Month: May 2014

Making New York Fitness More Accessible

May 30, 2014

modelfitOne common complaint (aka excuse) people have for not exercising and getting fit is lack of accessibility. New York fitness has addressed that issue by putting a gym inside an Albany supermarket. The idea for this was initiated from a meeting between the local YMCA, Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan and Hannaford which together wanted to “improve the area’s health while also being convenient, accessible and free.”

New York fitness classes are becoming increasingly popular at the gym-supermarket. Featuring stationary bicycles, treadmills, cardio machines and a Zumba room, grocery shoppers can lose weight and get in shape just before they shop for groceries. In addition, those who use the gym are not forced to use the supermarket; all they need to do is complete some paperwork on their first visit and then get fobs to swipe when they stop by. To date, more than 1,100 people have signed up.

According to NPD Group Harry Balzer, this is a great idea:

“All of us eat and 63 percent of us say we exercise on a weekly basis. I have a ready and willing market with six out of 10 people who walk in the door, but the point that’s most salient is free. I know of nothing that will change your behavior faster than money. Will it last? That’s the question.”

In other news, for those New Yorkers looking for something a little bit more hip, there is also the new ModelFIT studio, New York fitness’ answer to working out with models. For just $40 and a pair of working sneakers, even the most non-famous people can sweat it out with the stars in the city that never sleeps.

New York Wellness – Cancer Awareness

May 29, 2014

American_Cancer_SocietyEvery year the Hoosick Falls Central School in New York chooses a different topic on New York wellness on which to focus. This year it was cancer, and the wellness day dealt with issues such as grief and loss. It was chosen as a testament to Isabel McGuire – a teacher from the school who recently lost her battle against cancer.
Next month, the American Cancer Society will host the 9th Annual Financial Services Cares Gala in New York, on 42nd Street. This is a fundraiser attended by around 500 financial industry leaders in an attempt to raise funds and awareness while getting additional support for all programs fun by the American Cancer Society. Unofficially, the theme was “fighting breast cancer on and off the field,” and had Bon Jovi, Brian Kelly, Linda Holliday and others at the party in an attempt to raise awareness and funds.
In other New York cancer awareness news, Terry Bourgeois undertook a challenging bike ride from New York City to Niagara Falls. He did this to raise money for Roswell Park Cancer Institute. This was not the first time Bourgeois participated in the ride – he has been on board for since 1999 – but this year was different. He completed a ride across the entire state, raising $8,000 – funds that are to be put toward brain tumor and ovarian cancer vaccines and lung cancer genetic testing. He realized how many close family members have been impacted by the disease over the years. He said, “I realized that this is the biggest war we’ll ever face. And it’s all around us.”