Address & Hours
Optimal Fitness at Good Shepherd is an adaptive fitness center located in Allentown, PA, that supports the fitness and training goals of community members living with disabilities. A one-of-its-kind offering in the Lehigh Valley, Optimal Fitness provides a fully accessible gym and warm-water pool for people with spinal cord injury, stroke, neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis) and other chronic conditions.
Accessible men’s and women’s locker rooms with bathrooms, showers, mat tables, towels and single-day-use lockers also are available. There are three family-changing rooms for individuals who require dressing assistance from a caregiver. These rooms include a shower, mat table and bathroom area.
Optimal Fitness is open to the public, patients and Good Shepherd employees.
Features and Highlights
- Cardiovascular equipment, free weights and Nautilus equipment
- Fully accessible equipment for individuals of all abilities
- Exercise physiologist with specialized training
- Free parking in attached garage on S. 5th Street
- Additional services (fees apply):
- Personal training
- Fitness classes
- Alter G antigravity treadmill
- Warm-water pool*
Adaptive Gym Equipment
- 3 MotoMed machines
- 3 standing frames
- 4 NuStep machines
- Treadmills and ellipticals for cardiovascular conditioning
- FES Bike
- Parallel bars to assist with walking/ambulation skills
- Free weights, cable machine, Bosu and balance balls
- Wheelchair accessible strength machines
Membership Information
$35 monthly fee
No contract or initiation fee
$45 monthly fee
Water walking*
$60 monthly fee
Combination of the adaptive fitness center and water walking*
$5 per ride
Stim Bike
One-On-One Sessions
30 minutes – $25
Exercise Physiologist
60 minutes – $40
Exercise Physiologist
30 minutes – $25
Rec Therapist
60 minutes – $40
Rec Therapist
A scholarship program is available for financial assistance.
Good Shepherd Helps Wind Gap Resident Regain His Independence
Aquatic Pool Programs at Optimal Fitness
Independent Aquatic Exercise
This is a supervised aquatic exercise program for individuals who want to use a warm-water pool to improve and maintain function and mobility.
Mondays: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. – $20/month
Aqua Yoga/Pilates
This 8-week aquatic therapy program integrates Yoga and Pilates movements in a warm-water environment to increase relaxation, release stress, tone muscles and strengthen the body core.
Tuesdays: 5 – 5:45 p.m. – $60
Pediatric Pool Program
This unique 8-week program teaches children with disabilities water adjustment and learn-to-swim skills through the use of adaptive techniques and equipment to maximize independence in the water.
Note: The program requires an adult to accompany the child in the water throughout the session.
Wednesdays: 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. – $60
Ai Chi
This 8-week program is conducted in a warm-water pool with soft lights, soothing music and a relaxed atmosphere. Learn deep breathing techniques and flowing, coordinated movements to increase relaxation, range of motion and mobility.
Wednesdays: 5 – 5:45 p.m. – $60
Arthritis Pool Program
This is a warm-water exercise program for people with arthritis. It is designed to ease joint pain and increase mobility in the warm-water environment.
Thursdays: 5 – 5:45 p.m. – $8/session
Aqua Stretch
This is an individualized program guided by a therapist to work on stretching and movement techniques using manual pressure. The client and therapist work together to reduce tightness and pain while improving flexibility, relaxation, and overall function.
Schedule Individually: 1/2 hour – $17; 1 hour – $34
Learn to Swim
Under the guidance of a therapist, the client will develop or improve swimming skills, techniques and safety in the water.
Schedule Individually: 1/2 hour – $17; 1 hour – $34
Learn to Exercise
This is an individualized session with a therapist in the warm water to teach exercise techniques for increasing strength, endurance, range of motion and balance.
Schedule Individually: 1/2 hour – $17; 1 hour – $34
Water Walking Program
This is a supervised walking/exercise program designed to improve and maintain strength and mobility.
Scheduled times are Monday through Friday: 8 – 9:30 a.m.; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 2 – 3:30 p.m. – $42/month
*Doctor’s written prescription required for participation in any of the aquatic programs and classes
Contact Us
For more information about the adaptive fitness center at Optimal Fitness, to register for one of our aquatic pool programs or to sign up for a membership, call 610-776-3167.