Edward-Elmhurst Health: Move more, feel better with medical fitness

Exercise can help people with a chronic disease or medical condition feel better. But what exercises are safe? How often can they exercise? What precautions should they take?

Medical fitness can provide answers and put people on the path to living their healthiest lives.

Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness Centers created a Medical Fitness Program to support people navigating a chronic disease or other health issue with safe and effective exercise strategies created specifically for them and guided by degreed, nationally accredited fitness staff.

After a referral from a physician, people receive an individualized assessment and medically based fitness plan to get them on their way to reducing their health risks and easing symptoms, or just moving more and feeling better.

Individualized exercise plans are centered around health management and prevention and include a diverse selection of evidence-based classes and programming led by certified and specially trained staff.

The Medical Fitness Program includes one or more of the following pathways:

• Active aging
• Bone and joint
• Cancer
• Cardiorespiratory
• Diabetes
• Falls prevention
• Injury recovery
• Mind-body
• Neurological
• Pre-/post-natal
• Pre-/post-surgery
• Weight management

Medical Fitness participants get full access to both Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness facilities (Naperville and Woodridge), including a variety of free classes and exercise equipment, indoor walking track, lap and therapy pools, and spa services.

“Program participants say they feel welcome the minute they step through the door,” says Carol Teteak, M.S., medical fitness supervisor at Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness. “There’s also camaraderie among participants, as they have a chance to meet others dealing with similar health challenges. Many participants feel the program has helped them get back to where they want to be physically.”

Anyone interested in the Medical Fitness program should talk to their doctor about a referral or connect with the Fitness Center directly at medicalfitness@eehealth.org or 630-646-7902.

Get more information at EEHealth.org/healthy-driven/fitness-centers/medical-fitness-program.