LIC Spot » Sports

PNT Fitness gets into gear in LIC

showgram — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:27:30 +0000

Tara Faye, owner and manager of PNT Fitness

Get into gear with the help of Tara Faye, owner and manager of PNT Fitness. PNT is a private gym located on Jackson Ave. Once a second floor studio apartment, the space was transformed into a place to sweat it out.

Tara’s love of fitness runs in her family. She was introduced to group fitness at a young age by her mother, who was also an instructor. Tara began teaching fitness classes while she was a student at Wagner College. After she received certificates in group fitness, personal training, and spinning she began teaching in gyms all around the city, renting out studios to hold her own classes.

PNT fitness has been a part of the neighborhood since January of 2011. It was originally owned by three people, including Tara. A little more than a year after opening, Tara took over the business and today runs the whole operation single handily. And that’s not all she does… Tara also works full time as a senior production accountant at a theater management company…and she’s recently engaged. Tara seems unfazed by her busy schedule and talks about managing both her careers with ease.

PNT offers a variety of fitness classes. From spinning, to cardio, to weight training, eight talented instructors will surely rock your body. Tara caps off each class at 10 people, something she says allows her and her instructors to really get to know their students. The fitness guru says her small classes still allow for great energy but also makes it possible to focus on form and technique, ultimately making sure each student is getting maximum results.

Classes vary in length and skill level. From seasoned spinners to newbies each class has something different to offer. Some classes arecardio based, others focus on toning, and a couple incorporates both. PNT also offers a spinning class called “Cycle Virgin”… perfect as a refresher course or for first time spinners. Tara welcomes each student into this class by spending one on one time with each them, making sure they are set up correctly on the stationary bike. But don’t let the name fool you…the 30 minute class is just as intense as any other. Once you’re comfortable, get ready to work it out while learning basic drills and skills along your ride.

Tara teaches 10 classes a week on top of personal training. While she loves to teach all of her classes, she admits her “insane kickbox camp” will always be one of her favorites. She is proud of the class she developed herself and says it’s designed to live up to its name…incorporating intense intervals of cardio, kickboxing, and boot camp regimens. Her widely popular class has even been recognized by CBS New York…featured as one of the “NYC’s 5 Best Boot Camps.”

Every Tuesday at PNT is “community night.” Where some classes are offered at discounted prices. There are no membership fees at this private gym, and no contracts. Check out www.pntfitness.com for more info, including class descriptions and weekly schedules.

by Anne Weslowski

A gym in LIC you probably didn’t know about

showgram — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:05:50 +0000

Jeremy Mayer, the owner of Element Fitness is a well rounded fitness fanatic. With a background in Exercise and Sports Science and Applied Physiology among multiple certifications, Jeremy knows the ins and outs of exercise as well as its impact on the body. A college basketball player himself, his interest in training stemmed from a stint in graduate school where he worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for Columbia University athletes.

When he’s not training professional athletes, or coaching the top marathon runners for the New York Road Runners club, or working with one of his clients, he’s juggling three young children at home. Though he now lives in Long Island with his family, LIC is still close to his heart – having established his business here in 2008. He calls LIC “a great and supportive community” and the “backbone to the success of his business.”

Element Fitness is not your ordinary gym. It’s an intimate space, with no frills …just the essentials you need to work towards a healthier you. Jeremy and his team of personal trainers tailor their sessions to fit the goals of each individual while incorporating three key components: Functional Strength (body weight exercises, plyometrics, speed and agility,) Recovery, (active isolated stretching, eischens yoga,) and Nutrition.

A unique addition to Element is its boxing classes. The classes are taught by Matt, a personal trainer from France who is also a seasoned boxing coach to world champion Alicia Ashley. The 5’5 WBC female world super bantamweight champion also happens to be Matt’s wife!

In France, Matt participated in a variety of sports including Mixed Martial Arts, Muay thai, and football. But when he moved to America, Matt focused his energy on his love for boxing. While boxing is a great work-out, Matt also calls it an art. Boxing requires technique that is perfected over time. As I saw firsthand, boxing isn’t just punching at a bag with no rhyme or reason until you tire yourself out. It incorporates much more and requires commitment and skill. Perhaps most importantly, boxing keeps you on your toes…. You never know what your opponent is going to do…forcing you to think about your next move.

Though boxing may look intimidating, Matt’s classes are conducted safely and set at each individual’s pace, depending on skill level. Matt says anyone at any age can take up the boxing. While class sizes vary from week to week, Matt takes the opportunity in small classes to spend one on one time with his students.

Boxing classes are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 11am. Private classes are also available. Also, be sure to check out http://www.efitnyc.com for more info.

by Anne Weslowski

Ride for Blood next Thursday!

showgram — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:09:34 +0000

Our friends at Crank Cycling Studio are hosting a National Hemophilia Charity Ride next Thursday, May 31st. $50 doesn’t only make you feel better for supporting the bleeding disorder, but it also makes you feel better for exercising. You don’t have to be a member of Crank to participate, and the best part is you will be given a free ride voucher to use any other time at Crank Cycling Studios. Four different time slots are available that day. What else could you ask for? Free wine and refreshments? You got it!

New bike paths are coming to LIC!

showgram — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:28:04 +0000

Photo by Seth Holladay

A new bike path connecting parks in the east river has begun and its first phase will be completed by Fall (yes, 2012). The path will connect Long Island City and Flushing Meadows via the parks. In fact, the first phase will connect Queensbridge Park to Ralph Demarco Park. Just in case you don’t know your parks in this area (don’t worry, you’re not the only one), here’s a map, courtesy of Google Maps:

via The Daily News

How fit is Hunter’s Point?

showgram — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:21:20 +0000

Cross Fit has officially moved away from the Gantry Park area to a more-remote location in Long Island City. What remains are two spinning studios and a field track. Unless you have a gym in your building complex, it’s obvious your workout choices are slim (sorry for the pun). Is LIC ready for a full-blown gym?

LIC Spot Pic of the Day

showgram — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:51:12 +0000

Photo by {a href="http://www.ten10studios.com/" target=”_blank”}Jesse Winter{/a}

Nothing beats a nice game of hoops on a gorgeous day! Believe it or not, Long Island City has quite a few places to play basketball. What’s your favorite?