SILHOUETTE AMERICAN HEALTH STUDIO DOUBLES IN SIZE

Press, 6 November 1978, Page 21

SILHOUETTE AMERICAN HEALTH STUDIO DOUBLES IN SIZE

Today’s boom in healthconsciousness catered for in enlarged city studio

Already there is a large gymnasium, a steam-room with space for 20 people, a sauna-room with the same capacity, two suntan rooms, a massage area, a facial and beauty booth, a shower area and 16 changing cubicles. These existing facilities will be enlarged and improved with special emphasis on the shower area, sun-tan rooms, and gymnasium. Each day, .American Health have approximately 320 men and 260 women through their studio, and every week 50-60 new customers enrol for the courses. Despite the name, the

business is totally New Zealand-based but it does have broad affiliations with Amercian health studios, and members can elect to take part of their course in the United States. The Amercian Health Studios have been on their present site since 1963. and Con Stricke has been with them for most of that time. Especially interested in the weight-lifting and body-building aspect of his work, Mr Stricke has a Diploma of Physical Education from the University of Otago. The three-year course covers anatomy and physiology as fell as calisthenics. People of all ages take

advantage of the courses at American Health, but the biggest group are in the 20-35 year-old age range. However. older people are catered for and 70-80 year-olds attend regularly.

Con Stricke and his 25 staff members also work with customers who have a specific ailment or disability. such as asthma,

rheumatism or arthritis. Amputees also take courses. A large group of deaf and dumb customers enjoy the social side of the gymnasium work, a happy substitute for the team games which many cannot play.

Where it seems necessary, American Health recommend that patients with a heart condition or high blood pressure approach their doctor before beginning a course with them. All application forms have a space where any disability may be listed.

All supervision and help at the American Health Studios is on a personal rather than a class basis. Some attend the American Health Studios on a regular basis, but for many men and women it is a seasonal fittening and toning-up programme. Presummer courses are popular — to prepare for the summer beach and sports scene by getting rid of winter flab. For the many top rugby players who attend the studio, the gym workouts and steam and massage treatments are a way of keeping in trim till the winter. Mr Stricke feels that movies like “Rocky” have reawakened a keeness for work with weights. With the extra room now avail-

able. American Health intend to import several pieces of “Nautilus” bodybuilding equipment. Used by top body-building or-

ganisations overseas, such as Mr Universe and Mr America, the “Nautilus” equipment has the advantage of putting the emphasis on one muscle group at a time. No longer is weight-lifting equated with brainless strength. It is an important method of attaining full fitness.

Regular long-term fitness programmes are always better than short sharp bursts of activity, according to Con Stricke.

Most fitness enthusiasts seem to recognise this these days, and the American Health Studios have geared their membership arrangements accordingly. He says, "You can’t buy health in a package and keep it for the rest of vour life.”

Life membership of American Health entitles the holder to free use of steam facilities and exercise areas, for no extra

charge, at any time during the days allotted to men and women. Membership is also available for periods from five to two years, the shortest course occupies three months.

Women's days at the studio are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For men, it is Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.).

No special clothing is needed for courses. Women wear leotards, sunsuits, shorts or slacks and blouse, or a loosefitting dress. For men there is a choice of tracksuits or shorts and top. No special footwear is needed as the studio is

carpeted. No storage for clothing is offered, as this has been found to be impractical. Each time members come into the studio for a workout, they sign their name and expiry date of membership in the daily register. All valuables such as watches, handbags and jewellery can be left with the checkroom while members are exercising.

Any member may introduce a friend into the studio for One free trial treatment. They may either take the friend along themselves or send them to the studio with a guest pass. Towels may be rented for $1 at the 'stu-

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