available to members and non members - call to schedule.

What types of aquatics programming are offered for adults?

  • Adult swimming lessons
  • Adult private swimming lessons
  • Individualized aquatic programs
  • Lap swimming
  • Masters Swim Program
  • Specialty classes (breast cancer survivor, arthritis, etc.)
  • Triathlon training
  • Varied formats of shallow and deep water exercise classes in the main pool
  • Varied formats of toning classes offered in the warm water pool

New participants should arrive at class 5 minutes early if possible. Please let the instructor know if you have any physical limitations. If your doctor or physical therapist has told you not to do certain exercises, please follow their instructions.

For more information or if you have questions about the Wellness Center or any of these classes, please call (605) 328-1600.

Wellness Center Menu

Aquatic Amenities

Use Warm Water for Toning and Therapeutic Purposes

Pool temperature is 92-94 degrees. Exercise in this pool is not aimed at aerobic conditioning, but for toning and therapeutic purposes. For aerobic conditioning in the water, please attend the classes in the main pool. New participants should arrive at class 5 minutes early if possible. Please let the instructor know if you have any physical limitations. If your doctor or physical therapist has told you not to do certain exercises, please follow their instructions.

Please see the warm water pool schedule for current classes and descriptions.

Relax Muscles and Relieve Aches and Pains

Looking for a way to melt some stress way? Sanford Wellness Center offers a dry sauna for you to come and relax in. The heat from the sauna also relaxes the muscles, relieving muscular aches and pains. It is a refreshing and revitalizing experience that heals both body and mind. You may stay in the sauna as long as you feel comfortable or you may choose to repeat a hot/cold cycle as often as you wish. Avoid using the sauna if you have a fever, and inflammatory disease, or are pregnant. You may want to consult your physician if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or asthma. Members must be 12 years old to use the sauna.

Some health benefits from using a sauna include:

  • Relief from the pain and stiffness of arthritis
  • Sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.
  • During a 10-20 minute session in a sauna your heart rate can increase by 50-70%.

Relax and Rejuvenate Your Muscles

As soon as you step inside our steam room, relaxation becomes the theme. Within minutes, warmth penetrates your body from head to toe, easing tired muscles and helping the cares of the day drift away. The warmth opens the pores of your skin, creating a flow of perspiration, which lifts out the impurities of everyday living. A spray or two of eucalyptus and enjoy the luxury of aromatherapy while steam bathing. You’ll feel rested, rejuvenated, and ready to get more out of life. Use our steam room daily for that get up and go! Steam is an excellent treatment for respiratory problems, such as chest congestions, bronchitis, laryngitis & sinusitis. Members must be 12 years old to use the steam room.

Some health benefits from using a steam room include:

  • Relief from arthritis
  • Sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body

Soothe Your Aches and Pains

The soothing solution to everyday aches and pains! Come in and relax in our 16-person whirlpool. The flow of the bubbles gently massages tender, aching and bruised area, relaxing and relieving all of those sore spots. Revives tired and strained muscles after physical exertion.

Here are a few of the benefits that a whirlpool provides:

  • Reduces stress: It is one of the main methods of alleviating tension and stress. A soak in whirlpool relaxes your muscles, reduces anxiety and stimulates endorphin production, which is a natural substance that promotes a sensation of relaxation.
  • Helps one sleep better: Your performance and activity is based on your ability to sleep at night. By soaking in a whirlpool at night, it will help alleviate tension and relax your body, making your body ready for a deep relaxing night of sleep.
  • Minimizes pain in the muscles and joints: Those who play sports or workout usually feel pain in the muscles arteries and joints. Using a whirlpool before or after playing help the veins dilate and keep the blood flowing better. The muscles and joints will be relaxed and less painful.

Recommended duration time in the whirlpool is 10-15 minutes. Avoid using the whirlpool if you are pregnant. You may want to consult your physician if you have heart disease or high blood pressure. Children must be 12 years of age to use the whirlpool.

Please note: The whirlpool at the Tea Ellis Location will be closed for cleaning every other Thursday from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm.