Council of the Southern Mountains

COUNCIL OF THE SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS FITNESS CENTER

FITNESS CENTER STAFF INCLUDE:  GARNET EDWARDS, WVU SPORTS HALL  OF FAME; MARY LEWIS AND RUTH PAYNE, RECOGNIZED AREA FITNESS TRAINERS .

The Council of Southern Mountains continues operation of a fitness center to serve the needs of McDowell County citizens.  The facility is located at 148 McDowell Street in downtown Welch, WV.  The center is fully equipped and is open Monday through Saturday.  The times during the week are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays with Sundays being closed. 

The Center is certified through the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and the Humana Silver Sneakers program.  A certified Nutritionist/Dietician/ExercisePhysiologist/Trainer are on staff.  Staff will also be on duty at all times who are trained in CPR, First Aid and A.E.D utilization.  There is also a Fitness Technician to assist patrons with the exercise equipment.

 The facility is being made possible because of the help of the American Legion, Post 8, Commander Charles Honaker, state representatives of the PEIA, Nidia Henderson and Virginia Manchin. 

McDowell County is frequently cited in news reports regarding the epidemic of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and depression. In a recent study issued by Harvard University, McDowell County was cited as the lowest county in the nation for life expectancy. According to the WV Bureau for Public Health, 44% of the people engage in no physical activity, while the prevalence of obesity is 36.1%, diabetes is 14.9%; hypertension is 42.4% and high cholesterol is 49.7%.

McDowell County, according to U.S. Census Bureau health status data compares McDowell County to the state and the nation and reveals disease rates that are significantly worse than the entire United States rate. Four of these diseases: heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and suicide are life-style susceptible illnesses. These major diseases can be influenced with high-quality primary care and intervention and this provides the justification for a quality, state-of-the-art fitness facility in McDowell County.  The center will also strive to include wellness education.  

            For more information about becoming a member, please contact CSM staff at 304-436-6800.