By Zack Peterson
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The opening of the Health & Wellness Center on Jan. 7 offers locals a chance to jumpstart their goals and make 2013 better — both physically and emotionally.
The center, a 50,000-square foot facility adjacent to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, isn’t meant to be just another fitness center.
It might look the part, based on a simple tour, but downstairs the center boasts two pools — a 25-meter lap pool and a square-like warm water therapy pool.
Upstairs is the center’s main floor, which contains rows of equipment used by many Olympians, four main group fitness rooms and a cushioned running track that loops the entire area.
It also possesses a cycling studio that uses green revolution technology to capture energy from 24 exercise bikes, pump it back into a generator and lower the building’s power costs.
“It’s progressive, yes,” said Dominique Wakefield, the center’s fitness and programs manager.
The Health & Wellness Center, whose started construction in April 2012, has loftier goals in mind.
According to director Diane Colville, its objective is to give people the opportunity to achieve healthy, happy lifestyles.
“The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is committed to helping members of our community achieve long-term wellness,” she said.
That is why they based their philosophy on the American College of Sport’s Medicine’s “Exercise is Medicine” concept, Colville said.
Because it believes long-term growth doesn’t stem solely from isolated exercise, the center features more than 50 classes and wellness programs ranging from specialized exercises and group classes to diet/nutrition and stress management.
In addition, popular exercise classes like Pilates, TRX Cables and Zumba are all offered.
“We focus on quality of life,” Wakefield said. “Quantity of life is a byproduct.”
Feeding into that concept is the Fit Fresh Café located just beyond the reception area, which features numerous healthy food options.
Wakefield said staff qualifications also set the center aside from standard fitness centers. They’re all degreed and certified.
That level of education gives members better access to quality instruction, according to Wakefield. And when they can’t be face-to-face with a trainer, there’s the “wellness key.”
Every member receives one, Wakefield said.
The keys are tailored to each individual’s goals and can be personalized with trainer suggestions.
Wakefield also said that so far, 50 percent of members indicated they had never belonged to a facility before, which makes personalization all the more important to the center. “Anyone can come here and find what fits their needs,” she said. “We’re very excited.”
