Loose Leaf Notes

~ The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on Februrary 21, 2012.

The Floyd Fitness Center is marking its 5^th year with a celebratory Open House throughout the day on Friday, February 22.

The Center, which has been co-owned by five members of the community for the past five years, features a fully equipped gym with a range of cardio equipment, strength machines and free weights. The facility also has locker rooms, a sauna, a spacious lobby with tables and free WiFi, and a room used for yoga, dance, hula hooping classes and more.  

“Our strength is that we are a community orientated gym,” said employee Robin Hairfield.  “It’s not just specialized for weight lifters. We reach out to all ages and have all shapes and sizes here.”

Hairfield said the mornings are particularly active at the Center, which is located off Route 8 next to Mickey G’s Bistro.  She described a camaraderie that many of the members share. “It’s comfortable for the elderly to come and keep moving, for people who are struggling with their weight and others,” she said, noting that high school-aged members particularly like the free weight station.

Referring to the center as more than a gym, Hairfield said, “People have told me that they come not to just work out but because it is good for them socially.  It’s very comfortable, clean and friendly.”

Rhoda Hurst agrees.  “It’s such a great resource for the community,” she remarked.  Hurst, who was preparing for an afternoon work-out, said she appreciates the reasonable rates at the Center.  As a mental health therapist, she recommends exercise for stress relief and well being.  

Member Margie Reddit has been working with certified personal trainer Rowan Chantal at the Fitness Center for about six weeks.  “I feel stronger. My energy level is better. My flexibility is better,” Reddit said, adding that training with Chantal has given her more strength to do the things she loves, like biking and swimming.

Whether your goal is to run your next 5K race, improve sore knees, build your core for other sports or just be a more functioning and fit human being, Chantal says he can custom design a program to suit your needs.   As a licensed massage therapist who rents a massage room/office at the Center, he can provide massages onsite.  He also teaches an aerobics class at the Center on Friday evenings at 8:30.  “You don’t have to be a member to take it,” Chantal said.

Trish Cahalan, one of the five Center owners, was a personal trainer for years.  She currently offers complimentary trainings to new members, introducing them to the equipment and instructing them to use it correctly.  Cahalan generally spends an hour or two with each new member and designs programs to fit individual goals, she said.

Fitness Center co-owner Mike Maslaney reported that refreshments will be served and free passes will be given out at the Friday Open House.  “We want to welcome everybody to come by and see what we’ve got,” he said.

Our World Tuesday