Background

            The Exercise Clinic at ISU is an on-campus adult fitness program which is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Performance.  It operates under the direction of Warren D. Franke, Ph.D., a faculty member in this department.  The Exercise Clinic has been in existence since 1973.  It was started by a faculty member in what was then the Department of Physical Education/Leisure Studies, Dr. Wally Hutchison.  Dr. Hutchison retired in the spring of 1990; Lyle Kesl served as interim director until Dr. Franke began his duties in the fall of 1991. 

 

            The primary objective of The Exercise Clinic at ISU is to enable participants in having a program of lifelong physical activity that will reduce their risk for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.  We achieve this objective by 1) providing safe and effective exercise programs specific to each participant, 2) creating an environment conducive to participants enjoying physical activity, 3) administering physiological tests to identify fitness levels and areas needing improvement and 4) providing other services which facilitate participants reducing their chronic disease risk, such as blood

lipid profiles. 

 

 Our facility is located in Room 194 of the Forker Building.  This 8700 ft2 air-conditioned facility is equipped with an extensive array of cardiovascular and resistive exercise equipment.  We have 22 cardiovascular stations, including treadmills, stairsteppers, elliptical machines, rowers, recumbent and upright cycle ergometers, NuSteps, a Versaclimber and a NordicTrack ski machine.  We have 13 Keiser resistive exercise stations, dumbbells ranging from 2 to 100 pounds, a flat and an incline bench, and other related exercise equipment such as resistive bands and medicine balls.  This equipment was chosen for its ease of use, suitability for a diverse group of people, "user friendliness," and safety. 

In addition, each class is supervised by an exercise leader.  This leader is a graduate student in the Department of Health Human Performance. She or he is assisted by several senior undergraduate students with a similar major who are completing a required internship. 

 

All new participants are required to undergo an initial fitness assessment.  We attempt to meet these objectives by initially assessing the current level of cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, as well as the body compositon of each new member.  From this we develop an exercise prescription outlining what and how each person needs to exercise.  New participants are then enrolled in one or more of our fitness classes, of their choosing, which enables them to exercise in a structured environment.  Each new participant is encouraged to be re-assessed three months later to determine the efficacy of the exercise program.  All new participants are required to undergo a fitness assessment.  If a new participant possesses significant cardiovascular disease risk factors, then this person may be required to undergo a physician-supervised maximal graded exercise test or receive written permission by their personal physician.

 

The Exercise Clinic also provides a number of other services, many of which are at a reduced cost to participants in an exercise class.  Listed below are descriptions of these services, a current exercise class schedule, and a fee schedule.  If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to call the Director of the Exercise Clinic, Warren D. Franke, Ph.D., at 294-8257.

 

Fitness Assessment

The five components of physical fitness (flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, body composition, and cardiorespiratory endurance) are evaluated.  At the minimum, flexibility is quantified by a sit-and-reach test, muscular endurance by 60-second maximum abdominal curls, submaximal strength by completing a multiple repetition-bench press test using a fixed weight, and body composition by skinfold and girth measurements. Cardiorespiratory endurance will be assessed by a submaximal cycle ergometer test.  Upon completion of the fitness assessment, the measured values will be compared to age-and gender-specific norms to determine the client's current fitness status.  An exercise prescription will be developed based upon these data and the fitness goals of the participant.  This exercise prescription provides a structured plan designed to enable the participant to achieve his/her expressed goals.

 

Exercise Classes

Our classes are an hour long and consist of two different types—adult fitness or aerobics.  The adult fitness classes consist of:  1) a 5 to 10 minute warm-up phase that emphasizes stretching as a method of preparing the body for exercise, followed by 2) a 30 to 40 minute "stimulus" phase, where each participant works towards achieving his/her desired fitness goals, and is concluded by 3) a 10 minute cool-down phase, where stretching is used to promote increases in flexibility.  Our aerobics classes follow a similar format but low impact aerobic dance is primarily used as the exercise medium. 

       

 Our class schedule during the academic year is as follows:

                            Adult Fitness:      MWF              6:00  -   7:00 a.m.

                                                      MWF              7:00  -   8:00 a.m.

                                                      MWF              8:00  -   9:00 a.m.

                                                      MWF              9:00  - 10:00 a.m.

                                                      MWF            12:00  -   1:00 p.m.      (facility is open 11:30 – 1:30)

                                                      MWTh            5:30  -   6:30 p.m.

                                  Aerobics:      MF                12:00  -   1:00 p.m.

                                                      TTh               12:00  -   1:00 p.m.      (step aerobics)

     Facility “open” hours:      TTh                 7:00 -   9:30 a.m.      (facility is open but no structured activities are performed)

 

Blood Profile

      This profile includes assessments of one's lipids (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyerides), glucose, a complete blood count, and over 30 other components of one's blood.  It is a valuable and cost-effective tool in identifying one's risk for cardiovascular diseases.

 

 

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Profile

      A number of risk factors have been implicated in elevating one's risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).  By quantifying the presence and severity of these various factors, their influence on elevating one's risk for CVD can be estimated.  This computerized profile includes an estimate of the long-term probability of having a CVD event, e.g. the Framingham risk score, and how risk factor reduction may reduce this estimate.  A recent blood lipid profile is needed.

 

Nutritional Counseling

      A registered dietitian assists interested individuals in improving their eating habits.  Those interested in eating healthier, losing weight, or lowering their cholesterol intake may find this program worthwhile.  While variable, counseling for someone interested in losing weight would take 2-3 hours total.  This service may not be available at all times; it is free to ISU employees through the Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness program but a fee is charged for all others.  Contact Sally Barclay (barclay@iastate.edu) for more information.

 

Massage Therapy

      A licensed massage therapist can assist individuals interested in relieving muscle soreness, relaxing tense muscles or needing more specialized assistance such as trigger point therapy.  Carol A. Pearson, LMT, is the official Exercise Clinic massage therapist.  She can be reached at 296-2250, by appointment only. 

WellMile Incentive Program

      To encourage adherence to the exercise program, The Exercise Clinic also offers a structured incentive program, Miles of Smiles.  Participants earn well-miles for performing desirable activities, such as exercising regularly, undergoing a fitness assessment and having a CVD risk profile determined.  After reaching certain milestones, participants are eligible to receive prizes.  These prizes include workout towels, t-shirts, coffee mugs, engraved pens, and sweatshirts. 

 

 

              

                                     Fee Schedule          Exercise Class Participant           Non-Participant

                                      Fitness assessment                           FREE                                  $  20.00

                      Exercise class (1/2 semester)                        $  35.00                                       N/A

                      Exercise class (1 semester)                            $ 60.00                                    N/A

                        Exercise class (2 semesters)                          110.00                                      N/A

                               Complete blood profile                           15.00                                      20.00

                   (pay at time of venipuncture)

              Miles of Smiles incentive program                           FREE                                       N/A

      Cardiovascular disease risk factor profile                          FREE                                      15.00