While “wellness” has become a common term and somewhat of a current phenomenon, you could say that “wellness” was born in the NEK just 43 years ago! It was in February 1982 that North Country Hospital (NCH) took the first initiative in the state to create a “Wellness Center” and establish a foundation for fun, health and fitness that is still here today! We were the first Vermont hospital to create a driving force in health and wellness, and that vision for understanding wellness and community has bridged so many people throughout the decades and kept us ahead of the trends locally, statewide, nationally, and even globally. For 43 years we have believed in our mission to offer a meeting place for fun, health and fitness, and the journey is still evolving!

Over the past few decades, the concepts of health and wellness have undergone a significant transformation. In the early 1980s, when The Wellness Center was established, health was primarily viewed through a medical lens—focused on the absence of disease rather than a holistic approach to well-being. NCH had a sense that if we also welcomed opportunities of health that created opportunities for physical fitness, mental wellness, nutrition, and social connections we may find our communities become healthier, and it worked! “Wellness” is now the go-to word for creating balance and healthful homes, workplaces and communities.

Throughout its history, The Wellness Center and the masses have witnessed various fitness trends come and go. In the 1980s, aerobics classes dominated fitness schedules, with high-energy aerobic workouts attracting large crowds. Fitness fanatics thought they needed to work out longer and harder! As we moved into the 1990s, there was a surge in weight training and bodybuilding, leading to an increase in fitness memberships as people sought to sculpt their bodies. Think of the influx of the “infomercials” and the overly muscular bodies…and likely overly fake tanned skin. Enter the early 2000s when the fitness world started to change! Balance and “wellness” became the new goal, as yoga and Pilates started to take the spotlight. These classes welcomed a chance to meld strength, core work and flexibility, with the added bonus of welcoming a “well-being” aspect. The deeper breathing meant calmer nervous systems and happier gym goers. Then entered the “brand named fitness,” think Zumba®, Spin® and other high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that have gained popularity due to their efficiency in burning calories in shorter workout sessions. The brand name fitness classes trained instructors how to take fitness to the next level in a short amount of time with sometimes higher quality content.

Despite these evolving trends, fitness facilities have always met the same obstacles: members! Approximately 80% of gyms close within their first year due to various challenges such as financial instability or failure to attract members. However, The Wellness Center stands out as a beacon of resilience in this landscape due to its longevity. Being a consistent mainstay in the area with affordable pricing, The Wellness Center attributes their commitment to community engagement and adapting services based on member feedback to their success. Most importantly, their staffing! The Wellness Center has been a smaller employer in our region for decades and instructors who share their time and talent are employed not only to teach classes but to have a direct impact on the lives of our community. The staffing and their dedication to care for the members has made all the difference.

While the fitness industry is up against the “love/hate relationship” some people have with a commitment to move their bodies and invest in their own health, it can be a struggle. Fitness facilities have been evolving to smaller studios that accommodate smaller groups, rather than large classes and giant gym spaces. Many facilities have increased rates and have hidden fees to cover costs. Organized fitness isn’t free, and with instructors paying on average $500-2000/year to keep up licensing and certifications, it shouldn’t be. However, one way NCH has kept “wellness” alive is modeling consistency and offering an environment where everyone feels welcome. By offering diverse programs, with consistent pricing, and a variety of options, the center ensures that there is something for everyone regardless of age, income or fitness level. This focus on fun not only encourages participation but also helps build lasting relationships among members.

As we reflect and celebrate 43 years of service at The Wellness Center this month, it is essential to recognize how far we have come while remaining true to our mission. You may also be thinking about how far you’ve come! Are you still moving 43 years later? Have you ever visited The Wellness Center? Do you make an investment in your own personal wellness on a consistent basis? Sure, it’s not always easy, and like many gyms, people tend to quit easily, but learn from the best, you can do it! While many trends, bodies and mindsets may change over time, the core principle of believing in wellness for all stays the same. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone; after all, it’s only through the support and participation of the community we can beat the statistics. We’d love to welcome you to wellness in anyway we can, but we feel we do it best at our home, The Wellness Center, you know – the meeting place for fun, health and fitness!