A new kind of fitness focus

Many of us at sometime have joined a gym. Whether as a result of a New Year's resolution, a desire to get into shape for the summer or because the doctor recommended some form of exercise.

My guess is that you started off with great enthusiasm, following your programme, making regular trips to the gym. A few weeks later, wondering whether it was making any difference, then gradually over the coming months finding excuses for not going and eventually give up!

Most people give up as a result of lack of focus; there is no end goal strong enough to make you want to go to the gym. Many of us have no desire to train for a marathon, so there is now a new kind of gym which is taking a different
approach to their training and health programme.

In 2008 Nuffield Health - an organisation which helps millions of people take care of their health through its hospitals network, acquired Cannons Health Clubs.
The Centres are a new type of health club that offer a very different approach to personal health & fitness. Billed as the ‘health clubs of the future', the new clubs are called ‘Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centres' and offer services that have never before been available at a gym or health club.

The Centres offer a combination of fitness facilities, health services and highly qualified staff in order to provide a holistic and joined up approach to managing health & wellbeing that can't be found under one roof anywhere else.

As part of his or her membership, each client is given a health assessment known as the Vi1. The comprehensive, 60 minute health assessment will measure body mass index, aerobic fitness, and resting heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. Clients will receive a written report, which will contribute to a personalised action plan and fitness programme.

My Senior Wellbeing Advisor, Phil Wilde, conducted my assessment. On arrival at The City (next to Cannon Street, London) I was shown around their amazing facilities. Built under the railway arches, each section of the gym fits neatly into the structure of the building.

As we walked down the long corridors, I was able to view the racquet courts, swimming pool, studios, boxing ring, restaurants and finally arrived at the Relaxation Zone - offering treatments and therapies.

We started off with a health questionnaire, the usual questions relating to diet, alcohol consumption, and current exercise routine. While most gyms currently offer this, I am sure many of us are not quite that honest when it comes to owning up about our current health. That's where the next set of tests can reveal the truth. My BMI was calculated using my height & weight, along with my hip to waist ratio to see if I was carrying any excess body fat, this is important as there is a strong correlation between chronic diseases such as diabetes and excess fat stored in the midsection.

Next I had my blood pressure taken, my VO2 Max to measure my aerobic fitness, my resting heart rate was measured to see if my cardiovascular system was under increased demand, and finally my cholesterol and fasting blood glucose reading was taken.
The information was fed into the computer and a 12 page report was printed out which we then discussed.

The great thing about this type of assessment is that a tailored programme, nutritional and lifestyle advice around reaching your optimum health can be created, giving you something tangible to work towards. Not all of us want bulging muscles and an ability to run 15 miles but when it comes to living a healthy and happy life I'm sure we can all be inspired to reach our goal.

KP Doyle, Chief Executive of Nuffield Health says, "Nuffield Health is the very first organisation to offer joined up health and fitness services. Our aim is to help every single one of our clients to lead healthier, happier lives by inspiring them to actively take care of their health and wellbeing."

• Accredited Nuffield physiotherapists - available to personalise an action plan for prevention, intervention and rehabilitation of injuries;
• Nutritional advice - nutritional guidance and dietary analysis from Senor Wellbeing Advisors to help clients make the right choices for healthy living;
• Relaxation Zones - offering soothing and nourishing treatments and therapies;
• Health workshops and seminars to keep people informed and up-to-date about the best ways to improve and maintain their wellbeing.

To find a Nuffield Health Wellbeing Centre near you go to www.nuffieldhealth.com