In the health care world, the term ‘wellness’ is defined
in many ways, but here at Synergy Wellness, a service of Sports Medicine
Specialists, LLC, we define it in terms of five key areas:
In each
of these vital areas, we hope to help empower you to achieve your
highest level of health. Click thefollowing titles to skip directly to a section:
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The American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend that every person achieve at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most if not all days of the week. They also recommend a pre-exercise medical evaluation to ensure safety and to maximize benefit. Regular physical exercise has numerous health benefits and Sports Medicine Specialists strongly endorses these recommendations.
Pre-screening and risk evaluation for medical problems associated
with exercising 
This pre-screening and risk evaluation has three main areas:
1) filling
out a detailed medical history form;
2) reviewing pertinent laboratories
such as cholesterol, diabetes markers, and electrolytes; and
3) measuring key physical parameters such as weight, height, blood pressure, and
resting heart rate. Information from these three areas is used to determine
any personal risk associated with starting an exercise program.
Medical tests for specific problems or risk stratification
1. Exercise stress treadmill
2. Pulmonary function tests/spirometry
3. Holter monitor
4. X-Ray
5. EKG
6. Labs
The American College of Sports Medicine and other leading
medical groups suggest a baseline measurement of certain blood tests
prior to starting an exercise program. These include blood counts, electrolytes,
cholesterol, and kidney function tests. In addition, individuals with
underlying medical conditions may need further evaluation prior to and/or
during an exercise program.
7. Nasopharyngoscopy
8. Bone density
Individuals over the age of 65 or anyone with risk factors
for low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis) should be screened using
what is called a DEXA scan. Ask the doctor if you think you need this test.
Fitness assessment
Why get a fitness assessment?
It provides valuable insight about participants’ present health-related
fitness status relative to health-related standards and age-matched norms.
It provides data that are helpful in development of exercise prescriptions to
address all fitness components.
Collects baseline and follow-up data that will allow evaluation of progress.
Motivates participants by establishing reasonable and attainable fitness goals.
Prior to the fitness assessment:
- Participants should be rested for the assessment, avoiding significant exertion
or exercise on the day of the assessment.
- Participants should refrain from ingesting food, alcohol, or caffeine or using
tobacco products within 3 hours of testing.
- Clothing should permit freedom of movement (shorts preferably, for the body
composition measurements) and include walking or running shoes.
- Drink ample fluids over the 24-hour period preceding the test to ensure normal
hydration before testing.
- Participants should bring a list of their medications, including dosage and
frequency of administration, to the assessment and should report the last actual
dose taken.
1. Health/Fitness History, Discuss Goals, and obtain Informed Consent
for Fitness Assessment
A sit down “interview” about what your lifestyle is presently,
and what your goals for the future are.
2. Resting metabolic rate measurement
3. Body Composition testing
Body Composition measures the fat vs. fat-free (lean) tissue in the
body. This is important to know because excess body fat is associated
with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, pulmonary dysfunction,
orthopedic difficulties, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain cancers
and insufficient body fat is also unhealthy.
Hydrostatic Weighing is the standard against which other methods
of body composition estimation are based. The equipment for hydrostatic
weighing is expensive, large and non-mobile. Because of this we use
skinfold measurements.
Skinfold Assessment
The accuracy of predicting the percent of body fat from skinfolds is approximately
plus or minus 3.5%, assuming that appropriate techniques and equations have
been used. (2006, American College of Sports Medicine) We use a high quality
Lange caliper to measure participants’ skinfolds.
Girth Measurements
Girth Measurements are an objective measure of one’s girth. A tape measure
is used to measure the neck, arm, chest, waist, hips, thigh and calf. It can
be very rewarding to see these numbers go down or up, depending on your goals.
4. Vo2max, aerobic/anaerobic threshold testing
This test measures how fit your cardio respiratory system is. It
specifically measures your heart rate and oxygen consumption. This
allows us to calculate your true target workout zones to help you
achieve your fitness goals. This test can be done maximally or sub-maximally,
meaning we can get an actual or an estimated VO2max.
5. Muscular Fitness testing
Muscular strength and endurance are health-related fitness components
that may improve or maintain the following:
- Bone mass, which is related to osteoporosis
- Glucose tolerance, which is related to type 2 diabetes
- Musculotendinous integrity, which is related to a lower risk of injury,
including low back pain
- The ability to carry out the activities of daily living, which is
related to self-esteem
- The fat-free mass and resting metabolic rate, which are related to
weight management
- The Push up and Curl up tests are used to evaluate the muscular fitness
of the upper body and abdominal muscle groups, respectively.
6. Flexibility testing
The Sit-and-Reach test is commonly used to assess low back, hip-joint
and hamstring flexibility. These are important in activities of daily
living and in sports performance.
Exercise prescription
Our degreed and certified trainer will work together with you to
design a personal program based upon your goals, your medical and
fitness assessment results, and your availability. This is preferably
done where you plan to exercise: at home, the gym, or another facility.
We emphasize activities that you want to do because we know if you’re
not having fun, you’ll have a harder time sticking to it. We
also can help design programs that will maximize your results while
minimizing your chance of drop out. If you have a specific sporting
event you want to train for, ask us about designing an exercise prescription
to help you meet that goal.
Personal training
Do you want to maximize the time you dedicate to being healthy and
fit? Are you unsure of proper form and safe lifting techniques for
a fitness program? Intimidated by the gym? Are you in a plateau? Do
you need motivation? Someone to be accountable to? A personal trainer
can help you accomplish your goals. Whether you need one there each
and every time you exercise, you want to check in weekly, or you just
want a weekly email to keep you on track, a personal trainer can be
a great force in helping you efficiently reach your goals. An ideal
trainer is degreed and certified by national health organizations,
giving you only the BEST!
Weight loss program
The majority of adults in the United States are overweight or want
to lose a few extra pounds. Nowadays, obesity is one of the biggest
health problems in the United States. The number of individuals, including
children, who are overweight has dramatically increased in the past
few years. Obesity is a major risk factor for disease and death; it
either directly causes or contributes to many serious illnesses, including
heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis,
depression and many others. Losing weight, even as little as 10 to
15 pounds, can have significant health benefits.
Even though most people know they should lose weight, very few can
actually do it. Or they lose a few pounds only to immediately gain it
right back. What does it take to have significant, meaningful weight
loss? The answer: a lot of hard work and some significant life changes.
Meaningful weight loss is weight loss that is safe, preserves energy,
and improves overall health (especially the heart and lungs). It is
also weight loss that LASTS!!! You must always remember that weight
is not cured; it is managed over time. That means that there is no simple
solution.
Synergy Wellness offers a 6-month, comprehensive personal weight loss
program. This program includes the following:
a fitness assessment,
nutrition analysis with nutrition log book,
exercise program design and follow-up,
personal training if requested,
weekly “check-ins”, and
timely reassessment.
This program is overseen by our Sports Medicine physicians who are
available at any point for consultation and are constantly in contact
with the trainers as to your progress. This program will give you the
tools for the safest, most-effective way to lose weight and keep it
off.
Nutrition analysis
This is done by participants keeping a 3-day food log (typically 2 week days and 1 weekend day). From this we can analyze your current diet and give you nutritional guidelines and tips for reaching your goals. We can also refer you to a registered dietician if needed or requested.
We offer multiple levels of service to fit your given needs and interests.
Our goal is to provide excellent services at affordable prices. Also,
please know that whenever medically indicated and appropriate, your
insurance will be billed instead of you*.
* An important note: not all services provided
by Synergy Wellness will be covered by your health insurance company.
In every appropriate instance where there is a medical indication,
we will submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursement. In those cases
where your insurance agrees to pay for the service(s), your responsibility
will be a copay only, depending on your specific insurance plan.
However, when it is not appropriate or if your insurance denies the
claim, you will be responsible for the entire bill for services. You
will be informed of the charges before any services are provided and
given the opportunity to proceed or withdraw your request.
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“To keep the body in good health is a duty . . . otherwise we
shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” Buddha
Sports Medicine Specialists offers several tools to help enhance your
intellectual growth
- Quarterly newsletter available by e-mail – scholarly
articles on pertinent medical issues in Sports Medicine and tips
from the doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and athletic
coaches. Click here to contact us if you’re interested in receiving the
newsletter.
- Links to articles in medical and sports medical journals
- Health or athletic books recommended by our staff or patients
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We are searching for a clinical sports psychologist with experience
in dealing with emotional and psychological issues faced by “athletes.” Please
check back for more information.
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In the near future, we plan to offer discounted group events
for our friends and patients. Our ideas include group tickets
to Real Salt Lake, Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, and other professional
sporting events here in Utah; group runs; tents at community
races or health events. If you have contacts or other ideas,
please let us know.
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“I plead with you young women
to please be more accepting of yourselves, including your body
shape and style, with a little less longing to look like someone
else. We are all different. Some are tall, and some are short.
Some are round, and some are thin. And almost everyone at some
time or other wants to be something they are not! But as one
adviser to teenage girls said: "You can't live your life
worrying that the world is staring at you. When you let people's
opinions make you self-conscious you give away your power. . . . The
key to feeling [confident] is to always listen to your inner
self—[the real you.]"(Julia
DeVillers, Teen People, Sept. 2005, 104.).
…In
terms of preoccupation with self and a fixation on the physical,
this is more than social insanity; it is spiritually destructive,
and it accounts for much of the unhappiness women, including
young women, face in the modern world….We should all
be as fit as we can be—that's good Word of Wisdom doctrine.
That means eating right and exercising and helping our bodies
function at their optimum strength. We could probably all do
better in that regard. But I speak here of optimum health;
there is no universal optimum size….
A woman not of our
faith once wrote something to the effect that in her years
of working with beautiful women she had seen several things
they all had in common, and not one of them had anything to
do with sizes and shapes. She said the loveliest women she
had known had a glow of health, a warm personality, a love
of learning, stability of character, and integrity. " -
Jeffrey R. Holland
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Synergy Wellness
Personal Training and Weight Management Programs
Pricing Information
Initial Fitness Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60
*Includes comprehensive medical history / risk factor assessment and if necessary, appointment
with physician.
Follow-up Fitness Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35
Nutrition Consult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25
Personal Training:
Exercise Prescription / single session . . . . . . . . $40
5 session pkg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$180 (10% off)
10 session pkg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$340 (15% off)
In- Home Personal Training:
Exercise Prescription / single session . . . . . . . . $50
5 session pkg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$225 (10% off)
10 session pkg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$425 (15% off)
Personal Weight Management:
Initial Consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$120 (schedule and pay in advance)
*Includes:
- Initial Fitness Assessment
- Define Fitness and Nutrition Goals
- 3 Day Food Analysis
- “6 Steps to Meaningful Weight Loss” Book
- Specific Exercise Prescription Session (separate appointment)
- Follow-up Fitness Assessment (date specific to individual’s needs and goals)
*Typically, program length is determined by your desired weight loss divided by 1.5. We recommend weekly nutrition consultations throughout the program. Meeting with a trainer at least once a week is also highly recommended but not required. Individual goals will determine how frequently and how many training sessions should be arranged.
**20% off personal training and nutrition services to those participating in the weight loss program.
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This is done by participants keeping a 3-day food log (typically
2 week days and 1 weekend day). From this we can analyze your current
diet and give you nutritional guidelines and tips for reaching your
goals. We can also refer you to a registered dietician if needed or
requested.
