The reasons are many. Eating as a pastime, a busy lifestyle, not taking the time to exercise, or not having a place to exercise are reasons we have all used for not adopting a healthy exercise program and healthy lifestyle. Fitness/wellness is defined as the state of being in good health, both mentally and physically, through exercise, proper nutrition and good habits.

Wishek Community Hospital has opened an exercise center to assist you in achieving and maintaining your personal fitness/wellness goals. 

Improved health in the forms of lowered blood pressure, lowered blood sugars, improved lipid/cholesterol numbers, improved stamina and muscle strength, increased weight loss or just feeling better are just a few of the benefits you’ll receive for adopting an exercise program and a healthy lifestyle. This could mean fewer doctors visits, fewer aches and pains or fewer medications needed to control some of the more common health problems.

Increasing muscle tissue through weight training aids in weight management or weight loss programs, increased strength and flexibility of the muscle groups, better posture, balance and tolerance to activities. It means an easier time with house or yard work, getting in and out of vehicles and just having more energy throughout the day. Muscle strains and overuse injuries are reduced as well when our muscles are well conditioned.

Aerobic exercise requires the increased use of oxygen during the routine. Some examples include walking, jogging, swimming, dancing and biking. Strengthening exercises increase the strength of the muscle tissue by working them beyond their current level of comfort. These programs can be geared for "bulking up" which is what many of us think of when we think of weight lifting. Weights can also be used for streamlining the muscle tissue for stamina. These programs usually require the use of resistance weight lifting. All exercise programs should incorporate flexibility or stretching as a warm-up and cool-down with the actual workout of at least three to five minutes.

The current recommendations suggest that, to get the most benefit out of an exercise program, it should include 30 minutes of aerobic activity three times per week as well as strengthening exercises twice weekly to increase muscle tone. Some people will incorporate some of each in a daily routine-known as circuit training.

But exercise must be done on a regular basis to be effective. Making it a "scheduled" part of each day ensures it becomes part of your daily routine and not missed or skipped. Finding the exercise program that feels comfortable for you will also help you stick to it. Some people prefer exercising alone, others want a buddy. There is not a best time to exercise near as much as there needs to be a time to exercise. To help people with a "time and place", the fitness/wellness room hours will be from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

No one program is right for all people. A combination of different exercises is the best prescription for overall wellness. The hospital offers a variety of equipment, including a motorized treadmill with uphill features, Nu-Step cross trainer, a recumbent style stationary bicycle, Schwinn Aerdyne stationary bicycle, smooth fitness elliptical rider, stair stepper, rowing machine, weight-stack weight lifting unit, dumbbells and gym balls.

Hospital staff are available to show you how to use the equipment properly or help you design a program that fits you.

To schedule an informational appointment with Felicia Huber, call 452-3160 to see how we can help you be the best you!

The price is right at just $15 per month for unlimited use. $25 per month for a family. Compare that to $75 per month at a YMCA. The hospital’s fitness/wellness room will be available for daily use following the open house.