All’s well that ends with

from SVM_Spotlight_032923

by Shaw Media

Giving families the final word

By MELISSA RUBALCABA RISKE For Sauk Valley Media

When the Sterling Park District’s Westwood Wellness opened in January, its goal was simple: Give people a place to go after their workout or competition for some R&R — rest and recovery.

With only a few months under its belt, the facility is already reaching its goal. The facilities have been a hit with patrons, and plans are in the works to add a new amenity where people can chill out after a workout.

Westwood Wellness compliments its sister facility, Westwood Fitness and Sports Center, by giving the body a place to repair and strengthen itself in between workouts and competitions.

“We always want to help our patrons by providing the best fitness related opportunities we can,” explained Mary Cancini, manager of the Westwood Wellness Center for the Sterling Park District. She said that while working out is important, “recovery is just as important as training.”

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WELLNESS cont’d from page 23

The Westwood Wellness Center’s new amenities include infrared saunas, hydromassage beds, stand-up tanning booths and compression therapy, which are all available to fitness center members at no additional cost. A spray-tan unit, red-light and salt therapy sauna, and an Alter G Treadmill are also available to members at a nominal additional cost. Members can use the online reservation system (available at www.sterlingparks.org) to reserve a time or call ahead to reserve a space. Walk-ins are permitted based on availability, Cancini said.

The stand-up tanning booth and the spray-tan have been a popular choice for clients. Utilizing the latest technology, users can achieve their tan in as little as eight minutes or less. Tanning can become expensive if you do it often, but at Westwood Wellness the stand-up tanning booths will be free with your membership. The spray tan is available to members for $6 a session.

The new infrared sauna can be a great way to help muscles relax after a stressful workout. It uses an infrared spectrum of light to generate heat, reaching temperatures exceeding 140 F degrees.

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“Using an infrared sauna is awesome for a post-workout way to help relax, improve circulation and help with weight loss,” Cancini said.

There are four infrared saunas rooms, each accommodating one or two guests at a time, and one larger sauna that can accommodate two or three people. Cancini said patrons can choose to use the sauna privately or share. One sauna has red light and salt therapy available for a small additional cost. Red light therapy can help with inflammation, injury healing and pain reduction and provide a boost to the immune system. While salt therapy can help improve a long list of skin, respiratory and lifestyle conditions.

“We’ve gotten great feedback on red light and salt therapies Our patrons have seen changes in their overall health already,” Cancini said.

The four hydromassage beds can be another post-workout treatment for aching muscles. Clients can choose the intensity of the water and pressure and enjoy a 10-minute massage. There are also three new compression stations designed to treat legs, hips or arms. Cancini said this therapy can help reduce the lactic acid build-up in muscles and is a great post-workout or training treatment.

The Alter G Treadmill is an anti-gravity treadmill that offers users the ability to get a cardio workout without the normal pressure on joints and the body overall.

Later this year, another amenity is slated to arrive, a Cryotherapy Chamber, which uses extreme cold to offer relief to muscles and reduce inflammation and nerve irritations, and they can even been used to help those who suffer from migraines.

Cancini also said that while members enjoy the benefits of Westwood Wellness very inexpensively, you do not need to be a member to utilize the facility. Non-members may use Westwood Wellness by paying a $15 drop-in fee (plus additional fees for the spray tan, red light salt and Alter-G Treadmill). The drop-in fee also entitles the patron to utilize many of the fitness areas within Westwood as well.

Cancini also noted that Westwood Wellness is open to anyone 16 years of age or older, except for the stand-up tan booths that are only available to individuals ages 18 and older.

More info

Westwood Fitness & Sports Center and Westwood Wellness

1900 Westwood Drive, Sterling Online: Go to sterlingparks.org and find Westwood Fitness Center and the Westwood Wellness Center under the Facilities menu for more information; or find Sterling Park District on Facebook 815-622-6201

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