by Amy Vaerewyck
Nick Edwards likes the excitement at his new workplace.
He’s an exercise testing coordinator at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center—the brand new, high-tech haven of health that just opened on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in April.
“People come in and are blown away by how incredible the facility is,” he said.
Here are some reasons why:
Every Center member gets a personalized digital Technogym SmartKey USB device. When you arrive for your workout, you go to a touch-screen kiosk and insert your key.
The kiosk will tell you where to start your workout—say, on an elliptical machine. You go to that machine, put your key in, and the machine automatically starts you at the correct intensity level and workout duration.
When you’re done with that, the machine will tell you where to go next—maybe to the thigh abduction machine—where it will clue you in on the machine settings you need and the number of repetitions you should do. When you’re done with your workout, the SmartKey will store all your data, so you can track your progress over time.
“We see everyone from elite triathletes to avid lifters to people who haven’t worked out in years,” Edwards said. “We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and empowered to reach their own goals.”
The Technogym equipment contains your customized workout plan, created by a certified physical trainer after your introductory fitness assessment—so the machines can guide you through your workout as though you had a personal trainer right by your side.
Bonus: The treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines have interactive screens with access to TV, movies and the Internet.
“You can surf the Web while you’re running,” said new member Claire Gustafson, a third-year immunology student.
Highly-trained and Educated Fitness Staff
Many gyms and exercise facilities require staff members to have only a high school diploma. At the Center, every fitness staff member has at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or exercise science and certification in personal training, said Membership Advisor Tiffany Davis. And many of them have master’s and doctoral degrees in specialized areas of health and wellness.
For instance, Edwards, in his six years in the health and wellness field, has worked in human performance labs, been a strength and conditioning coach and served as a fitness manager at a Division-One university.
At the helm of the Center’s staff team is the Center’s executive director, Dr. James O. Hill [link to Hill profile], a renowned leader in the fight against obesity.
“The Colorado Center will develop and disseminate practical knowledge and tools that can be applied in homes, schools, offices and communities to help people achieve and sustain healthier lifestyles,” Hill said.
Hill’s staff seems sincerely committed to their work.
“I try to get to know each individual,” Edwards said. “I meet them, get acquainted, joke around with them, ask about their kids and families.”
If the Rocky Mountain views through the floor-to-ceiling windows weren’t enough, on top of the Gold LEED certified building is an expansive Green Roof, which will soon be alive with native Colorado grasses and fresh, healthy produce—some of which will be used downstairs at Bistro Elaia.
You might come to the Green Roof during a work-out break for some holistic nourishment. Clear your mind with a few moments of meditation or a stroll around the lush flora. Draw inspiration from the vegetable garden to eat healthfully. Lower your heart rate with a friendly chat or a simple rest in the Colorado sunshine.
Made possible by a generous donation of $650,000 from a fund established by the historic Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity, the Green Roof has a 300-person occupancy and is available to rent for events.
With its focus on general wellness, the Center provides a different atmosphere than most exercise facilities.
New Center member Carol Ruscin, a University of Colorado Hospital employee, compared it this way: “You felt like a person in a meat locker (at other gyms). I don’t think I’ll feel that here.”
“People aren’t here just for exercise,” Edwards said. “It’s for wellness in general.”
From the elite athlete to the couch potato, from the health-nut to the chronic dieter, the Center has something for everyone:
“It’s all-encompassing,” Davis said. “There’s the educational component, fitness programs, goal-setting and more.”
“Everybody needs to at least come check it out,” Ruscin said.
Published: April 30, 2012