Are you a member? The Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, slated to open in January 2015, began enrollment for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Health and Fitness Center program – including access to the fitness area inside the center – in August.
If you’ve not had a chance to stop in to the temporary office on North High Street in New Albany, you may not know what exactly membership entails.
General Manager John Paro of Integrated Wellness Partners, which is managing the fitness area and memberships, says all memberships are focused on instilling healthful habits and improving fitness and overall health.
“We start with a comprehensive health and fitness assessment, with a follow-up assessment in one year,” Paro says.
The assessments are key elements that make the center distinctive from other gyms or fitness centers. Ohio State professionals perform the tests, including a cardiovascular fitness test, advanced body composition screening, wellness biomarker blood test, comprehensive lifestyle assessment, flexibility and movement screen, and balance evaluation – in addition to a discussion of your personal health and wellness goals.
The body composition screening, particularly, is state-of-the-art. The Lunar iDXA is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry machine th
at is able to measure both bone-mineral density and body fat composition. The body composition scan and blood test are two critical elements that determine whether there are serious health issues that need to be addressed immediately, Paro says.
“We can do further blood work if testing indicates,” he says. “That’s really important stuff for figuring out … where you are today. … It kind of blows my mind how much information people are going to have (about their health) when they join the center.”
Upon completion of the assessments, you’ll be given a “prescription” for health.
“We want our members to be engaged and have a plan when they start with us – so after the assessment, you will receive an orientation to your personal fitness plan, our facility and technology to help you achieve your goals. You will also have access to our group exercise program included in your membership.”
Classes will likely include yoga, Zumba, Barre, boot camp-style programs, step, Pilates and water fitness at the center’s indoor pool. Among the amenities at the center are locker rooms with towel service, toiletries and lockers with digital locks. Child care, private training, massage and acupuncture will be available for purchase. Your workout information will be stored in a “wellness cloud” to help you keep track of your progress.
“It gives you motivation to keep moving,” Paro says.
All of these features are included in base Buckeye Wellness memberships. Those interested in more one-on-one specialized services can sign up for Buckeye Wellness Coaching plans. These offer programming and training targeted to your specific goals:
- -Healthy Heart: preventing heart disease and improving and maintaining heart health;
- -Healthy Weight: strategies for reaching and maintaining ideal weight;
- -Cancer Prevention/Recovery: steps in preventing types of cancers and how to maintain cancer recovery; and
- -Healthy Bones and Joints: strategies on how to avoid musculoskeletal injury and improve strength, endurance and physical activity based on one’s capabilities and limitations.
Buckeye Wellness Coaching participants also have access to support from a host of specialists, including registered dietitians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, exercise physiologists and fitness specialists.
One-time enrollment fees are $299 for an individual, $549 for a couple and $599 for a family. Memberships start at $89 monthly for an individual, $129 for a couple and $144 for a family. Membership is open to the general public, but city of New Albany residents get a 75 percent discount on enrollment fees through Sept. 30.
For more information, contact Paro at 614-685-1820 or john.paro@osumc.edu or visit the office in New Albany at 68 N. High St., Building E, Ste. 104, where you can ask questions and view the types of equipment that will be available at the center.
“It’s not just your standard treadmill,” Paro says. “It’s going to track your distance and your calories burned. … Outside of that, it’s always great for people to come over and learn more in person about who we are and what we’re all about.”
Lisa Aurand is editor of Healthy New Albany Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
