I got an email recently offering me a session at a gym that I was not familiar with. It said, “Over the last few years, GhFitlab has worked with Dr. Uri Heller, Ph.D. to develop Health Intelligence. This system uses cutting-edge assessment tools and customized coaching plans are specific for each person, and founded in the science of behavioral physiology. I thought you may be interested in trying out this science based exercise protocol for yourself.” Um, yes, please! I love the behavioral psych approach. I was a wee bit skeptical that this approach was necessary for me, but I am always interested in trying something new.
GhFitlab was created to “take the risk out of starting a new exercise program.” Instead of just seeing a trainer, their team of coaches and case managers assess your “Health Intelligence” using the science of behavior change and tailor a program uniquely suited to you with a focus on sustainability. Their method is clinically tested and proven to be effective.
GhFitlab’s mission is to “improve physical health, energy and happiness by empowering and educating
individuals to exercise and live better.” Their vision is “to help create a standard of care for exercise and lifestyle interventions that is accessible and available to all who need it.” Good stuff. I am pretty sure that my gym, though awesome, does not have this broad mission and vision.
Before going in, they sent me a motivation survey to test my “health intelligence” and motivation. It reminded me of some of my Psych major days in college. I know that I am very motivated to work out – sometimes too much. On the first visit, one of the coaches reviews your results with you and helps you to understand how your personality and motivation will influence your program. Then you work on a plan and set goals for the first twelve week session. They recommend 2 one hour training sessions per week in addition to some other diet and lifestyle changes. For ongoing clients, they take a series of forty measurements to track during the weeks ahead. Several weeks in there is also additional counseling.
When I arrived, I spoke to Mark, the CEO, and he reviewed my survey results with me. He said if I was to work with a trainer, the focus would be on improving balance (life balance, not the falling over kind) and patience. That is very astute. Mark told me that their approach is on form and function. They have many endurance athletes as well as people just starting out on the path to a healthy lifestyle. They have highly trained coaches who work with clients. They suggested that for runners like me they would focus on building and measuring strength, flexibility and balance. The classic workout with no gimmicks and the collection of data to measure progress appeals to me. They do not do cardio with their clients, but prescribe it into a workout plan.
After our chat, Peter, a very fit soccer player, took me through some exercises and focused on form and isolating muscles. They use weight machines and body weight exercises primarily. He had me do exercises as I normally do and corrected my form. I could really see the difference and feel the muscles working after the corrections.
GhFitlab has two locations – one in Glenview and the one in Bucktown where I visited. The gym is very clean and up to date. The first level of the program is 12 weeks. They have three levels of service: the basic level, Fundamentals; Quantum, a more intensive program; and the new Platinum program. Most of their clients do the Fundamentals program, which is $695 per month and includes 2 one hour personal training sessions per week, so you get 8 to 10 sessions per month. This is pretty similar to the pricing at my gym for personal training and you get the added health intelligence services at intake and part way through, as well as detailed tracking of progress.
They told me that clients who opt for the Quantum and Platinum programs tend to fall into two categories: people with limited time and people who feel they need extra help to achieve their health goals. The difference from Fundamentals is the level of involvement they take. There is more focus on “case management.” There is a stronger emphasis on lifestyle in the higher-tier programs. They even go grocery shopping with clients, meet families and they’ve even been known to go to doctor’s appointments with clients.
As they said, this seems like a terrific gym for executives with little time and for people who are trying to make a new/big lifestyle change. The gym is super clean and the staff is very professional. As nice as the staff and gym are, I could not help but feel that this gym was not really “for me.” The Bucktown location is not convenient to my apartment, but there is ample parking. I guess the real issue was that I noticed that there were only men working out when I was there, although they do have clients of all ages and genders. They indicated that they have many triathletes and marathoners who workout with them, too, but I did not see any or get that vibe in the Bucktown location. That said, I am sure that I would benefit from working with them as most people would due to the highly tailored approach and measurement of progress.
In addition to these programs, the GhFitlab team is working on some clinical trials using their proven approach. Get more information here.
Interested? You can get a free session, too! You can also keep up with GhFitlab on Facebook and Twitter.
Have you tried any new workouts lately?
PS. Don’t forget my active giveaways.
Please note: I was provided with a free consultation and workout in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.