YMCA fitness program shapes up

From trendy spinning classes to a computer-assisted personal trainer, the health club starts the new year with a variety of new features.

By LOGAN D. MABE

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 14, 2001

NORTHDALE -- Post-holiday waistline watchers could be in for a few surprises if they sign up for the YMCA's Personal Fitness Program.

The health club has added an entire line of nifty exercise machines, including 14 stationary bikes for its new "spinning" classes.

"It's an awesome workout," said Bob Sierra branch membership director Chris Knox, who said a 40-minute session on the bike was almost as much work as a recent marathon he had run. "It's super popular. We've added 18 classes a week and they're almost full."

While some commercial health clubs charge extra for spinning classes, the YMCA's classes are free to members.

Also free is a 12-week personal fitness program that is geared to help clients get fit with the help of a personal trainer. The program includes six free sessions with a trainer over the 12-week course.

"At the first meeting, you go over your goals and we can set up a program geared toward your goals," said Jay Latta, fitness and sports director. "We start off real slow because it can be overwhelming."

From there, workouts are monitored by a computerized tracking device called FitLinxx. Designed to focus a person's workout, the system keeps an automatic log of their exercises so the personal trainer can keep track of their progress.

There is even a messaging feature, sort of like e-mail, that allows them to send and receive messages from the instructor.

At each workout station, the computer logs the particulars of the exercise such as repetitions and weights used.

The fitness center's cardiovascular machines -- treadmills, stair climbers and the like -- also come equipped with electronics: a postcard-size television screen and a combo CD/tape player.

"A lot of people come in when their favorite shows are on," said fitness director Annie Borowski. "When the Bucs games were on, we had it on all the TVs."

During January, the YMCA is offering discounts on its initiation fees. Monthly dues are $45 for an individual and $60 for a family.

In anticipation of increased membership, the branch is expanding its parking lot by 50 spaces.

-- Logan D. Mabe can be reached at (813) 226-3464 or at mabe@sptimes.com.

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