The Medical Model

The term "medical model" refers to a philosophy of health and wellness that is medically based and looks at fitness as part of a lifelong pursuit of total wellness. Advocate Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center's commitment to the medical model of fitness provides our members with many benefits they would not receive at a commercial fitness center.

The Wellness Center follows the safety standards of the American College of Sports medicine, an international organization that provides facility guidelines and professional certifications. The Center is also a member of the Medical Fitness Association, a national organization that promotes prevention and treatment of disease by integrating exercise-based therapies with health education. The components of the medical model are discussed below.

Professional Staff: Staff in the fitness area hold masters degrees in exercise physiology, bachelors degrees in exercise science or other related fields. Other staff members include massage therapists, group exercise leaders, dietitians and trainers that are nationally certified or licensed and have a variety of backgrounds including chiropractic, athletic training, nursing, and physical therapy.

Why is national certification important? It’s your assurance that our staff are making exercise recommendations based on the most current exercise science research and guidelines.

Fitness Assessment: All members receive a comprehensive fitness assessment that provides written information on risk for heart disease, aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility and body composition. Members who are at risk for heart disease are referred to their physicians. Personalized recommendations provide members with the means to maximize their results when working out at the Wellness Center. Re-assessments are available to members upon request.

Wellness Education: Interactive lectures on topics such as preventive health, chronic disease management and sports performance improvement reinforce and enhance the total Wellness Center experience.

Member Safety: Staff members are CPR and AED certified; the Center has a written emergency response plan and holds periodic safety drills. Knowledgeable, trained staff, first aid kits and an automated external defibrillator (AED) are available as needed.

Award Winning: The Wellness Center is the recipient of a Checkmark for Quality from the readers of Chicago Consumers Checkbook magazine and a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Medical Fitness Association.

Members of the Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center benefit directly from our commitment to the medical model. When talking with any of our professional staff, you can be assured that our staff are making exercise recommendations based on the most current exercise science research and guidelines. You are receiving expert information and advice. Further questions about our commitment to the medical model should be referred to the Fitness Manager.

The Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center is a 90,000 square foot fitness center and health club with three indoor pools, a track, an extensive fitness floor and weight room, three group exercise studios (including Yoga and Pilates studios) and a basketball court.

Serving the western suburbs of Chicago, the Wellness Center is the recipient of a Checkmark for Quality from the readers of Chicago Consumers Checkbook magazine and a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Medical Fitness Association.