Nifty NIFS: the National Institute for Fitness and Sports' facilities have an expansive approach to wellness - Clubscene - Brief Article

The National Institute for Fitness and Sports (NIFS), located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, in the White River State Park, is a unique fitness and health facility. It is the only non-profit institution of its kind in the United States.

In the early 1980s, former President Ronald Reagan instigated a program, "President's Council on Fitness and Sports," to research the health of the nation. A committee combed the country for a location to start a fitness academy--Indianapolis was chosen because it is known as the "Sports Capital." Community leaders and financial supporters, such as the philanthropic Lilly Foundation and the city of Indianapolis, under Mayor Richard Hudnut and the State of Indiana legislators, established NIFS to promote health, fitness and athletic performance.

From its original concept, NIFS has expanded the Health and Fitness Center into six separate centers: Center for Athletic Performance, Center for Corporate Fitness Management, Center for Educational Services, Center for Youth Development, Fitness Center and IU Medical Group. Each center has its own organizational entity and director, but all function together to coordinate their services. The directors work under the supervision of NIFS president Jerry Taylor and the Board of Directors. "The IU Medical staff and the Corporate Management Wellness program were added in the 1990s," explains Melanie Roberts, Fitness Center director.

The Center for Athletic Performance helps athletes and sports enthusiasts enhance their athleticism. The services include speed and power camps, private and semi-private training sessions, customized clinics and training, performance testing and nutrition analysis. Various teams, such as baseball and endurateams, seek training and performance analysis to improve their skills.

To reduce medical costs, businesses are encouraged to send their executives to join the wellness program at the Center for Corporate Fitness Management. Programs and services, managed by NIFS staff members, are offered to executives at their own on-site business wellness facilities. Nineteen satellite sites are located in the state and nation with resident staff members at each site.

The Center for Educational Services provides a variety of workshop sessions. Currently, the "hot topic" is optimum nutrition with weight consultation. One of the more popular workshops, "A Taste of Family Fitness," emphasizes on family health and well-being--especially since studies show the prevalence of overweight children, between ages six and seventeen, has almost doubled in the past 20 years. Each workshop provides educational programs on healthy foods and exercise. These workshops include tasting easy to make, nutritious foods. Busy parents can also learn how to schedule exercise in their daily routine.

The Center for Youth Development teaches children to stay fit by establishing healthy patterns early in life. NIFS is aware children sit for hours watching TV and playing Internet games, therefore, they developed this program to educate youth on the causes of health problems at an early age. Each year, over 18,000 preschool through high school-age children go on field trips to NIFS to learn what foods to eat and how to exercise.

The 65,000 square feet Fitness Center offers a 200-meter indoor rubberized five-lane running track on the perimeter of the exercise infield with a variety of exercise equipment. The space includes a regulation and accessory basketball court, over 85 pieces of cardiovascular exercise equipment and 2,500 square feet of free weights. Rooms are available for specialized teaching and consultations. Additionally, a nursery is provided for parents who bring their children. The nursery features ways for children to play actively.

Since the Indiana University/ Purdue University (IUPUI) campus is adjacent to the White River State Park, the IU Medical Group has access to NIFS with an on-site medical clinic. With a staff of 13 doctors, it has comprehensive facilities to perform phlebotomies, X-rays, physical therapy and other diagnostic tests for Corporate Health and Wellness, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Pulmonary Exercise Stress Testing, Asthma and Allergy Center, University Neurosurgical Associates, Indiana University Head and Spinal Cord Injury Center. Referral patients are sent to the IU Medical Center and treated by NIFS staff.

A staff of 120 to 150 members is employed at NIFS, which is open year-round to meet the needs of over 3,700 members. Members range from ages 12 to 65, with the median ages between 24 and 34. A diverse membership is offered to individuals, spouses, senior citizens (ages 60 plus), students, corporate personnel, youths (ages 11 to 15) and the wheelchair adapted. Academic membership is offered to students, faculty staff and their spouses. Corporate membership is also available for spouses. Membership includes physical fitness assessments, group classes, locker rooms, sauna, steam room and whirlpool. Rates vary for different types of membership either on a yearly basis, one-week or one-day guest pass.