{"id":10790,"date":"2010-03-17T07:59:44","date_gmt":"2010-03-17T11:59:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/foodembrace.com\/?p=10790"},"modified":"2010-03-19T12:53:05","modified_gmt":"2010-03-19T16:53:05","slug":"mcconnell-heart-health-center-healthy-escapes-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/2010\/03\/mcconnell-heart-health-center-healthy-escapes-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"McConnell Heart Health Center: Healthy Escapes Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Last week, Scott and I were invited to take a tour of the McConnell Heart Health Center (MHHC) that is located right off of Olentangy River Road.\u00a0 At first I was a little confused by the invitation because it mentioned something about a weekend getaway and I wasn’t quite sure how that would work.\u00a0 I looked at the website and decided that I would like to go on the tour since I didn’t know anything about the place.\u00a0 What better way to learn than taking a tour, right?<\/p>\n

Scott and I arrived at the center just before 4pm and we met with Michael Marcus who is the director of sales, Heather, also part of that team, and Brian who is a trainer at MHHC.\u00a0 We waited around for a few other local healthy living bloggers to arrive and then we were off on the tour.\u00a0 I have to say that I’m extremely glad that I went because I learned so many things about the center!<\/p>\n

My original thought was that it was a rehab and monitoring center for those that have had heart problems in the past.\u00a0 And while the center does do that, it also has other features that are open to the public.\u00a0 For example, there is a full gym located inside the center that is open to the public for memberships.\u00a0 Did you know this?\u00a0 I didn’t know this!<\/p>\n

The gym is a full-featured gym with exercise equipment and an indoor track.\u00a0 The gym also has three pools; a lap pool, an exercise pool, and a therapy pool.\u00a0 All of them are heated.<\/p>\n

There are personal trainers who work the gym area and can offer advice on workouts or even help you with a machine if you have some questions about it.\u00a0 Each member is given a program ID card if they want it.\u00a0 The card can be inserted into the machines and then your session will pop up on a screen telling you how much weight and reps you should be doing currently.\u00a0 It tracks and records your progress as well.\u00a0 This is the first I’ve seen of such a thing on weight machines.<\/p>\n

There are stretching areas, a basketball court, and a physical therapy room.\u00a0 There are also rooms for yoga and pilates specifically.\u00a0 Spinning, step, and other group classes are also available.\u00a0 They are located another level down in a very quiet and peaceful section of the gym.\u00a0 Sports medicine and acupuncture are also available here!<\/p>\n

Locker rooms have showers, saunas, and steam rooms.\u00a0 Daycare is available for gym members.<\/p>\n

The building has meeting rooms that are available for reservation for business or group functions.\u00a0 Gym services can also be worked into the meeting reservation.\u00a0 Catering is also available!<\/p>\n

The MHHC has its very own Heart Healthy Cafe that serves hot lunches everyday and hot breakfast on Sundays.\u00a0 I was also told that the cafe is Vegetarian and Vegan friendly.<\/p>\n

The newest addition that MHHC has going on is its brand new getaway lodges, Big Red’s Lodges<\/a>!\u00a0 Now you might be thinking, “Andrea what? A getaway lodge at a Heart Health Center?”\u00a0 And I’m here to tell you, yes it’s true!<\/p>\n

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Just a short walk from the center itself, nestled on 30 acres of wooded land are the newest additions to MHHC, 4 new lodges<\/a>, each lodge housing two units.\u00a0 The lodges have patios and access to walking trails as well.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Each room is like having your very own posh suite.\u00a0 There’s a living room with a fireplace and cozy couch.\u00a0 Also there is a small wet bar with sink, small fridge, microwave, and coffee pot.\u00a0 There’s a very large bathroom and bedroom located right off of the living room.\u00a0 Each unit has free WiFi, satellite TV and a landline if needed.\u00a0 Riverside Security makes routine rounds and each unit has an emergency call button.<\/p>\n

The Heart Center has created Healthy Escape Weekends<\/a>.\u00a0 You can make reservations to stay at the lodge for either one night or two nights.\u00a0 A stay includes:<\/p>\n