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Healthcare in Barrington

The health and wellness needs of the Barrington community are constantly changing and so are the resources available to them. Many programs come from hospitals and local health organizations that focus on specific areas of concern for residents. “The Barrington community as a whole is educated on and dedicated to issues concerning quality healthcare and wellness,” said Peg Campana, Good Shepherd Health & Fitness Center. “Barrington has high community standards and with those standards come individual standards set just as high. People are concerned and committed to a healthy lifestyle.”

For many people, both young and old, a proactive approach in learning better health habits for life is their desire. Families, healthcare facilities, businesses and schools are all involved in working together for a better, healthy Barrington. “Partnerships with the school district are helping to focus on the increasing problem of obesity in young adults. This is a major concern,” said Campana.

Julie Mayer, Community Outreach Manager for Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital says that the work with Barrington school district's wellness council is an important step toward helping children establish lifelong habits centered around exercise and healthy eating. The hospital also sponsors a health coalition that surveys Barrington residents to identify and then address the health needs of people living in the area.

Some people are looking for help with a gradual yet continuous regimen of treatments for certain conditions or possibly to aid in a recovery process. Sometimes this conditioning process needs to move a little slower and with more focus on the way an individual’s overall mind/body control works. Campana added, “We have noticed that with our new Pilates studio, members and nonmembers with medical restrictions are benefiting tremendously from it.” Whichever system or whatever needs a resident is looking for, he or she can find it in the Barrington community.

Exercise is universally accepted as one of the best means to gain strength, to keep the circulatory system flowing and the respiratory system clean and to relieve the stress of everyday life. In Barrington, there are many outlets available to residents in the daily pursuit of good health. Local health clubs and spas are dedicated to helping people become more cognizant of the pitfalls of poor diet and no exercise. “The South Barrington Club has served the Barrington community for over 41 years with tennis and aquatic activities,” said Jay Morgan, South Barrington Club Facility Manager. “We opened our fitness center in the 1980s. Now we have six trainers. During that time, structured classes have become more popular, with instructors working out with the class. We even have an early morning ‘boot camp’ class at 5:30 AM.” People are committed to gaining a healthier lifestyle and keeping it.

Buehler YMCA, located in nearby Palatine, offers a staggering 120 fitness classes per week at their facility which also has 19,000 members and a great deal of space to accommodate them. Assistant Health Enhancement Director Milos Babic says that the “Group Groove” cardio dance class is especially popular and that “exercisers just love it.”

Adults and children can also join athletic leagues. The Barrington Area Park District has basketball and tennis courts, football and soccer fields, baseball and softball, swimming, golf and many other activities to help keep residents active, connected and healthy. Most of these district offerings are either free or at a minimal rate.

Exercise is crucial to overall wellness, but a good diet goes a long way toward a healthy body too. Personal training is a great option for those who want a balanced approach toward living a healthier lifestyle. Agatha Magiera is a co-owner of LIFT, a personal training and fitness facility, and she is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Every trainer at LIFT holds a national certification and many specialize in specific areas such as weight loss or personal training for the elderly. Trainers can be an important source of knowledge — even for veteran exercisers — and also a great motivator for those just beginning an exercise or weight loss program.

There are many organizations addressing the people of Barrington’s health and wellness needs. No matter what the service being offered, each is doing their part to improve an individual’s lifestyle — which consequently supports the health of the entire Barrington community.