Gym Dandy
To attract new members, the region's best gyms and health clubs are adding
features and trimming fees.
By Jennifer Basso
 THE
GYM
99 Business Park Drive, Armonk
219-1601, www.gettothegym.com
What’s New: This sleek and sophisticated gym has added
features, including a slew of new group exercise classes. There’s Circuit
Circus, a cardio and strength class; Lift-n-Leap, which combines weights with
plyometrics for strenuous cardio; and Bodies in Motion, a fusion of yoga and
Pilates. Yoga enthusiasts will love the new Gentle Yoga and Yoga for Athletes
classes. A Core Method studio opened in the fall offering mat classes that work
the entire body by integrating muscle shaping, fat burning, elongating principles
of dance, and the science of physical therapy. New classes have been added to
the youth program, including Core Blast, a workout that focuses on the abdominal
area, and Stride, which is like a treadmill version of Spinning. And with the
recent addition of Jodi’s Gym, children as young as 15 months can begin
their fitness regimen in Mommy and Me and Tumbling Tots classes. Anybody signing
up for a Jodi’s Gym class receives a complimentary workout from The GYM.
The specialty classes such as Core Method and Kinesis are fee-based, although
members receive a discount. The rest of the more than 100 classes offered are
free with membership.
The spa also has its share of new additions including salon blow-outs, facial
treatments such as microdermabrasion, and Botox injections by Dr. Salvatore
Farruggio, a board-certified plastic surgeon with offices in Scarsdale and Manhattan.
The Deal: Members that sign up in January pay no enrollment
fee and get three personal training sessions, one Kinesis circuit training session,
one Pilates reformer session, one goal assessment with a weight management specialist,
and five guest passes. Annual membership is $120 per month; month-to-month membership
costs $140 with the option to freeze or cancel your account at any time.
 CLUB
FIT
600 Bank Road, Jefferson Valley
245-4040, www.clubfit.com
What’s New: Stop by this family-friendly facility and
check out the new Parisi Speed School. This nationally renowned training program
was founded in 1992 by Bill Parisi, an Iona graduate and track and field athlete
who qualified for the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials. The Parisi Training Program
is designed to enhance athletic performance and self-esteem through state-of-the
art training techniques. Special programs are available for everyone from the
very young (age 5 to 6) to high school and college-age athletes and even adults
looking for an intense small group training program. All of the Parisi programs
take place at the Parisi Training Center within the club and the programs are
not part of the membership. Members of the club, however, do receive a discounted
rate. Some other new classes are TRX Suspension Training, a bodyweight suspension
training class designed to build strength, improve balance, flexibility, and
core stability at all fitness levels, and T-Mill Hill, a treadmill group exercise
class. All of the classes are free with membership, as is racquetball, a popular
feature at this club.
The Deal: Membership packages start at $123 for singles, $76
for couples (each), and $65 for family (each family member). The enrollment
fee is waived if you enroll in January. A new physician’s referral membership
has been installed this past year. The HelpRx membership program is designed
to slowly introduce new members into an exercise routine while working with
a fitness professional on goals and lifestyle changes. The 90-day program is
$150, and signing up after that will waive the enrollment fee.
 SOULCYCLE
7 Popham Road, Scarsdale
713-1200, www.soul-cycle.com
What’s New: Everything! This brand new Scarsdale cycle
studio is the Westchester outpost of the hugely popular Manhattan temple to
Spinning. With state-of-the-art equipment, locker rooms with showers (a suburban
plus), and a life-size mural of an open road plastered on the wall, SoulCycle
offers a 45-minute full-body workout on the bike. You might find yourself spending
the entire workout riding in candlelight; co-founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie
Rice believe a great workout reaches the spiritual and emotional core of our
being. But don’t get too mellow. In addition to an intense cardio workout,
cyclists use hand weights and do core exercises to strengthen and sculpt.
The Deal: Cyclists can pay $32 per class or purchase packages
of up to 50 rides. Parents who are members of the neighboring Citibabes family
club will have access to childcare while exercising at Soul Cycle. No worries
over parking either; the club provides either complimentary valet parking or
a free parking spot in the nearby municipal lot.
 CLUB
@ 1133 SPORTS & FITNESS
1133 Westchester Ave., White Plains
694-4841, www.callawaysportsgroup.com
What’s New: This 1-year-old fitness center includes an
interactive golf simulator that lets players take on more than 30 renowned courses
around the world, from St. Andrews in Scotland to Pebble Beach in California,
in all kinds of simulated weather. A three-way camera can measure the launch,
speed, carry, and even backspin of the ball. The simulator is available to rent
for corporate or private parties, and it is not included with the membership
to the fitness club; however members receive discounted rates to use the machine.
The club also offers sports physiologist and golf fitness coach Skip Latella’s
patented Flexor Swing Method, a training program included with any purchase
of a golf package. If golf isn’t your bag, there’s plenty of weight
training and cardio equipment. Personal training is also big here and so is
relaxing now that Rachele Rose Day Spa has opened on the premises.
The Deal: Members joining this facility also have access to
the Callaway Sports Group’s other location at the Club @ 800 in Rye Brook.
Annual membership costs $299 with no sign-up fees; month-to-month is $39 plus
$79 enrollment fee. League fees for golf run from $20 per round; $65 monthly;
and for a full, 12-week season, $179.
 APOGEE
140 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains 644-8884
170 Harris Road, Bedford Hills 244-1606
www.apogeelifestyle.com
What’s New: Since its inception almost one year ago,
this palatial fitness and wellness center has added more classes and equipment,
as well as a new facility in Bedford Hills. In fact, Apogee has taken the wellness
concept to a whole other level. The center recently installed six towers at
each location, introduced intermediate and advanced mat classes, and, in the
White Plains locale, added a cardio circuit class. Spin classes have begun at
the Bedford Hills center. At the request of their members, early morning and
evening classes are now available at both locations. The newest member to join
the team is integrative health advisor Woodson Merrell, M.D. There is also a
registered dietician available for nutrition counseling, and a life coach. Membership
is not required to take part in these a la carte services. If you’re just
looking for a healthy bite, the café expanded its menu to include fresh
organic foods, smoothies, soups, and salads. Cooking demonstrations are open
to the public.
The Deal: There are a variety of membership packages to choose
from starting at $95 and with any package, members are entitled to unlimited
group studio classes and access to cardio equipment, a $100 Apogee gift card,
15 percent savings on all Apogee private and semi-private Pilates and specialty
classes, 15 percent savings on retail and select café purchases, 10 guest
passes, and invitations to special members-only events. And as always, valet
parking is complimentary at the White Plains location.
 SAW
MILL CLUB
77 Kensico Drive, Mount Kisco
241-0797, www.sawmillclub.com
What’s New: Saw Mill Club members expect the best in
expertise, facilities, and cushy amenities and they get them—from tennis,
fitness, aquatics, yoga, group exercise (they’re the largest Zumba center
in the county), Spin, massage, and a children’s center, right down to
the heated tile floors in the women’s locker room. Recently, they’ve
added the only double Kinesis facility in the region and new classes, including
Healing Yoga and Soul Spin, all of which are included in the membership at no
additional charge. Other offerings include the new USTA Junior Quick Start tennis
program, Skillful Living classes to help reduce and control weight, and onsite
physical therapy with Rob Castorina. Northern Westchester Hospital has partnered
with Saw Mill Club to develop programs for weight loss, nutrition, and select
wellness initiatives. And on a more playful note, kids will love the expanded
roster of Encore dance classes, and Monique helps plan their onsite parties.
Willy Nick’s Café serves up gourmet delights.
The Deal: Memberships are $147 a month for singles, $269 for
couples, and $299 for families (regardless of size). Discounted senior and junior
rates as well as corporate rates are available. During January, deduct an extra
$50 off enrollment fees, get three free personal training sessions, 50 percent
off your first massage, one free tennis lesson, one free swim lesson, 20 percent
off your first-time purchase at Mt. Kisco Sports, a $5 coupon to Willy Nick’s
Café, and two guest passes.
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