Press Releases

| News & Events | Press Releases | Events | 2006 Releases | 2007 Releases |

Contact Good Shepherd's Marketing and Communications Department >>

November 17, 2006
Leading Rehabilitation Networks Offer Fitness Centers that are Accessible for People with Disabilities

Allentown—Regular exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle, and many people will be making a resolution to join a fitness center and exercise more during the New Year. Yet, for many individuals with disabilities, especially those who rely on wheelchairs for mobility, access to fitness centers and exercise equipment is limited.

To fill this void, some of the nation’s leading rehabilitation networks have opened fitness centers that are fully accessible for individuals in wheelchairs. The unique, dual-use equipment offered at these facilities can be used by persons with or without disabilities.

The latest example of this growing trend is Optimal Fitness at Good Shepherd, a new facility opened by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Good Shepherd is continuing the movement that other leading rehabilitation organizations have already implemented. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, also have designed their fitness centers to enable and encourage patients with disabilities to remain physically active.

While 49.7 million Americans are legally blind, in wheelchairs or are physically or mentally impaired, only 36 percent engage in any physical activity, according to Healthy People 2010, a report by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services.

“Many people with disabilities do not have the opportunity to go to a gym because the facilities are not accessible,” says Mike Bonner, director of Neurorehabilitation at Good Shepherd. “This will give our patients and clients the opportunity to stay healthy, even after they have completed their rehabilitation.”

Optimal Fitness at Good Shepherd: Good Shepherd’s facility includes an array of wheelchair-accessible Apex Fitness upper-body strength machines. Cardiovascular equipment, such as treadmills, elliptical machines and recumbent stationary bikes are also available, which are used by patients and clients during and after their physical therapy programs.

Optimal Fitness at Good Shepherd brings expert assistance to gym members, in the form of an exercise physiologist, a personal trainer, a dietitian, and other professionals to help people through their workout. And a state-of-the-art Fitness Advisor Program, which electronically tracks the progress of workouts, is available.

“We’ve developed a fitness center where you can individualize your program to achieve maximum results,” says Mr. Bonner. “The dual-use equipment can be used by individuals with and without disabilities, which makes the facility more versatile.”

A full schedule of classes, such yoga and Pilates, are offered for people with disabilities, and a warm-water pool is available for aqua-therapy classes and other water-related fitness programs.

Helen M. Galvin Center for Health and Fitness and Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago: This year is the 25th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Helen M. Galvin Center for Health and Fitness and Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program. For decades RIC has offered accessible fitness equipment and competitive sports opportunities for people with disabilities. The 4,000-square-foot Center for Health and Fitness contains up-to-date cardiovascular and weight training equipment. The facility also offers personal exercise programs such as yoga and tai chi and condition-specific educational opportunities. Members and guests also have access to a member lounge and a resource library and research opportunities.

“It’s an important part of our mission to provide community services like these to people with disabilities,” says Tom Richey, athletic director at RIC. “It is RIC’s role as a community advocate to help educate and provide access to long-term wellness opportunities, and we’re pleased to welcome hundreds of people with disabilities into our programs each year."

ProMotion Fitness at Shepherd Center: Shepherd Center’s ProMotion Fitness Center consists of a well-trained, knowledgeable staff to assist individuals in meeting their exercise goals. ProMotion offers a fully accessible weight room with various weight and cardio equipment, a 25-yard swimming pool with two lifts, a 1/19 mile indoor track, and a full court gymnasium equipped with adjustable basketball courts. ProMotion offers classes for both aquatic and land exercise, swim lessons, and personal training.

“Our facility offers individuals of all abilities to embark on their health and wellness goals,” says Rebecca Washburn, who manages of the ProMotion Fitness Center.