LOWELL --- Sitting back, 74-year-old Vernon Wietbrock's legs continuously move, making his workout on the recumbent bike appear effortless.

Carrie Austgen, the owner of Fitness Edge -- where Wietbrock, of Lowell, is a regular -- said seeing Wietbrock on the bike is a real kick. He suffers from Parkinson's Disease.

"It's so rewarding to see...When he first came in, he could barely move," she said.

Wietbrock is among an increasing trend of people who are using gyms more for health reasons than for building muscles and getting buff.

Wietbrock said his doctor recommended the gym, and he spends an hour and a half there every day it's open.

"With the Parkinson's, I get so stiff," he said. "I come every day to get loosened up."

Wietbrock's circumstances are not unusual, Austgen said.

"It's not just about being buff anymore," Austgen said. "We see a lot more people because their doctor has said they need to work out."

Open since 2000 at 289 Westmeadow Place in Lowell, Austgen said the focus of her gym has clearly shifted: It's now commonplace to work with clients who have been injured, or, for instance, had hip replacement surgery.

Bonnie Kenney, manager and personal trainer, said that's why continuing education is so important for her and other trainers at the gym.

Last year, Fitness Edge member Jack Wilson, 67, of Lowell, lost 30 pounds in the gym's weight loss program at the time.

"I came because I wanted to lose weight, and my doctor suggested going to a gym," Wilson said. "I've kept it off. I was on high blood pressure and cholesterol medicines, and my doctor has been able to drop them in half."

Wilson said he plans to sign on with Fuel by Day, Diet by Night, Fitness Edge's weight loss/nutrition program that is scheduled to begin Oct. 18.

Participants will be required to keep journals and work toward specific challenges each week, Austgen said, adding the emphasis will be on healthy breakfasts and midday meals.

Fuel by Day, Diet by Night is open to Fitness Edge members.

On Oct. 18, however, health and wellness screenings will be made available at a cost, depending on the screenings desired, for the public in general.