Gym with a difference
by Vincent Ciccarello
Brains meet brawn at the new HLS Health & Fitness Centre.
Unique Gym, formerly run by the UniSA Student Association at City East campus, is being transformed by the School of Health Sciences from simply a place to work out, to an integrated teaching and research facility.
While continuing to offer students, staff and the general public the standard services of a gym, the centre will also enhance the existing teaching facilities for movement-based programs and research facilities for physical activity measurement.
Human Movement and Health Studies Program Director Dr Annette Raynor said the centre also provided opportunities for placements for students needing supervision and experience in exercise prescription.
"Exercise physiology has recently been added as an allied health
Medicare service but accreditation as an exercise physiologist is
currently based on 300 hours of experience in fitness testing,
exercise leadership and exercise prescription for healthy
populations and those with chronic and complex medical conditions,"
Dr Raynor said.
"There are currently limited opportunities for placements of this
type in Adelaide and so the HLS Health & Fitness Centre will fill a
void."
Future plans for the centre include the use of evidence-based research to facilitate positive healthy lifestyle changes in a range of populations, specifically focusing on healthy populations (including elite athletes), populations with injury or chronic disease and corporate health clients.
Centre manager David Barnes said the gym was unique in SA in being able to draw on the academic resources of the School, .
"It allows us to run scientifically appropriate programs for a range of clientele and to offer services beyond that of a student gymnasium," he said. "It’s a holistic approach to health and fitness.
"And it’s probably the best value for money, centrally-located gym in Adelaide too."
For opening hours and membership rates, phone (08) 8302 1496 or visit The Health and Fitness Centre website.