Like 'big city' gyms, this fitness center offers variety

Now your body is in holiday hangover: stuffed with at least three turkeys, a ham, and some homemade pasta, eggnog, spiced hot toddies, and dozens of delectably iced homemade cookies, nut-filled fruitcakes, and more peppermint candy canes than there are stockings on the mantle.

Treadmill anyone?

This

We're talking Salsacize, Fit Ball, Pilates and Belly Dance. And no: no gift certificate to Crunch or Bally's is required; no plane ticket to New York or Miami is in order. You'll find these hip and trendy cardio classes - and a lot more - at the new Pro Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in Birney Plaza, Moosic.

Pro Fit and Rehab, formerly Northeast Fitness Center, boasts new owners, educated managers, a novel look, and an atmosphere so fresh it makes Black Friday's turkey look stale.

With a progressive schedule and a positive attitude, the Pro Fit team is looking to blend the chic, sophisticated programs and experienced, knowledgeable personnel of the big city with the personalized service and intimate know-how of a small town.

"Our staff is constantly trying to find the latest and newest ideas to offer a state-of-the-art exercise experience," says executive director, Lynn Distasio, who oversees all club operations. "Yet we want our members know that the people who live in and support our community are the people who make up our staff."

Indeed, like a healthy Cheers, Pro Fit is the place to go where everyone knows your name. "We are really taking care of our members," says Bill Buzza, director of programs, clinical, personal training, and customer relations. "They are not, and will not just be a number."

The new concept of Pro Fit, however, is not simply to offer a perfectly balanced blend of the fabulously new and the triedand-true.

The Pro Rehabilitation organization, which has offices in Plains, Hazleton, and Hanover, took over the Moosic location in order to complement their vibrantly successful practice of physical, occupational and aquatic therapy, sports medicine, work conditioning, and industrial rehabilitation.

"We were happy with this site," says Lynn, "because it enabled us to offer a whole spectrum of care. We can now provide for things such as orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries, but we can also help those who are injured in continuing on a wellness program."

Bill Buzza agrees, noting that Pro Fit's "continuum of care" means more than just serving up a carousel of cardio classes and keeping the machines well oiled and Windexed. "Some people come in from a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle and our goal is to make them feel good, but not to get them to that point and then leave them to slip back to where they started. And there's the other side of it too. If someone comes in with a bad shoulder or back, we have the ability to offer them one-on-one rehabilitative or occupational therapy with a professional first, and then transition them to fitness to maintain their health. The goal is to ensure that our members don't get trapped in a cycle where they feel bad and then good and then bad again. We want a level of wellness that ensures a healthier client overall. We want them to stay with us and stay healthy," he insists.

Though Lynn says that Pro Rehab is respectful of what the club once was, she insists that the decision to retain former owner, Barry Kandel, as a member of the team has meshed his past and the club's new future to add a dimension to Pro Fit that they would not have been able to attain alone.

"The facility has changed, expanded, and improved to accommodate the abilities of the staff," says Lynn. "They can put their knowledge to use, because they now have the tools to do so. And we do have the best staff," informs Lynn. "Everyone, from the aerobic instructors and the trainers straight through to the people at the front desk, is incredibly knowledgeable, motivated, and always looking to be current and updated in issues challenging the community. That is truly our strength. And I just feel so good about it."

Extreme makeover

The club changed hands in December, 2003, but its grand opening just took place in October, 2004.

Members, both new and old, pumped away on stair masters and weight benches while curiously sneaking a peek at the constant march of construction workers sweating around the clock to clean, demolish, erect, and perfect the sunny new mecca of health.

"We are always asking people what they want and when they want it," says Bill, who admits that Pro Fit offers a superb family atmosphere that is both warm and welcoming to every last member from the oldest, buffest bodybuilder to the youngest social butterfly. "That's more than other gyms do," promises Bill. And judging by an appreciative and enthusiastic membership, it's clear that the people's wish has been Pro Fit's command.

"Aside from the obvious physical changes that were made," continues Bill, "which our members our now extremely positive about - our management team is one hundred percent more customer oriented; we've expanded our aerobics programs to over 50 plus classes - different classes! And we always strive to be proactive, never reactive." Both Bill and Lynn credit their shipshape team with creating an inspiring atmosphere for all who embark on the quest for mental and physical fitness.

"From aerobics to rehab, everyone is always looking for new things. They are researching and certifying and providing creative, inventive, educated experiences available in both aquatics and land," says Bill.

And therein lies the big city secret. Ensuring the best of everything. Programs are directed to all ages, all abilities, and all disabilities. The facility is clean, comfortable, and well tended. And all trainers, instructors, and clinical therapists are constantly involved in education and certification to guarantee a staff always on the cutting edge of the newest techniques, fads, equipments, methods, breakthroughs, and trends in the field; in other words, a staff that is always several steps ahead of their game.

"I take it as a compliment to be compared to a big city gym," says Bill. "Their trend is to educate their staff and trainers to bring their clients the best, most current services. If that's what it means to be a big city gym then we are it!" says Bill. "No matter the question, we have someone with the right answer. And if we don't have the right answer, we will find it."