By Melissa Stagnaro
Sun Staff Writer
mstagnaro@evesun.com
NORWICH – As 2008 draws to a close, people are looking ahead to the changes they want to make in their lives in the year to come. Losing weight and getting fit are two of the most common resolutions American’s make each year, and now a local fitness center is making it easier than ever to get a jump start on fulfilling those goals.
Eric Montalvo, proprietor of AIM Fitness, is inviting members and non-members alike to attend an Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3 to check out the ways in which he and his staff can help people stick to their resolutions.
“The theme is ‘AIM to be healthy’ for the New Year,” Montalvo explained. “It’s a free day, so we actually encourage people to bring their gear and try out our state-of-the-art facility.”
With more than 135 exercise machines, two group exercise studio, locker rooms equipped with saunas and steamrooms, childcare facilities and a smoothie bar, there is sure to be something for everyone.
The day’s activities will feature tours of the facility, as well as much, much more, he promised.
“From 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., we’re going to showcase all of our group exercise programs on the main floor,” Montalvo said. These offerings include spin, yoga, a Latin cardio class called Zumba, and several new programs.
“This will be the first time we debut other programs,” said Stacy Smith, a fitness instructor at AIM. “I hope people will come take advantage of that.”
Those new offerings include Zen Blend, a combination of yoga and pilates, as well as the debut of the latest release of a resistance weight training program known as Body Pump 68. According to Montalvo, the course, which is choreographed by Les Mills, has been recognized internationally as the fastest way to get into total body shape.
Smith, who has been teaching Body Pump since June, said she looks forward to the new choreography which is released quarterly. Each new release, she said, helps both the instructors and students stay invigorated.
“It keeps people fresh, it keeps people coming back and it keeps them excited,” she explained.
There will also be a sneak preview of another Les Mills course, Body Combat, a kickboxing program that Montalvo said will be added to AIM’s group exercise schedule in February.
Montalvo has recruited other health-oriented organizations and businesses to participate in AIM’s Open House. Central Diagnostic Imaging will be on hand doing bone density scans, and the Chenango County Health Department will offer information sessions on nutrition and other topics.
A representative from McLaughlin’s Department Store will also attend, along with an expert from New Balance. The two will not only discuss proper exercise footwear, but also give away a free pair of men’s and a pair of women’s athletic shoes.
Need a little relaxation after all of that? Chair massages will be available from 9 a.m. to noon, courtesy of the two masseuses AIM Fitness has on staff. Music will be provided by DJ DO IT.
“There will be a lot of giveaways throughout the day,” said Montalvo. Those freebies will include t-shirts, tank tops, day-passes and free beverages from the smoothie and coffee bar.
Grand prizes for the day will include a free year of membership to an existing member, and two, six-month memberships to people who come in between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the open house.
