I am a person who enjoys staying active and fit. It’s a big part of my life! I go to the gym and practice yoga daily, not just for my own physical and mental health, but I also want my children to see that being active and setting goals is important. Hopefully, that will encourage them to take care of their health, too, especially as they get older.

Recently, I visited Hancock Wellness Center in New Palestine to check out their facilities. (There are also Wellness Centers in Greenfield and McCordsville!) As the only certified medical fitness center in the region, I found that not only is Hancock Wellness Center beautiful and inviting, but it’s a family-friendly place to focus on your health, too! Here are five reasons why I’m loving this place as a tool to focus on your health and wellbeing.

1. The Space is Beautiful + Functional

What struck me immediately upon walking inside the Hancock Wellness Center is the spacious environment and bright, natural light throughout the facility. With floor-to-ceiling windows that line the walls, guests are treated to views of the outdoors while they’re walking the track, working out or swimming in the pool area, with windows that face east to catch the sunrise. The whole space kind of makes you want to unwind, take a deep breath and release your stress. It feels like it was designed to provide a retreat from the hectic pace of the day.

Speaking of retreat, the first floor also has lots of tables and couches to sit at and relax or chat with friends, as well as a Health Hut Express, which offers food and beverages. This part of the first floor almost feels like a fancy hotel lobby, not a gym.

2. Kids Are Important Here

Hancock Wellness Centers includes the whole family in the wellness journey! Their Kids Fit program for children up to age 11 allows kids to use the lap pool, basketball court and track with adult supervision. Kids 14-15 are allowed to use those features, plus the weight room and spa (sauna, steam room and hot tub). Kids 16 and older can use the whole facility with adult privileges.

Sometimes, though, parents need some restorative gym time by themselves. That’s where Jungle Club comes in, the on-site childcare center for children ages 3-11. Child care is available seven days a week, and one fee covers all of your kids.

3. There are Lots of Group Classes

I’m big on group classes — there’s just something about working out with other people. It’s energetic! Hancock Wellness Center has lots of classes to choose from, for all fitness levels and interests. Some of those include:

Aquatics: Aqua Tabata, Aqua Yoga, Aqua Sculpt

Mind + Body: Yoga, and a class called Decompress, which is a series of stretches with a focus on breathing and balancing.

Strength + Cardio: Cycling, Barre, Pilates, Zumba, Boxing and lots more.

Mom Strong: One of the really neat group programs that’s targeted at moms is Mom Strong, which offers structured group trainings that specifically focus on the unique needs of a mom’s body during and after pregnancy. The program includes fitness and prenatal/postnatal yoga, one-on-one nutrition counseling for an additional fee, and massage therapy for an additional fee.

4. There’s Help When You Need It

Exercise specialists are available to help guide you toward your health and fitness goals. Members and non-members can access the services of a WellCoach, who can help with assessing personal goals, working with a personal trainer and getting nutrition advice from a registered dietician.

5. It’s the Little Details

It’s the small things that make a place feel like a great fit!

• I loved that the stairs are a central feature at the Wellness Center, so people are encouraged to take the stairs to get from one floor to the other. There is an elevator, though, in case you need it!
• Forgot a towel or goggles? The Wellness Center has your back! There’s a small canteen located on the first floor by the information desk with essentials to get you back on track and working out.
• Massage therapy is available at the Wellness Center, for an additional fee.
• There’s a farmers market every Tuesday in the Hancock Wellness Center parking lot from 4-6:30 p.m., from the beginning of May through October. The Healthway Park Farmers Market sells local foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, soaps, lotions and much more. Just another way to encourage a healthy lifestyle!
• Hancock Wellness Center is a Certified Medical Fitness Center, which means people can access internal medicine, family medicine, imaging services and rehabilitation services all within the same building as the Wellness Center.