Across the industry, fitness facilities are embracing a wide range of programs and techniques that not only set their clubs apart but also respond to the evolving needs of their members and surrounding communities.
Medical fitness is just one of these — a type of program that combines fitness and medicine to help individuals with their overall health. With personalized, supervised exercise programs tailored to an individual’s specific health needs, people can manage or prevent chronic conditions, recover from injuries or simply improve health outcomes.
Given the individualized nature of medical fitness, every facility’s program varies. Each club works with a range of medical professionals to ensure participants receive the most effective support possible.
At Baptist Health Milestone Wellness Center, those seeking medical fitness are referred by healthcare providers through a form provided by the center.
“Each referral is handled by our membership advisor,” said Lisa Groft, the COO of Baptist Health Milestone. “[They] coordinate assessments, goal setting and placement into the appropriate six-week program.”
Each program is then overseen by certified medical fitness specialists who communicate progress to providers and help clients transition to individual fitness when ready.
Once referred and placed into a program, participants at Baptist Health Milestone can access a variety of offerings including specialty fitness classes for conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis and nutrition-based programs for weight loss.
Beacon Health and Fitness is a healthcare organization first, that sees fitness as an extension of wellness. Their focus is to use theirfitness programming to deliver health outcomes that supports their system’s broader clinical goals. “We have always been mindful that if we just built a really great health club, then we fall short of our mission,” said executive director Alan Loyd.
Every referral Beacon receives is handled with care to support the patient as well as the provider. “If a provider is sending their patient to us, they’ve entrusted us with a great responsibility,” said Loyd. “We ensure every interaction with a new referral is handled smoothly and effectively through formalized intake processes and regular communication.”
Having a strong partnership with medical providers is essential to running a successful medical fitness program. Licensed physicians, physical therapists and medical specialists help to diagnose participants while working with fitness specialists and personal trainers to create highly personalized plans.
Comprehensive assessments are used to decide whether medical fitness is the right kind of program for someone. Participants undergo health evaluations that look at posture, balance and overall physical condition to determine a course of action.
These unique plans are designed to provide a safe and effective way to exercise, focusing on aspects such as strength, balance and flexibility. They are particularly beneficial for chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart problems, recovering from surgery or an injury, or experiencing stiffness or fatigue.
With these aspects at the forefront of every individualized plan, those participating can see continued success and improvement. “Participants report improved strength, mobility and confidence,” said Groft. “Many transition into long-term memberships, improving both retention and overall wellness engagement.”
At Baptist Health Milestone, the center uses standardized assessments, referral tracking tools and secure communication methods for provider updates. “We keep it as simple as possible for the client,” said Groft. “The more complicated you make things, the less likely they will continue with the program.”
For Beacon, scheduled assessments are an important part of tracking progress in their medical fitness programs. “It’s important that we can demonstrate to the participant that what they’re doing matters, it validates to the clinicians that our programs are effective, and it gives us information we can use to continuously improve what we do,” said Loyd.
The need for medical fitness is marked by the multitude of benefits found by those who participate. While being preventative towards disease and other risks, medical fitness also enhances quality of life by promoting better sleep, increasing energy levels and improves both physical and mental wellbeing.
As the demand for preventative care grows, medical fitness will continue to integrate with healthcare systems.
Recently, it was decided that Medicare will reimburse doctors for conducting physical activity assessments — a shift that recognizes exercise and nutrition as vital aspects of preventative healthcare. With this change, annual wellness visits can include these assessments, allowing providers to create personalized prevention plans.
In addition, the presidential administration announced a deal recently that would allow Medicare to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs. While separate from the assessment change, both decisions reflect a changing emphasis on national health and wellness initiatives.
Groft’s advice to clubs interested in including medical fitness is as follows: prioritize clarity and simplicity. Build strong healthcare partnerships and clearly define the process. “Start small and keep it simple,” she said. “Focus first on consistency, safety and measurable results.”
For Beacon, results are the proof of success. “Your medical fitness program is only as good as the outcomes participants experience and the confidence clinicians have that you’ll take the very best care of their patients,” said Loyd.
This commitment to results highlights a shared theme across both organizations – medical fitness programs thrive when they deliver meaningful improvements to those who depend on them.
