Fit to Print Volume 23 Issue 2: June 2014 | Page 17

We'll Try Anything Once!
Interviewed by Paul Smith

T

hat's what we like to hear at Fitness
Fitness Incentive because...
where I, too, pretty much confined
Incentive! Through it's thirty years of
FV: Again for me it was because of
myself to the treadmills. I've done quite
operation, FI has striven constantly to
friends. A couple of girlfriends were
a bit with Kelly, including Power X Fit,
keep things fresh because, while many
already going here and they said such
and while I may not be as fully immersed
people are devoted to a particular class
wonderful things that I decided to join
as the others, I feel as though I've found
or instructor, we know that a lot also
myself. I had been sort of aware of
my niche. Those "Kelly" classes...
respond with interest and stimulation to
Fitness Incentive, but because I'd been
They're pretty tough! I've been humbled
new and different exercise options.
working in the city, it just didn't seem
quite a few times.
Of course, while some classes and
practical at the time. And, like
AP: Quick question: does the gym still
Amanda, I've sampled a whole lot of
programs (and the instructors and
use color coding to identify classes in
what the gym has to offer.
trainers who create them) develop
terms of difficulty or level?
PS: That's what we like to hear!
devoted followings that last years, it's
PS: Yes...certainly on the printed
FV: Yes...our group is fond of saying,
worth remembering that these enduring
schedule, colors are used to differentiate
“We'll try anything once!”
offerings—honored veterans for those of
between, say, beginner, intermediate,
Mari Neuberger: I actually was a
advanced...
us with longer memories—seem new and
member for the first time when the
AP: I can remember being terrified of
fresh to more recent FI members who
gym was still on Main Street. I was still
taking an orange-level class! They were
don't necessarliy remember Main
the hardest and I lived in
Street—or Grove Place,
fear of orange. And then,
for that matter.
after I finally did take
It's gratifying to know that
one, I remember being
what Fitness incentive
mind-blown. Everyone
offers is experienced by
kept up, and all the while
members as diversified
Kelly led us and matched
and with enough
us move-for-move, calling
refreshment and variety
out and directing the
that there is always
entire time she was doing
something new to try.
it. Amazing.
After all when it comes to
MN: The first trainer I
“building bodies that
worked with encouraged
last,” boredom can be an
me to incorporate
enemy of considerable
something into my routine
strength. That's why we
besides the elliptical, and
endeavor to “keep it
Ready for Adventure: Dave, Amanda, Mari and Frances
that's when I tried Spin for
fresh”…30 years on and
the first time. It seemed
counting.
like a good fit for me
because it's kind of an
Amanda Pryor: In keeping
anonymous environment.
with the spirit of
in college, and did the Summer
It's dark in there and you can keep to
observing anniversaries, I can say that I
College Membership. Once I
yourself. So there I am one Saturday
celebrated my 10th year as a Fitness
graduated, and soon after they moved
morning, waiting on line for Spin and
Incentive member this past January.
into this location, I joined again and
PS: What prompted you to choose Fitness
watching Cathy's Aerofunk class. And I
have been here ever since. I've always
Incentive over any other available gyms?
thought to myself, "All right, next week,
been aware of Fitness Incentive,
AP: I'd say one motive was convenience,
I'm going to take that class. Because
having grown up in Babylon. My mom
and another was that I had a friend who
every one of those people in that room
owns Sherry's, a few doors down from
was coming here and had asked me to
look like they're having an awesome
FI. Like the others, currently I pretty
join with her.
time." And after that first class, I literally
much do or will do just about
PS: Had you been aware of the existence
took the same class for years. It was kind
anything, but it wasn't always like
of Fitness Incentive? Was it on your
of what opened me up to taking classes.
that. Early on, I really didn't know
I think of it now as one of the best things
radar?
anything about gyms or fitness, and
about the gym, to be honest. You take a
AP: A little bit, because I worked in the
just kept to the ellipticles and the
class, it whizzes by and even though it's
village.
treadmills. I then signed