The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reevaluate your health and fitness goals. A lot of us have the tendency to indulge a little more during the end of the year, with holiday parties, seasonal baking, and so many occasions to celebrate with delicious food. We get busy with planning, preparing, and celebrating, often putting our health priorities on the back burner.

Losing post-holiday pounds is a big motivator for lots of New Year’s resolutions, but losing weight isn’t the only reason people should focus of health and fitness in the new year. Committing to any kind of exercise is great for your body and your mind. We’re entering the darkest and coldest time of the year, a time of year when a lot of people start to feel sluggish and more prone to depression and low moods. Exercise is proven to be one of the best all-natural treatments for depression and anxiety and may be as effective as antidepressants in some cases, according to Harvard Health.

However, jumping into a fitness routine can be daunting, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with exercise. Going to a gym and working out in public can also be very intimidating, especially if a commercial gym calls to mind muscle-bound guys dropping weights on the ground and grunting.

The Howard Long Wellness Center at Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling has all the facilities and equipment of the big commercial gyms, but with more of a close-knit and supportive community and family environment. The facility is backed by the health experts of Wheeling Hospital and the site for Wheeling Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Some of the hospital’s clinical outpatient services including cardiac and pulmonary rehab, diabetes education and management services.

Of course, health is about more than just physical fitness and learning about proper nutrition is essential. Jill Spangler, registered dietitian and Director of Clinical Nutrition for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital can help you stay on track with your nutrition goals with nutrition counseling.

Memberships to the 65,000 square foot wellness center are available for anyone in the community.

“The center features over 80 pieces of cardio exercise equipment, nearly 70 units of strength training equipment, a full-size basketball court, an Olympic size pool, a jacuzzi, locker rooms with dry saunas, a workout and shower towel service,” says Joe Slavik, director of Howard Long Wellness Center. There are also three indoor and two outdoor pickleball courts and outdoor tennis.

The center offers an impressive schedule of over 70 group exercise classes per week.

“Our highly experienced and certified group fitness instructors provide engaging land classes such as Zumba, Boot Camp, Absolute Abs, Spinning, Interval and HIIT classes, Body Burn, and Express Toning. Our aquatic classes include water aerobics, aqua fitness, HIIT, Aqua Burst, and Latin Z,” says Slavik.

Holistic classes such as Tai Chi, Gentle Yoga, Somatic Yoga, Power Yoga, Intermediate Yoga and Healthy Body Healthy Brain are offered at an additional small fee.

Specialized Functional Fitness classes are for those who are looking for a more challenging fitness routine that includes high intensity exercises, Olympic lifts, kettle bells, step boxes and dumbbells. These classes are led by the center’s exercise physiologists.

Members can also take advantage of additional services like personal training, massage therapy, and hydromassage. These require an extra fee but offer a completely personalized experience.

The center has a drop-in childcare service that busy parents can take advantage of.

A membership to Howard Long Wellness Center can help you achieve your health and wellness goals, but it can do more than that. The center provides a base for a community of people who value a healthy lifestyle and a supportive environment.

“One of the most powerful benefits the wellness center has offered over the years is the priceless opportunity for people to reconnect with acquaintances they have may have not seen in years and also those who form new relationships that develop into true friendships that last a lifetime,” says Slavik. You never know when you might make a new friend in a pickleball match or water aerobics class.

Howard Long Wellness Center is located at 800 Medical Park, Wheeling, WV. For more information on the Howard Long Wellness Center and its services, call 304-242-WELL (304-242-9355).

Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-all-natural-treatment-to-fight-depression

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