Has the January glow of your healthy resolutions for the new year dimmed? You’re not alone. Many people who decide they are going to get healthier, become more fit, or look better by the time warm weather comes fail when they do it alone. That’s when WK Fitness & Wellness Centers make good sense.
The medical fitness philosophy is ingrained in the mission of WK Fitness & Wellness Centers. That means the idea of good health is not just a building, not just a business but a true mission. “It’s important for anyone who needs or wants to exercise or improve wellness to know we’re not just another gym,” said Ken Paulovich, RN, director of WK’s wellness centers.
Paulovich points out that all members have access to specially trained staff, all degreed in exercise science. And because the centers have two clinical components (cardiac rehab and pulmonary rehab), the centers are associated with physicians and nurses as well. Anyone who is overweight may have underlying health issues that will show up during exercise. So the access to professional staff with clinical knowledge is important – not to mention the proximity to a hospital in the event of a health emergency while exercising.
For people who have diagnosed health conditions, Type 2 diabetes for instance, will definitely want to exercise at a medical fitness location. “We have a health questionnaire that helps us to determine how we can best help someone, including whether they may need to have clearance from their physician,” Paulovich said. “And sometimes, we need to know what kind of medications a person is taking before we set goals for members. If someone is on a beta blocker, they may not be able to reach the specific target heart rate for their age and weight.” With WK Fitness & Wellness Centers, a person joins one of the hospital-based centers but has membership privileges at all four. So if there is a class at one that is a better time than at their preferred location, they can attend the one that’s most convenient.
“We are member-focused,” Paulovich said. “That’s why we offer so many services and amenities you just don’t find in the for-profit locations.” Registered dietitians offer members-only programs at each location. Towel service is provided at no charge. Routine classes are offered at no charge. And, of course, there are the saltwater pools for personal or class exercise. Best of all, there are no long-term contracts. Everything is month-to-month. “Our centers are very welcoming,” Paulovich said. “Many members say they enjoy the social aspect of exercising and that makes the commitment to exercise easier to maintain. If a regular member’s attendance pattern changes, we’ll contact you. We want to see you!” The new website, wkfitness.com, offers complete information about the centers, including class schedules. Check it out and see what’s happening – that’s when you will realize that at WK Fitness & Wellness Centers, membership certainly has its privileges. •
MyPlate: Nutrition Education
Presented by Alicia Smith, RD, LDN, CDE
Thursday, April 10, noon WK Bossier Health Center 2400 Hospital Drive, Auditorium Do you know how to balance calories and still get all the nutrients you need? Find out how to “rate your plate” by utilizing the USDA nutrition guide MyPlate. Alicia Smith, RD, LDN, CDE, will also discuss proper portion sizes and prediabetes.
COST: $10, includes glucose screening
