Testimony from Dr. Michael Finan

Published April 5, 2021

Dr. Finan shares his testimony.

This is why we are passionate about medical fitness! View this powerful testimony from Dr. Michael Finan, a member at the Singing River Healthplex. He shares how the services he received at our medical fitness center has improved his overall health and wellness. This is an experience he can share with his patients.

Healthplex Associates (HPA) consults with hospitals, health systems, foundations, and universities across the United States to create and manage clinically integrated fitness facilities. Healthplex Associates has developed unique programs to ensure the smooth transition from the clinical setting to the wellness center for people who need long term lifestyle management support for optimal health. HPA has achieved national leadership through innovation and our dedication to patients and clients.

Our combined staff has now served over 400 clients ranging from large hospitals to smaller, community based rural hospitals. We work exclusively with organizations ranging from healthcare systems, universities and foundations who are committed to a vision of improving the health and wellness of the community in which they serve.

Healthplex Associates has developed a unique, hands-on style to assisting and advising clients with an approach that stresses partnerships. We provide an array of services in the Medical Wellness Industry. These services include feasibility studies, audits of existing medical fitness centers and management. Fundamentally, we believe that true community health must include fitness/wellness services and because of our deep healthcare background (all of our principals have health care management or clinical backgrounds), our Healthplex team fully understands the client’s mission and the complexity of today’s healthcare environment.

The management team of Healthplex Associates is made up of some of the nation’s most experienced experts in the field of medically based fitness. Few management firms can boast of the experience in health care, clinical services, and operations of medically based fitness centers that HPA possesses.

Clinical Small Group Exercise Class

Published March 30, 2021

One of our recent highlights at Healthplex’s Mission Fitness has been our Clinical Small Group exercise class. Participants meet 5x/week with our Clinical Integration Coordinator, Zach Cavazos. One of the major benefits of the Clinical Small Group class is that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every participant trains to improve strength, endurance, cardiovascular performance, and balance throughout the week.

“What we admire about the class is the structure and innovative exercises incorporated into the class to improve on our weaknesses,” said Minnie Kikuchi. Zach Cavazos, the clinical lead of the program had this to say, “Guiding the class is my favorite part of the day. I enjoy getting close with the members not only as clients, but as friends.” We have learned many things from this program the past few months. Most importantly, we learned that we must put a focus on improving our health to give our immune systems the ability to stay healthy.

The class is exceeding our expectations in terms of benefits for the participants. For example, it has a huge value with a lot to offer in terms of the usual benefits of exercise. One aspect we didn’t anticipate is how the social aspect is playing such a huge part in maintaining good mental health. For example, many have noticed having an increasingly positive state of mind.

Webinar Series -Lunch Breaks with HPA- April 7th

Published March 16, 2021

HPA Webinar

You are invited to HPA’s Lunch Break Webinar Series. Join us for a 20-minute power briefing Wednesday April 7th at 12:00 P.M. EST. This month’s topic will cover ” How Medical Wellness Centers Can Provide Fitness Programming to Patient Populations”. Adam Hodges, General Manager of Anderson Health and Fitness Center, will be presenting. Adam has many years of experience in the Medical Wellness Industry. Join us, as Adam shares his knowledge on his award-winning Diabetes Prevention Program and other highly successful programs. Click on the following link to register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5896949554248204555

Indianapolis Healthplex – Rock Steady Boxing Program

Published March 15, 2021

Indianapolis Healthplex is excited to announce its partnership with Rock Steady Boxing. Rock Steady is a non-profit organization and program designed to help those fighting Parkinson’s Disease to maintain or improve their life. Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative movement disorder which can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech, and sensory function.

According to the Rock Steady Boxing Program, various studies in the 1980s and 1990s supported the notion that rigorous exercise, emphasizing gross motor movement, balance, core strength, and rhythm, could favorably impact mobility, stability, flexibility, posture, gait, and activities of daily living.

“Our clients attest, and academic institutions, such as University of Indianapolis and Butler University, are reporting and documenting the improved quality of life among our boxers. Discovery of a cure may be many years away but in the last seven years, there is evidence that progress is made in all stages of the disease by those participating in the RSB program,” (2020, Rock Steady Boxing, via website).

The IHP Fitness Director, Michael Clemens, is completing his training and certification as an instructor for Indianapolis Healthplex. Michael reports that, “the Rock Steady Boxing Training is intense, fun, and incredibly informative. We go into a lot of detail about Parkinson’s disease, research studies on exercise and its effect on Parkinson, training techniques, class design, and much more. We got the opportunity to speak with specialists from neuro doctors to physical therapists.” He continues, “I am incredibly excited to start this wonderful program. It will impact our community in such a positive way. We will be fighting back against Parkinson’s Disease.”

Membership Services Director Spotlight….Tyler Lowther

Published

Tyler Lowther is the newest addition to the Healthplex Fitness Center team at St. Barnabas. His role in the Bronx Community and the Healthplex will be a dual one. As the HFC’s Membership Service Director Tyler will help the hospital’s staff begin their journey in wellness. Tyler will also have a role as a personal trainer and will work with the Center’s Cabrini patients. The Cabrini Grant funds the wellness program and aims to combat chronic illnesses through exercise and nutrition. Tyler is personally committed to “give back” to members of the Bronx Community. He hopes to give the community access to life changing programs they are often left out of.

A native New Yorker, Tyler grew up in Brooklyn and was a competitive archer for over ten years. He was first introduced to archery while attending a youth summer camp in upstate New York. He fell in love with the sport at the age of 13 after participating in a weekend program for inner city kids taught by the Head Coach (also a Brooklynite) of Columbia University’s Varsity Archery Team. Tyler went on to win the first state national archery competition he entered in 2007, held in Nantasket Massachusetts. His stellar performances at the state level earned him a scholarship to Emmanuel College in Georgia, where he captained the varsity archery team for three years, leading them to a national silver medal in 2017 while earning his Bachelor’s of Science in Organizational Communication. Additionally, Tyler earned his personal training certification with the National Academy of Sports Science in 2019.

The sport of archery was Tyler’s introduction to the world of sports performance training. Archery taught him how to develop his mental and physical strength through dedicated training. In addition, it also instilled in him a passion and desire to give back which he is excited to put to practice at the Healthplex Fitness Center at St. Barnabas.

MRMC Wellness Center’s Transition: Focus on Health

Published

Member participates in outdoor fitness class at MRMC Wellness Center.

2020 made every fitness center re-evaluate their health and alter their regular exercise routines. The Matagorda Regional Medical Center facility was no exception. MRMC Wellness Center’s transition focuses on health, wellness, and safety. As the major wellness resource in our small community, we are a significant part of the community’s focus for improving overall wellness. We also serve as a place to catch up and socialize with friends. The COVID pandemic definitely put a damper on social gatherings and brick and mortar (face to face) group exercise/personal training.

Our south Texas county was one of the hardest hit with Covid infections and our Hospital was full for weeks with patients. It left our members and MRMC team missing one another and counting down the days until the facility could reopen. Throughout all the changes and losses, we count our daily blessings as we adjust and begin a new normal and continue to work on our overall health/wellness. Some of the changes we implemented at the MRMC Wellness Center’s facility were spacing equipment out, limiting total occupancy capacity, wearing masks, taking daily temperature readings, and adding additional cleaning/disinfecting regimens throughout the day.

Cabrini Grant-Healthplex Fitness Center Bronx, New York

Published February 25, 2021

The Healthplex team at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx is opening its doors! The members are participants of an innovative wellness program, made possible by the Cabrini Grant from the Mother Cabrini Foundation. What started as a virtual wellness offering, is turning into in-person training.

With the re-opening of the Center , the Healthplex team is meeting with roughly 60 participants on a weekly basis. The average age of participants in the program is 40 years old. The participants are being referred from multiple medical providers, with each having one, or multiple chronic conditions.

Lexis Beato, Fitness Professional at HFC, is meeting with a majority of participants, and is educating them on how to develop consistent, safe, and effective fitness routines. Patients who have never exercised in their lives, are coming into the Center on their off days and performing complex movements. For example, participants are able to perform squats, deadlifts, and even kettlebell swings, thanks to the guidance and cues Lexis is providing.

Many of the participants are forming new friendships. They are also seeing a dramatic increase in their self-esteem, energy levels, and motivation. For instance, participants are reporting that the changes in their mindset are affecting their home lives. In addition this is motivating them to seek out healthier alternatives to eat and drink. Many are encouraging their family members to make changes to their habits as well. The changes in the participants’ mental states have been so great that even our trainers are making notes of the changes. Healthplex is proud to be a part of this community effort that is being made possible by the Cabrini Grant.

Montage Wellness Centers Serve the Needs of California

Published

The Montage Wellness Centers in Marina and Salinas, CA have remained closed since the middle of July 2020. The closure is mandated by the State and County Health Departments as an infection control measure for COVID19. Keeping with our mission, “to serve the population health and wellness needs of the Monterey Peninsula”, Montage Wellness Centers are opening a large vaccination clinic. The vaccination clinic is launching on February 10, 2021 in our Marina facility, with over 500 vaccinations distributed. We are building our vaccination doses to 1,000 each day as long as the vaccination supply continues to be provided by State and County sources. Combined, we are inoculating over 10,000 members of the public over age 75 and qualified health care workers.

The Marina facility is transforming into a large vaccination clinic by removing all the cardio equipment from the fitness floor. In addition, the fitness studios are being used as vaccination rooms and administrative support areas. Individuals that qualify for the vaccination follow a five step process after they register online for their designated appointment time. First, all individuals provide proper identification for age or health care worker qualification status. Second, they receive their vaccination cards, with the type of vaccine and lot number. Next, they enter into the registration system. Then, they are eligible to receive their vaccine. After receiving a vaccination, individuals must remain in the observation area for 15 minutes. The entire process upon arrival lasts about 25 minutes.

Several HPA staff members are working in the vaccination clinic and are performing a wide variety of duties. These duties range from front line welcoming service to call desk and registration support. The efforst between medical, fitness and volunteer staff is being praised by the public. Montage Health is the largest distributer of vaccines in Monterey County. We plan to continue the public vaccination efforts through April and hope to reopen the fitness facilities this summer.

Wellness Centers and the Olive Garden

Published

Mark Twain is famously quoted as having once said “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated”. I think the same can be said of the fitness industry today. Many people believe that the Covid 19 pandemic is the death knell of this once growing industry. It certainly is only fair to say that the industry, like our population is sick today. But like Mark Twain was at the time, it is still alive! In this case, I am convinced that it will come back to life, slowly perhaps, but when it does, it will be stronger than ever before.

When I was new to the industry and trying to quickly learn as much as I could from the leading experts, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar (back in the days when we did them in person!). The seminar was led by a man who is considered one of the leading experts on health club management. One of his topics was how successful clubs get through the unavoidable down period of the summer months. His lesson was that it was critical to create attractive programming or even special summer-only memberships; anything just to keep people in the club. For many of us who are experiencing those summers when our clubs become ghost towns, we know it’s tough to survive.

His point is that a successful club must find a way to generate activity and keep people coming in. He likened it to his theory of the Olive Garden. Think about when you go past a new restaurant at dinner time and find the parking lot empty. Chances are you’ll pass it up until you find an Olive Garden where the parking lot is busy and people are waiting in a line that wraps outside, holding beepers to await their turn. Health clubs are similar. While prospective members will always ask “does it get too crowded in here?”, an empty club can be an even bigger deterrent to membership than a robust crowd.

People are social beings and those who think that the only product of any of our wellness centers is to provide equipment for workouts are just dead wrong. Many of our members can afford to buy quality exercise equipment for home use (and many, in fact, do). But they choose to work out in our centers because of the socialization, friendships, companionship and interactions that they get when they join us. It may come slowly, but just watch; there will be a resurgence to the fitness/wellness industry and it will be huge.

5 Tips for Resuscitating your Wellness Center

Published February 11, 2021

Webinar: 5 Tips to Resuscitating your Wellness Center.

Click on the link below to view the latest HPA webinar: 5 Tips for Resuscitating your Wellness Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Don Doyle, HPA Vice President of Operations, has over 30 years of experience in the Medical Wellness Industry. Join us as Don shares his top 5 tips to get your wellness center through these challenging times.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8739604925741316364