Fitness is key T
he COVID-19 pandemic has created fear in a variety of facets, fitness being one of them; however, we know that good health is definitely a weapon when fighting any illness. Individuals who maintain healthy nutrition choices and keep physical activity as a priority battle strong against this virus and many other diseases. According to an article in USA Today and my favorite cosponsor, the American College of Sports Medicine, physical activity builds a healthier immune system. COVID-19’s negative health outcomes are directly impacted by a person’s level of fitness. NiCole Keith, president of ACSM, references this in the article. So yes, wear your mask, practice social distancing, use hand sanitizer, but don’t let any illness affect the decision to exercise. God made us to move. Enjoy a neighborhood walk or run, a stroll in a state park, embark on a home exercise program or even exercise in your favorite fitness facility. That’s where Russell Medical can help. Total Fitness at Russell Medical provides a state-of-theart medical exercise facility in the heart of Alexander City. Total Fitness opened 16 years ago. I will always remember this because my son was 6 months old when I became part of the RM family. I was immediately impressed by the wellequipped facility located within a 20-minute drive from my home in Cowpens, USA. I had previously worked at Auburn University, Uniroyal Corporate Fitness Center in Auburn and 30 Lake Martin Living
Rehab Associates of Montgomery, but Russell Medical was soon to be my forever home. My passion for fitness began my freshman year at Central Alabama Community College. I knew corporate and community wellness was my calling. I began teaching aerobics at the age of 18, and now at age 44, I continue to teach group exercise classes and train clients individually while managing the fitness department, and I love every minute. Total Fitness was designed to provide an extensive range of services to help improve quality of life. Total Fitness specializes in creating exercise prescriptions for a multitude of chronic diseases, such as arthritis and heart disease, but we also provide memberships for all individuals 15 years of age and older. It is a public facility, and anyone can join. We offer specialized programs such as Operation FitKids, designed by the American Council of Exercise for fifth and sixth graders. We are an authorized American Red Cross provider and offer Learn To Swim courses that range from parent/child aquatics to adult swim lessons to basic water rescue. We follow guidelines provided by ACSM, CDC and AHA. We have six personal trainers, and we offer land and water group exercise classes. We train both on land and in water with our clients. RM would like to supply you with all of your rehab and fitness needs.
