Page 9 - NJ Cooperator Spring 2020

NJCOOPERATOR.COM THE NEW JERSEY COOPERATOR — SPRING 2020 9 holistic, integrated approach to training. sonal trainer with experience working in nearly always try to cram in too much car- Th e current trend is toward more multi- functional products like Gravitron, or the with the unique challenges of such spaces, that would be better used. For example, she they work out. If you do 30 minutes of car- Queenax, a modular system that incorpo- rates multiple, functional exercises into a sign or layout blunders that will make your kettlebells are much more important and muscle or aff ect the look of the body.” For sleek, space-conscious design with storage gym space less functional and safe. areas for exercise components and attach- ments within it. Another consideration to take into ac- count when planning a fi tness space is that “Th e problem with more and more users are opting to bring these gyms,” she personal trainers into their building’s in- house fi tness rooms, rather than brave the are oft en designed crowds and hassle of a commercial gym. A by the board to fi t coach or trainer may not take up as much the space” – and space as a clunky weight machine, but they the space is inevita- do need room to work with their clients bly too small. “Not safely and eff ectively – so it’s important to be rude,” Lavin to account for those possible extra bodies continues, “but they moving around the space, particularly dur- ing peak training times in the early morn- ing and evening. Speaking of Trainers... Th ere are plenty of companies that spe- cialize in designing, building out, and in intend to provide, and they should have a minimize that risk. It helps them maintain major building project or decision. Doing some cases staffi ng and managing in-house professional design it.” gyms in residential buildings, but if you’re in a smaller building with more limited to keep away from old, clunky, single-ex- space and budget, a more economical alter- native to hiring a professional gym design too much space, and can be replaced with have its place in an exercise regimen – but fi rm might be to consult a seasoned per- residential gyms. Not only are they familiar dio equipment, crowding out other options to be trim and cut. Th ey want to look like but they may be able to help you avoid de- Rachel Lavin has been training clients chine or stationary bike. “I want my clients training, in other words. in their in-building gyms in New York for to be ‘life functional,’ says Lavin, “so more more than 20 years. says, “is that they don’t have a clue what to do. Boards should always con- sider more space than they originally Like Hamilton, Lavin advises boards cise doesn’t do that.” ercise equipment. It’s ineffi cient, takes up benefi cial for nearly everyone, and does better options. And, she continues, gyms as Orsini points out, “Today’s clients are says, a full set of free weight dumbbells and dio you will lose fat, but it doesn’t build fl exible for most users than a rowing ma- types of exercise than ommend that when designing or redesign- just cardio are neces- sary.” David Orsini, an- other New York-based to a couple of key pieces, and including personal trainer with dumbbells, kettlebells, and most impor- many in-house gym tantly, a multifunctional, multi-exercise clients echoes Lavin’s cable-pulley tower system for resistance critique of rooms over- loaded with cardio rack is a nice addition, too. equipment and adds that, “Particularly as treadmill and an Olivia Newton-John aero- people age, they have bics video. Boards need to consider pro- an increased fall risk. fessional expertise when designing their Strength training is fi tness spaces, the same way they would what they need to consider professional advice in any other body balance and equilibrium; cardio exer- To be sure, cardiovascular exercise is value to your building as well. seeking a certain physical look. Th ey want that, you need resistance work – weight So to recap: both Lavin and Orsini rec- ing an in-building gym, your board should consider increasing the size of the gym itself, editing down the cardio equipment training. If there’s suffi cient room, a squat Exercise today is more than a squeaky so will result in an amenity that’s not just well used and well loved, but that adds real n A.J. Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for Th e New Jersey Cooperator, and a published novelist. “Boards should always consider more space than they originally intend to provide, and they should have a professional de- sign it.” — Rachel Lavin