Photos by Sarah Sole
Over the last few years, an increasingly common topic of conversation within mainstream fitness circles is the idea, and subsequent execution, of personalized fitness.
Related: Forward Motion at the Heit Center
Personalized fitness entails focusing on and centralizing fitness regimens and advice to specific individuals to meet their specific needs.
“I believe that personalized health begins by assessing the member’s baseline of health and fitness. Without proper assessment, health and fitness prescriptions can’t be personalized,” says John Paro, general manager of Integrated Wellness Partners. “It is also important to determine the individual needs and goals of each member, as this is paramount in being able to provide a personalized plan.”
Integrated Wellness Partners manages the fitness center at the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, which is deeply dedicated to personalized health and fitness.
The process, while easy to summarize, is complicated to implement, Paro says.
“All of our members receive an assessment where a tremendous amount of information is acquired,” Paro says. “Members receive a body composition measurement using the most accurate state of the art scan available: DEXA scan.”
A DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan measures bone mineral density.
“Next, the cardiovascular fitness test is performed to determine maximum heart rate. The Functional Movement Screen is completed to discover tightness, imbalances and weakness throughout the body that could lead to injury. Next, the Y-balance test is performed to measure the member’s balance and pinpoint any dominance,” Paro says. “Lastly, the finger stick is assessed for metabolic health.”
And if you thought the testing was rigorous and detailed, the subsequent fitness plan may be even more so. It is planned in-depth and fine-tuned for the best possible results.
“After the assessment, we can provide a personalized exercise prescription on a Technogym wellness key that will lead the member from one piece of equipment to the next, providing information such as equipment seat and pad adjustments, sets, repetitions and speed of movement. The information is tracked on the key and all of the workout information is uploaded to a wellness cloud. This cloud can be accessed through a portal so that each member can track their progress,” Paro says. “This has proven to be valuable technology as it allows for greater self-efficacy and confidence, and gives members a plan when they come to the center. It is no longer necessary to figure out what to do or to purchase a personal training package just to get started.”
Wellness coaching can take things a step further for those who seek additional support in their quest for fitness. The Heit Center offers interested members access to a dietitian, an exercise physiologist, physical therapists and more, says Paro. It also emphasizes getting to know patients on an individual level to learn their motivations, another key step in personalizing fitness plans.
“Finding out what will get people into the center, from social interactions to education and, of course, exercising, is our priority,” Paro says. “Furthermore, by utilizing our Technogym equipment, we are able to decrease some barriers for people. Providing a plan for our members in a safe and supportive environment allows our members to have decreased barriers to their success.”
The fitness part of the center has been open since December, and staff have already had members swear to the effectiveness of the system, Paro says.
“We have had several members let us know that they have never felt so comfortable at a fitness center before, and others stated that they have never been as consistent with exercise as they are now,” he says.
David Allen is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
