SARASOTA, Fla. (Nov. 2, 2023) – Sarasota Memorial’s HealthFit has been named Medical Fitness Facility of the Year for 2023, recognizing its range of medically supervised fitness programs and commitment to excellent outcomes.
Focused on functional fitness and strength training for all ages, HealthFit also provides specialized classes to assist people with past injuries, or those living with or recovering from cancer or other diseases, exercise and rebuild strength safely. HealthFit's oncology exercise and wellness care classes, which are free to the community, include oncology yoga and tai chi, among other recovery exercise.
In 2017, the SMH HealthFit facility was first the fitness center in Florida to be certified by the Medical Fitness Association. It remains one of only two certified facilities in the state. To retain the medical fitness designation, facilities must reapply every three years and pass a rigorous on-site inspection of its medically supervised exercise programs and outcomes.
"When Sarasota Memorial took over management of the facility in 2012, the focus on becoming a leading medical fitness facility was at the forefront of HealthFit's mission, and we have never stopped," said Doug Sham, Manager of the HealthFit Facility. "We started by creating a foundation of programs and services that would allow members of the community to continue their care after they left an inpatient service line or had a diagnosed condition. It's an incredible honor for the team to be recognized, along with our incredible members who trust us with their health journey."
HealthFit has more than 3,200 members. In addition to all of the amenities of a well-equipped gyn, Sarasota Memorial’s fitness center provides special programs and classes for people with heart conditions, balance/fall risk issues, osteoporosis/osteopenia, cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson’s, as well as custom programs to help women exercise safely during and after pregnancy. HealthFit also offers comprehensive wellness (nutrition, wellness coaching, and exercise) and ongoing community outreach and education.
About HealthFit – Powered by Sarasota Memorial
As part of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, HealthFit is medically integrated with one of the top hospitals in the nation for quality, safety and patient care. For its members, that means a better, safer and more productive fitness experience. HealthFit is a 44,000-square-foot facility, with multiple workout stations and training areas, a state-of-the-art spinning studio, sports courts, group exercise rooms and two heated, indoor pools. More than 70 group exercise classes a week are included in the membership, along with amenities like towel service, hot tubs, steam rooms and private massage therapy rooms. For information, call (941) 917-7000 or visit smhfit.com.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional referral center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 1.5 million patient visits each year across its 2 hospital campuses, freestanding ER, and network of outpatient care centers. Its flagship 901-bed Sarasota hospital has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best, with superior patient outcomes and comprehensive network of outpatient. The public health system opened its second acute-care hospital, SMH-Venice, in November 2021 to serve the growing south Sarasota County region. For information, visit smh.com.