Geared Up Issue 4 2017 | Page 14

Boston-Manchester Marketing Co-op Installs Mini Judgement Free Zone The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new gym was held Oct. 4. F 12 or a group of kids at the Boys & Girls Club in Lowell, Massachusetts, it isn’t necessary to hop in a car to pay a visit to the nearest gym. Thanks to Brian Kablik, Shane Poirier and the Boston-Manchester Marketing Co-op, the gym has come to them. For the second time, the co-op has installed what it calls a Mini Judgement Free Zone® fitness center in a Boys & Girls Club, and although it isn’t their first, it is the biggest and best yet. Outfitted with a six-piece cardio deck, a cable crossover, smith press, five selectorized machines, and an ample array of free weights, stretching mats and stability balls, the kids at the club now have easy access to a true judgement-free gym. “The PF® corporate team and I, we started visiting gyms together last year. We actually came up with the idea of launching the very first Mini Judgement Free Zone in this room,” said Kablik. “We were sitting on an old bench and said, ‘Why don’t we build gyms at Boys & Girls Clubs?’” Greater Lowell Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Joseph Hungler notes that most of the equipment in the gym was 15 to 20 years old, and the new pieces and updated look is a welcomed change. More important than the new gym and all of the equip- ment, however, is the philosophy behind the effort. On Oct. 4, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held and attendees included franchisees Brian Kablik, Jonathan Epstein and Shane Poirier; Executive Director Joe Hungler; Ambassador with the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce Karen Bergeron; several The Lowell club’s new Mini Judgement Free Zone features a wide and versatile array of cardio and weight equipment. members of the PF corporate marketing team; and mayor of Lowell Edward Kennedy. Trainers Chris Woadoloski, Brett Fronte and Andrea BiBi were also onsite and instructed the kids on proper form and technique when using the new equipment. “This was truly an amazing experience for everyone involved,”