EQT REC Center Supports Youth Athletics

Published April 29, 2021

A wrestling tournament held at EQT Rec Center

Healthplex’s EQT REC Center created a youth wrestling program which began in December of 2020 and continued throughout the winter months. The wrestling program paved the way for a partnership with Central Greene School District and the wrestling boosters club to host two wrestling tournaments in successive months. The first was a youth tournament held at the end of February. With over 230 registrants and four mats packed into the indoor turf field we were able keep non-stop action throughout the day. The EQT REC Center is proud to have been a part of this incredible feat from local athletes, many of which have trained at our Center.

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.

Taking Care of the Caregivers

Published April 19, 2021

SBH Fitness Center Spin Class

Healthplex Fitness Center at St Barnabas Hospital is starting a new program to teach 30-minute exercise clinics for the SBH Staff. The Center will provide a series of brief seminars covering the basics of fitness training while also expanding the staff’s knowledge of how to train safely and efficiently. The program is aimed at staff members of the Hospital who are not confident or comfortable working out in a gym. This clinic is designed to motivate those who are looking to gain the knowledge as well as the confidence to start an exercise routine.

Each clinic will be broken into four different sessions targeting a different aspect of training. Mobility/Flexibility, Strength Building, Fat Burning, and Free Weight Training. The Mobility/Flexibility unit will teach how to prepare the body for the workout, proper lifting mechanics, and posture to help not only for gym workouts, but to improve everyday physical activities. The Strength Building class will focus on teaching how to safely use the strength training machines in the gym. The Fat Burning session will cover how to efficiently use the cardio machines to increase cardio capacity. Finally, Free Weight training will provide advice on proper technique, information on repetition counts, and movement pattern mechanics while using the weights in the gym or at home.

This introductory program is designed not only to get the word out about the Center and the training staff, but also to help the Hospital staff realize that they can work out without having any doubt about whether they are working out efficiently. We are looking forward to providing some knowledge, good service, and of course, a whole lot of fun!

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.