Marion Wellness Center helps improve health through exercise
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
When people think of "wellness," they may tend to think of it as health care provided through physicians and medicine.
In the case of Marion Wellness Center at 110 E. Main, wellness is promoted through physical exercise.
Lori Lalouette took over ownership in April and has added several new pieces of equipment. More than 35 exercise stations are available. They serve individuals from age 14 to senior citizens.
The machines provide a work-out for every part of the body. Wall charts give directions on how to use the equipment to the best advantage. Members can pick and choose which ones to use, whether it be one machine or many.
Lalouette's assistant, Randy Crawford of Marion, is responsible for issuing memberships. He helps new members become acquainted with the equipment and shows them how to use it.
Among the new items are two treadmill machines and an additional elliptical machine.
Another treadmill has been rebuilt and upgraded, making four treadmills available. All of them are programmable but can be operated without being programmed.
Two of the treadmills, one elliptical machine, and the exercise bike have heart monitors. They indicate when the heart is beating at a high enough rate to burn fat but not high enough to burn muscle.
Much of the added equipment is geared for women. A bench press has been added, along with more sets of weights and dumbbells ranging from one to 90 pounds. Several lightweight bars are provided specifically for women and youth.
Also provided are a new back/abdomen machine, body balls, bands for doing stretching exercises, an inner-outer thigh machine, and a seated lat pull down with low row.
Other machines include an incline/decline bench, calf machines, squat machine, and Roman chair for lower back.
An air purifier runs day and night, and sanitizing spray and paper towels are provided.
Lockers are provided for storing clothing. Cable TV, stereo, and a phone for local calls also are available to members.
Members are issued a "proximity" card which provides electronic access to the facility 24 hours a day.
Harold Epperson, a 53-year-old man who underwent two liver transplants, uses the wellness center to rebuild muscle.
He is sold on the facility and encourages people to take advantage of it. He said it is geared to older adults who "need to get off their rear ends and start working out."
He said working out strengthens bones and keeps up muscle strength. He also said using free weights is the best workout because it makes the individual do all the work and affects so many more muscles than weight machines.
"But anything's good," he said. "Do the best of your ability and don't expect much. But in the long run, it will do a lot."
Lalouette is offering $5 off per month for Marion Chamber of Commerce members, as well as faculty and staff of USD 408 and employees of St. Luke Hospital.
Discount rates are provided for senior citizens and students. Memberships are available for a monthly fee or for a three, six, or 12-month period.
For information on membership rates and/or to apply for a membership, contact Crawford at 620-382-6725. Information also is available online at www.marionwellnesscenter.com.
