The Louisiana Athletic Club is Louisiana College’s building – it’s the James and Mary Baker Health and Wellness Center situated at the far south end of the campus – but the workers are employed by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital.
PINEVILLE – The Louisiana Athletic Club is Louisiana College’s building – it’s the James and Mary Baker Health and Wellness Center situated at the far south end of the campus – but the workers are employed by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital.
Some say the joint venture provides the best fitness center in central Louisiana. The facility, which was first opened to the public in 2001, hosted its annual Health and Wellness Expo June 25.
“The big advantage is that we are backed by two solid institutions,” said Sherman Fookes, general manager of the Louisiana Athletic Club. “That allows us access to professors, doctors and nurses for community education. That’s something we’re moving toward.”
The late-June Expo provided an opportunity for area residents to meet health professionals and get preliminary wellness screenings, as well as a tour of the clean and spacious facility.
Among the exhibitors at the Health and Wellness Expo 2007 were Alexandria Spine and Rehabilitation Center, American Heart Association, Mid-State Home Heath and 43 more.
Among the facilities’ offerings, an indoor rubber-matted track (easier on joints than city streets), lap pool, therapy pool, indoor basketball court – that’s where the exhibitors were – racquetball court, free weights, machine weights and cardio equipment such as treadmills, stationery bikes and stairmasters.
When the Message was given a tour of the Louisiana Athletic Club, a high-energy aerobic class was taking place in one oversized, well-lit, soundproofed room in which one wall was mirrored; An even higher-energy spinning class was taking place in a darkened soundproofed room nearby.
Both men’s and women’s locker areas include a whirlpool, steam room and sauna.
Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 12 noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: $49/month for an individual at least 16 years old, $77/month for a couple and $95/month for a family, plus a $100 enrollment fee for those who join on a month-to-month basis, and $50 for those who sign up for a year’s membership.
“Classes are free for members,” the general manager said. “Aerobics, spinning, even water therapy.”
So too is child care free – to people with a family membership. Youngsters stay in a room filled with “everywhere you look there’s something else” kids’ exploring and discovery toys. Several staff members are on hand to be a friend and safety buddy.
Cost-based options: Tanning at $4 for a 20-minute or less session; personal trainer at $15 for a 30-minute session.
“We have something to offer for any age group and any level of fitness,” Fookes said. “And, we have a wide variety, so you always have something to look forward to.”
Four types of classes are offered: group fitness, aquatic lap, aquatic therapy and indoor cycling, according to calendars of different colors of paper.
n Group fitness classes: intervals, weights, yoga, step-n-tone, pilates, cardio sculpt, tap dance, kick-n-abs, cardio circuit, weights, buns-n-thighs, power bar, low impact, beginners yoga, beginners pilates.
n Aquatic lap classes: hydro circuit, aqua intro, and ocean motion.
n Aquatic therapy (that’s in the pool with the warmer water that feels good on aching joints) classes: Healing waves, fibromyalgia, ROM.
n Indoor cycling apparently is all about personality: Shannon, Brandi, Power Hour with Scott, Robin, Kahne and Kathleen. Locker room talk will probably enlighten you as to which of these are the most motivational and/or who cracks the loudest whip.
Membership includes a complete fitness assessment, comprehensive equipment orientation and instruction, personal exercise plan, access to all cardiovascular, variable resistance, free weight equipment ND strength equipment, 16-laps-to-a-mile indoor run/walk track, aerobics programming in our private aerobics studio, access to indoor lap pool and water fitness classes, warm water therapy pool, indoor cycling studio, steam rooms, whirlpools, deluxe locker rooms with daily use lockers, family locker room, towel service, professionally trained staff to assist your efforts, gymnasium with basketball and volleyball, two racquetball/handball courts, family fitness time – designed for parents and their children.
Services available at additional cost: personal fitness trainers, massage therapy, leagues/lessons/clinics, health education classes and programs, and tanning.
“We pledge to provide you with a clean and well-maintained facility, properly maintained exercise equipment, a professionally trained and motivated staff, and quality programming,” General Manager Fookes said. “We want you to be healthy.”
About 75 percent of the 40,000 square foot, two-story James and Mary Baker Health and Wellness Center is taken up by the Louisiana Athletic Club. Four other entities also are in the building: Louisiana Physical Therapy of Pineville, Mid-State Orthopedic Clinia; Cabrini Diagnostic Center; and About Face Spa, “where luxury and wellness meet,” according to its promotional materials.
Among its offerings, a relaxation signature facial, lash and brow tinting, eyelash extensions, waxing, Botox, and GloMineral pharmaceutical grade makeup. Two physicians are on staff, Judith Nance MD and James Wallace MD.
A Botox/juvederm symposium is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 26 in the About Face offices above the Louisiana Athletic Club. Call 318.448.6288 to make a reservation.