BAC Exercises Options

By Lisa Bohlmann
Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald
March 16, 2005

Sticking to an exercise program can be challenging. It gets routine or boring and many times people give up if they aren't seeing the results they desire.

Reporter-Herald/CHAD WIEREMA

Caroline Creager, owner of the Berthoud Athletic Club, diversifies to meet the health needs of many.

Berthoud Athletic Club owner Caroline Creager knows this fact and has created a facility with programming to combat the exercise doldrums and help members achieve their goals.

"Unlike a lot of clubs that offer the same class at the same time each day, I try to mix it up so people get something different each day," she said. "The body accommodates if you do the same thing all the time and then you don't improve."

Her class offerings include a variety of unique options in addition to traditional classes. "We offer what a lot of other clubs do – yoga, Pilates, kick boxing, spinning and ball strengthening."

But she also offers classes aimed at specific health issues.

"I teach a class called 'Abdominal and Pelvic Floor Boot Camp', which is great for anyone but especially women with bladder control problems." The six-week class has been popular and effective with women of all ages seeing results, she said.

The club also offers a group program for people with the goal of climbing Longs Peak. At the end of the three-month program, participants are physically ready for that challenge.

In addition to classes, the Berthoud Athletic Club has a variety of free weights and weight and cardio machines.

Creager is a big advocate for children's health and has created a number of kids' programs to combat childhood obesity. With a director dedicated to those programs, the club offers exercise classes for children from ages 3 through 15.

More than 80 children participate in classes designed to show that fitness is fun and will encourage children to continue to exercise for the rest of their lives. Classes include tumbling, tap and jazz, and karate and are open to the public. The club's jump rope team is popular and has begun performing at community functions.

All classes for both adults and children are taught by certified instructors.

The club also employs a personal trainer certified through the American College of Sports Medicine who also holds a degree in dietetics. She offers both nutritional counseling and an eight-week weight loss class designed for people who want to lose 10 pounds or more. "It is really important to incorporate nutrition with exercise strategies for the best results," said Creager. "And it encourages accountability which helps people stick with it."

Creager operates a physical therapy clinic in conjunction with the health club. "I thought the two businesses would go well together and both were needed in Berthoud," she said. "The clinic provides a full range of physical therapy services specializing in women's health and sports medicine injuries."

Physical therapy services are available to anyone in the community.

Creager has written six books on health and fitness and is considered a specialist in core strength.

Club memberships are available as a punch pass or on an annual contract.