Summer Recap I: FLIP at Dartmouth

A fit and healthy lifestyle gives you increased flexibility, energy, and strength. That's enough to make me do flips!

Establishing the Fitness and Lifestyle Improvement Program, or FLIP, at Dartmouth College was part of my first job in the U.S. My role was to create a fitness program for employees, students and the community in Hanover. Dartmouth had become a co-educational institution about 8 years before my arrival and the female students were calling for aerobics (it was the 80s after all!). Starting with just me as an instructor and then building to four instructors, we offered aerobics and stretch and tone in the gym and the “White Church”.

Dartmouth Gymnasium image from Lavallee/Brensinger Architects


On our visit to New Hampshire for the Dartmouth reunion (we have proud members of Class of '70 and '05 in the family), I was happy to learn that FLIP is alive, well, and growing. Many classes are still held in the same brick gym, but with a bright, modern interior thanks to a recent renovation. My daughter and I checked in with current director Hugh Mellert for a bit of "then and now".

Mr. Mellert filled us in on the growth and changes of FLIP over the past 20-odd years. The program now includes over 54 classes ranging from high-energy spinning classes to slow, soulful yoga and courses like nutrition and self-defense. The demand for courses offered has changed through the years. Whereas 8 Step Aerobics classes would fill quickly in previous decades, now 2 seem to suffice. Following what seems to be a national trend in popularity, yoga and spinning classes are now plentiful.

Founder Nancy Meier and Current Director

Hugh Mellert: the then and now of FLIP

About 1/4 of FLIP participants are staff and another 1/4 are community members. The remaining half is made up of students who can receive one credit for participation in FLIP. The recently upgraded fitness facilities are state of the art while still being housed in the original building.

Walking through the big arched doors and up the ancient staircase felt quite the same as it did in the early 80s, except instead of heading to class with my daughter in utero, there she was last week at my side, excitedly telling me "We should get a picture of this for the blog!".

Change and continuity engaged in their endless dance: Hats off to FLIP!