Scholarship Memberships

Available for those who qualify — please don't hesitate to ask. Your health is too important to be governed by your financial situation.

Corporate Rates

For businesses and large organizations — like school districts. Ask the front desk about group pricing for your team.

Student & Senior Rates

High school and college memberships are available, as are senior rates.

Short-Term Memberships

In Bigfork for a few days or weeks? There's a membership solution for that, too.

Planning a trip? Confirm access & hours before you go.

Reciprocal partners change seasonally — call ahead and we'll confirm current access at your destination.

What is PNOE metabolic testing?

PNOE (pronounced "P-no-ee") is a medical-grade metabolic analyzer that measures how your body produces and burns energy at rest and during exercise. By analyzing the gases you exhale — oxygen consumed and carbon dioxide produced — it maps your complete metabolic profile: resting metabolic rate, fat-vs-carbohydrate burn ratios, cardiorespiratory fitness level and metabolic age.

The result is not an estimate based on height and weight. It is a direct measurement of your individual physiology — the kind of data previously available only in clinical or research settings.

Where can I get metabolic testing in the Flathead Valley?

Montana Athletic Club in Bigfork offers PNOE metabolic testing through the on-site Elysian Institute at 850 Holt Drive — the only location in the Flathead Valley offering this level of metabolic analysis. Members from Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Polson and across the valley make the trip specifically for this test.

What does an InBody scan measure?

The InBody scan uses bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure your body's composition with clinical precision. In under a minute, it produces a full segmental breakdown: lean muscle mass in each limb, body fat percentage, visceral fat level, skeletal muscle mass, total body water and a basal metabolic rate estimate — everything a scale cannot tell you.

Unlike BMI calculations, the InBody shows exactly where your muscle is distributed and where your fat is stored. Re-test every 4–6 weeks and you can see whether your program is building muscle, reducing fat or doing both simultaneously — in numbers, not feelings.

What is PNOE metabolic testing?

PNOE is a medical-grade metabolic analyzer that measures how your body produces and burns energy by analyzing your exhaled breath gases. It produces your resting metabolic rate, the ratio of fat versus carbohydrate your body burns, your cardiorespiratory fitness level and your metabolic age — precise data previously available only in clinical research settings. Available at Montana Athletic Club in Bigfork through the Elysian Institute.

Where can I get metabolic testing in the Flathead Valley?

Montana Athletic Club in Bigfork offers PNOE metabolic testing through the on-site Elysian Institute at 850 Holt Drive — the only location in the Flathead Valley offering this level of metabolic analysis. Members travel from Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Polson and across the valley for the test.

What does an InBody scan measure?

An InBody scan uses bioelectrical impedance to measure lean muscle mass in each body segment, total body fat percentage, visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass, body water balance and an estimated basal metabolic rate — all in under 45 seconds. Unlike a scale, it shows the composition of your body so you can distinguish fat loss from muscle gain.

Can I get blood work done at my gym?

At the Montana Athletic Club, yes. The Elysian Institute at 850 Holt Drive offers certified lab blood draws on site. Full biomarker panels cover hormones, thyroid function, inflammatory markers, lipid panel, metabolic panel, glucose and insulin response, iron, vitamin D and more. No separate lab trip required.

How do I know if my training is working?

The most reliable answer is a combination of re-testing at regular intervals: an InBody scan every 4–6 weeks to track changes in muscle and fat mass, a follow-up blood panel after 8–12 weeks to see how biomarkers have shifted, and periodic PNOE retests to check whether cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic efficiency are improving. Together these three data points make progress — or its absence — impossible to miss.

The InBody test cannot be used by anyone with a pacemaker or other implanted electronic medical device.

The trainable muscle separated from organs and body water. This is the number to protect when losing weight — if it falls alongside fat mass, the program needs adjustment. If it holds or rises while fat falls, the program is working.

Total fat in kilograms and as a percentage of body weight. The percentage provides context the raw number alone cannot — two people of identical weight but different composition face completely different training priorities.

Fat stored around the abdominal organs, reported in square centimeters — distinct from subcutaneous fat stored under the skin. The InBody estimates and tracks it over time using the same impedance measurement.

Lean mass measured across five compartments: both arms, both legs and trunk. Left-right imbalances and a weak trunk show up as numbers rather than guesses — useful for injury prevention, rehab tracking and strength programming.

Split into intracellular (inside cells) and extracellular (outside cells). Roughly 60% of body weight in men and 55% in women is water, and fat-free tissue is about 73% water — which is why hydration moves your reading. Body water is best read as a consistency check on the test, not as a health metric.

An estimate of calories burned at complete rest, derived from lean mass rather than height and weight. Because muscle burns more at rest than fat does, two people of identical weight can have meaningfully different resting calorie requirements.

Let your body fluids settle before testing. If you’ve been sitting in a car or at a desk, stand and move for a few minutes.

Food and drink in your system affects body water distribution, which directly moves the impedance reading.

Intense exercise causes temporary fluid shifts and muscle swelling. Test 1 to 3 days after a hard session, not the morning after.

A full bladder adds water weight that will show up in your reading. Use the restroom immediately before the test.

Heat exposure and water immersion both shift body water temporarily. Avoid sauna, steam room and pool sessions before testing.

Test at the same time of day, in the same hydration state, after the same type of preparation. The consistency of your protocol is what makes the trend meaningful.

Is this test for me?

An InBody scan is useful for anyone who wants to know what their body is actually made of. It is especially valuable for:

• Anyone whose scale weight has stalled while their clothes fit differently — the scan will show whether composition is shifting.
• Anyone in a calorie deficit wanting to confirm they are losing fat rather than muscle.
• Anyone over 50 tracking skeletal muscle mass as part of healthy aging.
• Anyone starting with a personal trainer who wants a real baseline before day one.
• Anyone returning from injury checking whether strength and lean mass on the affected side has caught back up.

How often to retest

Every 4 to 12 weeks, depending on how actively your training or nutrition is changing.

More often than every 4 weeks and you are mostly measuring normal water fluctuations rather than genuine changes in muscle or fat tissue. Those take time to build or reduce in a way the scan can detect.

If you are working with a MAC personal trainer, they will typically schedule your retests at 6 to 8 week intervals to align with training blocks.

What does an InBody scan measure?

An InBody scan measures skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass and percentage, visceral fat area, segmental lean analysis across both arms, both legs and trunk, total body water split into intracellular and extracellular, and an estimated basal metabolic rate — all in under 60 seconds.

How long does an InBody test take?

Between 15 and 60 seconds depending on the device, plus a few minutes for setup and removing shoes and socks. A MAC team member walks you through your printed result sheet after the scan.

How should I prepare for an InBody scan?

Stand upright for 5 to 10 minutes before testing. Wait at least 3 hours after eating. Test 1 to 3 days after hard exercise rather than the morning after. Empty your bladder first. Avoid testing after sauna, steam or a long swim. Repeat under the same conditions every time — consistency matters more than perfection.

Is the InBody test included in my membership?

Yes. InBody scanning is included with your MAC membership. Stop by the front desk or ask a team member to get your first scan scheduled.

How often should I get tested?

Every 4 to 12 weeks. More often than 4 weeks and you are mostly measuring normal water fluctuations rather than genuine changes in muscle or fat.

Can anyone use the InBody?

The InBody test cannot be used by anyone with a pacemaker or other implanted electronic medical device. For all other members, there are no age or fitness-level restrictions.

The only two values the device actually measures. Oxygen consumed in and carbon dioxide produced out. From these two numbers, every other output is derived. Knowing this helps you understand what the test can and cannot tell you.

The ratio of CO₂ produced to oxygen consumed. Around 0.7 indicates predominantly fat being burned. Around 1.0 indicates predominantly carbohydrate. Most people sit near 0.8 at rest. The ratio shifts with exercise intensity — tracking where it shifts is how the analyzer identifies your personal crossover point.

The proportion of each fuel source your body uses at a given intensity, and the crossover point — the specific exercise intensity at which carbohydrate overtakes fat as the dominant fuel. This typically lands around 60 to 70% of maximum aerobic capacity, but is individual, which is the entire reason to measure rather than assume.

The calories your body burns simply existing — accounting for roughly 60 to 75% of total daily energy expenditure. Online calculators estimating RMR from height, weight, age and sex can be off by 20% or more at the individual level. A direct measurement replaces the estimate with an actual number.

The maximum rate at which your body can take up and use oxygen, expressed in millilitres per kilogram per minute. It is the single best established measure of cardiorespiratory fitness and responds directly to training.

Zones derived from your measured physiology rather than from an age-based heart-rate formula. Formula-based zones assume a population average. Measured zones reflect you — which is why people who have always trained “hard enough” by feel often discover they have been consistently in the wrong zone.

What is PNOE metabolic testing?

PNOE is a medical-grade metabolic analyzer that measures how your body produces and burns energy by analyzing the gases you exhale — specifically oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. From those two measurements it calculates your resting metabolic rate, the ratio of fat versus carbohydrate your body burns at different intensities, your VO2 max and personalised training zones based on your actual physiology.

Where can I get metabolic testing in the Flathead Valley?

Montana Athletic Club in Bigfork offers PNOE metabolic testing through the on-site Elysian Institute at 850 Holt Drive — the only location in the Flathead Valley offering this level of metabolic analysis. Members travel from Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson specifically for this test.

What is the difference between a VO2 max test and a resting metabolic rate test?

A resting metabolic rate test is done sitting or reclining quietly for 10 to 15 minutes. The result is a precise calorie baseline — how many calories you burn simply existing. A VO2 max test involves a progressive exercise ramp that gets harder in stages until you reach your limit. The result is your maximum aerobic capacity and your true training zones.

How should I prepare for a metabolic test?

Do not eat for at least 3 to 4 hours before a resting metabolic rate test. Avoid caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. No hard exercise on the day of the test. Arrive early and sit quietly before starting. Wear exercise clothing for a VO2 max test. The Elysian team will give you specific instructions when you book — follow theirs over any general guidance.

Does metabolic testing measure my hormones?

No. Breath analysis measures gas exchange — specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide. It does not measure hormones and cannot assess thyroid function, cortisol or estrogen. PNOE is not a diagnostic test and a result is not a diagnosis. For hormone-related testing, the Elysian Institute’s blood panels are the relevant option.

How often should I retest?

Every 3 to 6 months, or after a significant training block. Retesting shows whether your resting metabolic rate has shifted and whether your training zones have changed — both of which happen as fitness improves.

Full lab blood panels are available in the same building as the MAC, processed by a certified laboratory, and ordered and reviewed by the Elysian Institute’s medical team. The Elysian Institute is a full clinical-grade facility operating at 850 Holt Drive — same address, same front door as the Montana Athletic Club.

The MAC is a fitness and wellness facility. Elysian is the medical provider. The distinction matters because it means the blood draw, the panel selection and the result interpretation all belong to qualified clinical professionals, not gym staff.

For training purposes, why does this matter? Body composition testing measures structure. Metabolic testing measures energy use. Blood work shows the internal picture — the markers that neither of the other two tests can reach. Having all three available under one roof is unusual for a health club anywhere in Montana.

Typically 8 to 12 hours, but this depends on the panel. Confirm with Elysian when you book.

Stay hydrated. Do not restrict water unless the Elysian team specifically advises otherwise.

Bring a complete list of everything you take regularly — prescription medications, supplements, vitamins. This matters for accurate interpretation.

Several markers vary through the day. Morning appointments, before normal daily activity begins, tend to produce the most consistent baselines.

The Elysian team knows which panel you are having. Their preparation guidance is specific to your situation.

Is this right for me?

Blood work is useful for anyone who wants their training and nutrition decisions grounded in internal data rather than assumption. It is especially relevant for:

• Anyone combining it with metabolic testing and body composition for a complete baseline at the start of a new program.
• Anyone who wants to retest periodically and see the direction of travel as training and nutrition change.
• Anyone who prefers their trainer to have real data to work from rather than starting from assumptions.

How often to retest

Retest timing is a clinical decision. The Elysian team will advise based on the panel and your individual situation.

The MAC does not publish a recommended retest interval for blood work. What the right interval looks like depends on what was found, what has changed and what the Elysian medical team recommends for you.