HOSPITALS FOCUSING ON HEALTH CLUB BENEFITS

A relationship with a health care institution is the future of health clubs, says Bill Logan, Fitness & Wellness coordinator at St. Francis Medical Center.

Approximately 10 percent of health clubs nationwide now are affiliated with hospitals.

"It's really exploded in the last two to three years," Logan said.

St. Francis purchased Universal Health & Fitness (previously Universal Physique Fitness & Racquet Center) last summer. The two had previously cooperated on joint efforts such as screening and training for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, so a partnership was a natural next step, according to Doug Friese, Universal founder and manager.

"Bringing the two together, we can offer a better product to the community," says Friese.

Representatives at St. Francis knew they wanted a health club and decided that purchasing one would make the most sense. They could purchase the existing facility and equipment and take advantage of the club's professional management team.

"The one thing we knew is that Doug had good experience in the fitness business and a good business head," Logan said. "So, we knew really the most important thing was to buy Doug."

One of the reasons St. Francis wanted a health club was to provide a continuum of exercise for rehab patients, to give them a place to keep up with their healthy lifestyle after leaving the hospital. Cardiac rehab patients can continue with their exercise program and still get the benefit of rehab personnel, who visit the club a few evenings a week. Bio-Metrics participants can transfer to Universal after first six weeks to continue their program emphasizing fitness and diet.

To become more community oriented, Universal has expanded their programs to include children and seniors. Some of the new programs which Universal added are Vitality (for those over 55), a self-defense class called Safe & Fit and a kids activity program which meets at 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

A Cardio Theater System was installed. It equips cardiovascular equipment with headphones, allowing the person who is training to listen to music or watch TV. The effect is to cut down on the outside noise level and improve focus. More treadmills, step machines and resistance equipment also have been added.

Preventive programs such as risk appraisals, monitoring and therapeutic exercise for special medical populations were also added.

"With managed care, it's changed the emphasis," Logan said. If you can keep people healthy, it really cuts down the cost of health care."

The Healthcare Forum Journal estimates that by emphasizing disease prevention through fitness and wellness services, Americans can reduce their annual health care costs by approximately $200 billion.

After several months of remodeling, Universal hosted its grand re-opening all last week. A mini racquetball tournament was held on Tuesday. On Wednesday, "Senior Day" included a yoga demonstration. Thursday was corporate day, honoring corporate membership accounts. One business won free one-month memberships for all of its employees. In addition, health screenings, fitness demonstrations, informational booths and membership specials were featured throughout the week.

Some of the fitness demonstrations included karate, spinning (a group workout which involves exercising on stationary bicycles), massage, athletic testing and aerobic demonstrations. Refreshments and door prizes were given out.

Southeast Missouri Hospital has had an interest in the wellness and fitness of the community for 15 years, even before it was popular, according to Karen Hendrickson, assistant administrator of Patient Care.

Southeast opened Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson last summer with an emphasis on maintenance of health. Unlike Universal Health & Fitness, Main Street is completely staffed by hospital employees.

"We are not only in the business of sick care, we are in the business of health care," Hendrickson says.

The fitness center was purchased more for logistical reasons than anything else. Previously, Southeast had programs scattered all across the community and had to rent out facilities, working around available time frames. Purchasing a club allowed the hospital to put its programs in one place, providing more flexibility with scheduling.

Main Street's focus is on family fitness. Children can participate in programs such as Romp 'N Stomp or Fit Kids while their parents work out. Heart Walkers was developed for seniors to keep track of how often they walk. Families can exercise together in one place.

"It's family involvement," says Debbie Leone, Fitness & Wellness coordinator, "not just dropping children off and feeling bad they're (parents) not with them."

In addition, Main Street offers several educational programs covering various topics, including latch-key kids, first aid, self-defense for women, back care, and stress management.

Southeast Hospital continues to provide a number of programs in Cape Girardeau County such as Kids Bee Fit at West Park Mall, which gives parents time to shop while their children exercise.