Fit to Print Volume 22, Issue 4 : December 2013 | Page 19

Mind Body Spirit

by Karen Britton

Smells Like FI Spirit
Putting the Incentive in Fitness Incentive
State of the Art Cardio, Circa 1991

members and employees, but their kids
come here as well, and all grown up. A
reality check for me as far as getting
older, but also to remember time goes
quickly so enjoy every moment and
don't get caught up in the small stuff.
I must say, these longtime members and
employees, haven't changed much.
Everyone looks great! Its like Cocoon
#3! An ageless place!
I've watched the Fitness Incentive grow
from the tiny place on Grove Place,
then to Main Street, and when you

I

t was 1991 and I was looking for a gym.
A good friend of mine said to me, “You
have to go to the Fitness Incentive in
Babylon Village. It's great and the owner
Corinne is amazing!” So I took her advice
and went. As you can see that was
twenty-three years ago and I'm still here!
Not only do I take classes here, but also
I've been given the wonderful opportunity
to teach yoga. I've met so many wonderful
people and see the same wonderful
people that I met way back when! I'm
grateful for having this. Thank you Jaime
Wolfthal for turning me on to Fitness
Incentive!
The first time I walked into the Fitness
Incentive it was located on Grove Place. A
tiny place it was, perhaps as big as the
yoga room is now! Included in that space
was the nursery and the one and only tiny
bathroom…..unisex! I remember the days
changing into my spandex, thong
leotards….geeze I hope that style never
returns because that's one fashion wagon
I'm not jumping on again! I remember the
first time I walked in and saw Cathy
Peacock’s beautiful smile that still greets
us all today. She was pregnant with her
first daughter Kelsey and ready to pop!
Corinne already had popped! She recently
gave birth to her daughter Jourdan, who
now has graduated from college and
works here at the Fitness Incentive. It's
crazy to think how fast time goes, but I
love seeing Jourdan here—it keeps the
spirit alive. What do I mean by this? One
of the things I see at the Fitness Incentive
is not just so many longtime members,
but longtime employees! That says a lot
about the management, a lot of great
things! Not only do I see the longtime

The lights go out, you lie
down, close your eyes,
listen to soft music and
Cathy's amazing relaxing
voice guides you through
gentle stretches and time
to relax in between.
thought it could not get better, the
move came here to Deer Park Avenue.
Talk about incentive! The staff always
had a way to give you that incentive.
They must have, because when
treadmills first came around, Fitness
had them. Oh but nothing like now! One
needed a lot of incentive back then.
The treadmills faced a white blank
wall! I remember one member said that
she memorized every dot on that wall.
No televisions mounted from ceilings
and no built-in televisions on the
treadmill—they didn't exist yet. But yet
we still got on them and did our
workouts. Those workouts were timed
back then, sign up sheets, and we could
only stay on for 30 minutes! If we got
an extra five minutes, what a bonus! ; )
Machines facing a blank wall were very
popular! Lol But seriously think about
it. Look how we have become attached
to technology. We don't leave much
room for conversation with others. Or
even just to “BE” in the moment and
enjoy ourselves. We have become
addicted to being entertained at all
Holidays 2013 FIT to Print

times.
Which brings me to the present time. The
Fitness Incentive is as great as always.
Now beaming with all kinds of incentives,
the place gives off so much energy—it's so
alive. What's interesting is that every
space of the Fitness gets used and it's all
filled with great energy. But sometimes
with all this movement we can get lost.
Technology is an amazing thing and having
so many choices is great as well. But
sometimes it's nice to just slow it down.
With the Holidays upon us, the stress of it
all, (if we allow it of course) Fitness
Incentive offers you even more incentive.
The classes don't stop nor should you.
There is one class on the schedule that
should not be overlooked. The Stretch
class, it should be called the Stretch and
RELAX class. Cathy Peacock teaches this
amazing class. The lights go out, you lie
down, close your eyes, listen to soft music
and Cathy's amazing relaxing voice guides
you through gentle stretches and time to
relax in between. One feels so open and
relaxed. It's the best way to unwind, a
holiday treat you must give yourself! Make
it a holiday even if one is not around, it's
a great gift for yourself. This is the class
you can take to disconnect from the
technology and just “BE” in the moment
with yourself. Trust me you will fe ??)???????
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