Gyrotonic Body Strengthening And Conditioning Device Now Available At UPMC Center For Sports Medicine
New fitness trend useful for overall exercise and injury prevention
PITTSBURGH, October 28, 2004 The exercise system invented 25 years ago by Romanian fitness guru Juliu Horvath that has slowly become the latest in American fitness trends, especially on the West Coast, is now available in Pittsburgh at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine. The Gyrotonic Expansion System is an elaborate device that looks like a large weight lifting machine and incorporates Horvath's system of ropes, pulleys, weights and wheels for overall body strengthening and range-of-motion conditioning.
With movements that mimic such activities as swimming and canoeing, the Gyrotonic system can help serious and recreational athletes and physical performers such as golfers, cyclists, runners, dancers and gymnasts as well as non-athletes who want to improve muscle strength, flexibility and overall body conditioning through range-of-motion sequences.
"While exercise machines are very linear or concentrate on isolated movements and body parts, Gyrotonic combines planes of movement for a full-body exercise program. The combination of strengthening the entire body throughout the available range of motion may be helpful for injury prevention," said Erica Coffey, a physical therapist and sports certified specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and the Centers for Rehab Services, a partner of UPMC.
Individuals who use the Gyrotonic at UPMC are initially and carefully directed and supervised by specially trained, Gyrotonic-certified physical therapists or allied health professionals before exercising on their own. Generally, clients are prescribed hour-long
Gyrotonic sessions at least twice a week along with one's regular exercise routine to achieve maximum benefits. The program also includes short exercise routines to be done at home at the client's convenience to supplement the training done with the certified teacher.
Hour-long sessions with the Gryotonic, directed by a certified physical therapist or allied health professional, cost $60 each. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call UPMC Center for Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Department at 412-432-3700.