Another Trip Around the Sun

Yet another year winds to a close. For Fitness Incentive, it was something of a milestone, as we marked our 20^th year at our current location, 157 Deer Park Avenue. Hard to believe, but we opened our doors here on November 5^th, 2001, the night after the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Yankees – and Mariano – in game 7 of the World Series. I missed seeing that game because we didn’t get home until well after midnight, prepping the gym to open at 5 am that morning. It was to be a memorable day. Equipment was still arriving, and I spent most of it assembling treadmills and repairing spin bikes. Here we are 20 years later, some the worse for wear, but we’re still keeping on keeping on, as always.

Speaking of Keeping On

The past 20+ months have been a struggle that none of us anticipated or had any frame of reference for—unless you were around in 1918 for the Spanish Flu.  The COVID-era has no parallel in our lifetimes. We’ve all had to adapt, and it hasn’t been fun or easy. But perhaps we’ve turned a corner. Recent months have seen many familiar faces back at the gym.  But many – too many – have yet to return. Some who attended right up until the moment we were forced to close our doors in March 2020 have still not found their way back. That surprises and saddens us, but we continue to hold out hope. Because those who have returned have regenerated the same happy, upbeat, welcoming community they left when we closed. The vibe has never been better, sort of a survivor’s jubilation, a celebration of life. Or maybe it’s just the joy of being back together with friends they’ve known and shared workouts with over these many years. Whatever the inspiration, it’s been palpable, wonderful, and encouraging. FI’s still got its MOJO!

Come Home to Fitness Incentive

To those of you who have yet to return, we miss you. We’d love to see you come home to Fitness Incentive in 2022. We’ve reached out to many of you, and we will continue to. Friends don’t let friends work out alone, or at home for that matter.  If you are one of those who has yet to return, there’s never been a better moment than right now. If you know someone who hasn’t come back, grab them by the hand and bring them back with you. Because it really is better together.

Have a Stronger, Fitter, Healthier, and Happier 2020!

THE Dynamic Duo…

The Fall Fitness “Dynamic Duo” Challenge was a huge success! The teams had amazing results, not only losing body fat, but nearly 40% of the contestants managed to also add lean muscle mass! Truly astonishing, and a testament to their determination, focus, and to the people training them.  At the risk of falling into the “Your all winners” cliche, this is one contest in which it’s almost impossible to not enjoy some level of success. But as in anything, there can only be one team that reigns supreme, and this time it’s Theresa Christensen’s team of Catherine Malone and Jacqueline Sackoor (pictured above), who edged out Liz Keller’s team of Sara Hoberman and Carolyn Pulley. (You can see the complete results here:   Fall Dynamic Duo challenge. Brian Roche and Anthony Spadolini grabbed the third spot, and Anthony (article in this issue) managed to take home the top individual prize, with Carolyn Pulley and Jacqueline Sackoor taking second and third respectively.

We plan on running our annual Fit for Summer Challenge this spring. Watch for announcements!

Incentives Spa’s first-ever Holiday Shopping Party!

Join us Wednesday, December 8th from 9 am-Noon in the Skylite Cafe for a Holiday Shopping party, courtesy of Incentives Organic Spa and Salon. There’ll be:

Product Demos From Incentives Estheticians • Free Samples Of Our Most Popular Products • Bubbly, Snacks & Holiday Cheer and a Massage Raffle.

Don’t miss out on the fun!

Detox Stretch
a Master Class with Dina and Cor

The most exciting thing to happen since Ying met Yang, two of our most dynamic, passionate, and popular instructors team up to bring you this Master Class, held under the Infrared heat in the Yoga Room.

Saturday, Dec 11^th at 9:30 am.  $30 member, $40 non-members. Sign up today, as space is limited!

Home for the Holidays? Enjoy the repeat of a Holiday Classic – Our Student Winter-Break Membership – just $50 for the entire winter recess. (active students with ID only).

New Personal Trainers

We continue to add amazing trainers to our staff. Let me introduce you to…

(pictured above, left to right)

Sean Horan

Angela Torres (see her article in this issue)

Emily Voigt

Dan Zona (see his article in this issue)

New Instructor: Tristan Marshall

Tristan Marshall will be joining our team of outstanding fitness instructors. Tristan will be teaching two classes Monday evenings starting December 13th. (see below) Tristan has a degree in Dance from Hofstra University, with minors in Sports Sciences and Disability Studies. He began his dance training at 15 and has trained extensively in ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and acrobatics. Tristan also has a love for teaching. He has taught at many studios along the East Coast, ranging from teaching one-day workshops to being a full-time teacher. We’re very lucky and excited to have him join the FI staff.

New Classes

Sticking with our theme of “new,” a bunch of new classes have either just started or are about to, including…

Monday 9:30 am Street Beats in the Yoga Studio – If you haven’t heard of/tried/rocked out at Street Beats, you are MISSING OUT! Lose yourself in amazing music, and leave wanting MORE. No pretentiousness, no competition, no attitude-just dancin’, baby! (started 11/29)

Thursday 6:15 am Strength Express with Theresa (main studio) – 30 minute fast-paced class with weights and/or apparatus of the instructor’s choice. The area of focus will change week to week (i.e., upper body, lower body, abs/glutes). (started 12/2)

Monday 4:30 pm Strength & Stretch with Tristan (main studio) – This class will focus on calisthenics infused with yoga stretches to give you the ultimate muscle building and stretching combination. Exercises will mostly focus on legs, core, and glutes! We will combine active and passive stretching to increase our mobility and range of motion. This class is excellent for all levels! (starting 12/13)

Monday 5:30 pm Infrared Barre with Tristan (yoga studio) – This workout technique inspired by elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates focuses on low impact, high-intensity movements designed to strengthen your body. Incorporating body weight-focused exercises, it engages muscles you wouldn’t normally target in your gym regimen. This class is done in the therapeutic infrared heat. (starting 12/13)

Thursday 6:00 pm HIIT Infrared Yoga with Monica (yoga studio) – A yoga class and HIIT class rolled into one! A combination of high-intensity, cardio-based flows that will get your heart pumping and your muscles working. Slow flow stretches will relieve tension, and infrared heat will promote healing. (starting 12/9)

Tuesday 6:00 pm Power Yoga becomes Infrared Power Yoga with Monica – Strong Vinyasa flow, which includes challenging postures. Advanced class done in the therapeutic infrared heat.  All levels welcome – modifications will be shown. (as of 11/30)

Do I Have to Say It? Give the Gift that Always Fits!

I am legally bound to remind you that this being the holiday season, there are two gifts that we highly recommend for anyone that you truly and deeply adore. Those would be, of course, the Gifts that Always Fit – Fitness Incentive and Incentives Spa Gift Cards. You can get them at the gym/spa, or instantly, online, by clicking below. Yes, even on Christmas morning.

Sponsored Links

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