• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
    • Subscribing to Inside Press Magazines
    • Issue Archives
    • Site Map
  • Cover Stories
    • Chappaqua Cover Stories
    • Armonk Cover Stories
  • Happenings
    • Westchester
  • Inside My New Castle
  • Just Between Us
    • Chappaqua Just Between Us
    • Armonk Just Between Us
    • From the Editor
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Health & Fitness
  • Single & Smart
  • Et Cetera
    • Worth a Thousand Words

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • New Castle News
    • New Castle Releases
  • North Castle News
    • North Castle Releases
  • Discover New Castle
  • Gotta Have Arts
    • Book Excerpts
  • Lifestyles with our Sponsors
    • Sponsor News!
    • Words & Wisdoms From Our Sponsors
  • Advertise
    • Answers to Your Questions, or Contact Us!
    • Subscribing to Inside Press Magazines

fitness

Fit at Last

August 15, 2013 by The Inside Press

By Anna Bennett

Amber Jo of Prescriptions for Fitness trained Greeley grad (Class of 2010) Anna Bennett this summer.
Amber Jo of Prescriptions for Fitness trained Greeley grad (Class of 2010) Anna Bennett this summer.

I’m going to be embarrassingly candid here. Prior to this summer, the last time I got myself to the gym was first semester of my sophomore year of college–aka, a year and a half ago–when a friend forced me. I stayed for about 25 minutes, got a smoothie, and left. And the last time I got a “real” work out…never?

Aesthetically, I’ve always been somewhat satisfied with my body image. My weight has fluctuated some through the years, but I have never been considered, though I really hate the term, “fat.” At 5’3” and my weight hovering around 110 pounds, I am not really a candidate for a weight loss camp–still, that’s the kind of push I needed. It was only this past spring that I found my body changing in ways that troubled me. With the combination of Amherst’s (at UMass) candied bacon donuts and my (truly) sedentary lifestyle, I felt bloated on the outside and morbid on the inside. My mom, one of the few who understand how unhealthy my habits actually were, offered to set me up with a trainer at Prescriptions for Fitness in Chappaqua and I agreed to try.

Soon after, I met my trainer, Amber Jo, a friendly young woman (with a rockin’ bod) just three years my senior. After filling out some forms and testing my abilities, Amber customized a routine for me. She designed a “circuit,” which is a series of different exercises performed one after the other, and then repeated a number of times, which challenged my strength and endurance alike. And by “challenged,” I mean I was sweating bullets and flopping all over the place rather than working out. Fortunately, at Prescriptions for Fitness, I was given a private space, where I didn’t have to worry about looking funny or struggling in front of others. There, I was able to learn different kinds of exercises (and flop around all I wanted) in an intimate, judge-free zone.

Between sessions, Amber texted me copies of what we did together. This way, I could exercise on my own and keep what I had learned fresh in my mind. Although I couldn’t push myself quite as far as Amber would, I went from doing nothing to doing something, which was a huge accomplishment for me. Many of the exercises we did involved floor work and weights, so I could work out easily on my own at home too.

Week by week, I still struggled, but felt a gradual improvement. The initial workouts that made me feel absolutely miserable became tolerable, and then, even (gasp!) enjoyable. Feeling myself perform in ways that I was once incapable (as in doing a real pushup!) and Amber proudly acknowledging the ways in which I had improved was a great boost to my self esteem. At the conclusion of my 12 sessions (thanks Mom!), I can say that I now “know how” to work out and am motivated to continue on. For me, having Amber as my trainer was crucial to my personal growth, and probably crucial to my future health.

Editor’s Note: You’re welcome, Anna.

Filed Under: Words & Wisdoms From Our Sponsors Tagged With: excercise, fitness, weight control

Rx For Fitness

May 18, 2013 by The Inside Press

“With video games and IPhones,” notes Scott Reilly, owner of Prescriptions for Fitness, “any kid can easily live in their own world.”  Factor in the anguish of being picked last for a group activity–which can often be the experience for the typical special needs kid–and you might witness an alarming level of inactivity. A lower key interaction helps kids with a lack of strength or the low energy that can come from being on a medication regimen. Goals are set and met to help build confidence. For kids with sensory issues, having fun is every bit as important as getting exercise. “It’s not just about coming in and doing push ups. It’s engaging them in an enjoyable workout,” Reilly says.

Individual needs are taken into account. “We gear our workout on eye-hand development, gross motor and fine motor skills,” he says. Prescriptions works with whatever the issues are, and Reilly doesn’t hesitate to point out what he gets in return. “It empowers you,” he says, “You see a smile on a kid’s face; it’s so rewarding because you’re making a difference.”

– Rich Monetti

Filed Under: Special Needs Tagged With: fitness, motor skills, Special Needs

Jodi’s Story

April 24, 2013 by The Inside Press

Photo by Bill Bramswig
Photo by Bill Bramswig

How Her Talent and Passion for Gymnastics Turned into a Lifelong Career

By Vicki de Vries

“Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life!” Most people nod in agreement and then walk away.

Not Jodi Levine, who started Jodi’s Gym 32 years ago and has proven that love and work can be a perfect 10, an old gymnastic term for the highest possible score. How did she do it, and how does she manage to continue running a successful business?

Jodi took what she loved and excelled in–gymnastics–and turned that passion into a new business idea—Jodi’s Gym, a gymnastics company catering to young children in New York City. The concept proved to be so successful that she eventually opened a Jodi’s Gym center in Mount Kisco. Over the years, Jodi and her staff, many of whom have been working with Jodi for over 15 years, have developed numerous offerings that range from “Teeny Tumblers” (ages 9 months to walking) to Girls Advanced Gymnastics (1st to 8th grade), attracting thousands upon thousands of children.

What accounts for the tremendous success Jodi’s Gym has enjoyed during the past 32 years? Is it the great business concept or the fact that all of the instructors are USA Gymnastics certified? Or maybe it’s the rich variety of offerings in a kid-friendly, pleasant, safe environment? Certainly, all of those factors have played, and continue to play, a key role in the Jodi’s Gym phenomenon.

But what has really made the difference is Jodi Levine herself.

Jodi’s Dance…to Gymnastics

One of Jodi’s earliest memories is about her wanting to be a ballet teacher. At around five years of age, she started taking dance lessons and acrobatic tumbling. “I really enjoyed being upside down,“ Jodi said. (Could that be when she began acquiring her remarkably perceptive slant on things?)

At age 12, Jodi began her first gymnastics class and by age 13, began competitive gymnastics. Entering her senior year of high school, she received a scholarship to attend the Walnut Hill School for Performing Arts in Boston. That honor required that she leave her hometown of Spring Valley in Rockland County, NY, for the year in order to pursue gymnastics training along with other scholarship recipients from around the country.

Jodi had such a successful senior year at the Walnut Hill School that after competing at the national level, she was awarded an athletic scholarship to Indiana State University’s nationally ranked women’s gymnastics team. She graduated with a BA in psychology and a certification coaching of gymnastics/physical education minor.

At that point, Jodi believed her gymnastics days were over: “After ISU, I truly did believe that I had completed my ‘gymnastics piece.’”

Next on her list was attending New York University to complete a master’s degree in psychology/organizational behavior. With graduation approaching, Jodi decided to take a break prior to pursuing a doctorate in child psychology. At the same time, she experienced what she described as a “gut moment pulling me back into the world of kids’ health, fitness and movement education.”

During her break from graduate studies, Jodi returned to coaching competitive gymnastics, something she had always loved. Here is where her story really takes off… “I really wanted to reach out to all kids, not just the ones who were inclined to be competitive gymnasts,” Jodi said. “I saw there was a great need for all kids to reap the psychological, as well as the physical, benefits of the sport that had given me so much. This was back in 1980, when ‘mommy and me’ gymnastics really did not exist. I saw a niche that was missing.” That niche was “gymnastics for the pure enjoyment, fun, education and benefit, where kids could work toward their personal best without having to compete for a score or how they compared to other kids.”

“In the sport of gymnastics, every fiber of a young person’s mind and body is fully engaged. I felt that so many children were missing out on the benefits gymnastics gave me, and I felt I just had to give it back to as many who would like to have the chance.”

The idea became a cause celebre for Jodi: “I felt as if this was what I was meant to do. There really was no stopping me. The energy was endless, the passion was so strong. Although the work was hard and those early days were very long, it never really felt like ‘work.’” Her athletic father was her main cheerleader early on: “If you love it, go for it!” In fact, “Dad always encouraged my sister and me to get back up, dust off the dirt and try again,” said Jodi. “He always wanted me to believe there was nothing I could not do because of my gender.”

Valuable words that would come in handy because in those early days, Jodi had no banker, no credit, no equipment, no staff, and no experience running a business. Surely the odds were against her, but Jodi was armed with a dream, boundless energy, and a strong passion for gymnastics and helping children.

Once Jodi’s Gym opened in New York City, it became an immediate success–the game in town for young children and their mothers. However, the business soon outgrew its space, and Jodi realized she would need to hire and train her first employee, who turned out to be a former student of hers. Her second employee was her mother, Carole, who came to “help out” with some administrative duties on a temporary basis. (To this day, Carole continues to assist her daughter’s business in New York City.)

Today, at any given time, Jodi’s Gym NYC and Mount Kisco between them will have from 25 to 40 employees—full and part time.

A Matter of Balance

Operating a business requires finding the right balance and constantly fine-tuning. Over the years, Jodi has developed a successful philosophy of business that is based on personal experience, common-sense, and a deep love for children and gymnastics.

Keeping a business on course includes “staying true to core values and goals while constantly innovating” and “keeping pricing fair while compensating staff well,” not to mention “maintaining the highest quality programs, high teacher/student ratios, and an extremely competent, well-trained, long-term, experienced staff.”

If that list sounds like too much somersaulting, Jodi would disagree because it’s what she has been doing for over 30 years. Her key advice to any business owner: “Listen to your customers, treat them as you want to be treated, be caring and sincere and accessible, and constantly innovate, always keeping in mind what is in the kids’ best interest.”

But, perhaps most importantly, Jodi is genuinely “in sync” with the kids themselves; she and her staff support and root them on because they’ve seen the positive results over and again, “knowing that children in our programs are feeling more confident and are developing a love for fitness and movement,” she stated.

Ultimately, “if this early positive exposure to movement keeps kids wanting to move and engage in active pursuits as they grow, we will have added to a healthier world. To me, that is success.”

Straddling Two Worlds

In the middle of her career, Jodi’s own two children became her students, and she and her husband, Hal, became, in effect, customers. Wearing the customer chapeau, she was able to see things from a mother’s perspective and learned to listen to the mothers who brought their children to her gymnastic classes.

In fact, Jodi felt better prepared to tackle perhaps the biggest challenge of all–being a parent: “Seeing so many different children and parenting styles over the years really helped prepare me to some extent for becoming a mom myself. I had so many role models.”

In a refreshingly candid way, Jodi added, “They helped me to be a better mom and got me to thinking, ‘What does a mom want? What does she deserve?’ That’s when I really started listening to what parents want for their children.”

Now that those mothers are grandparents, Jodi loves the fact that their children are bringing their kids to learn gymnastics: “When our ‘legacies,’ or second-generation kids, come through the door and the mom tells me of her great memories as a child at the gym and that she is now bringing her own child, I have been brought to tears on many occasions.”

Being sensitive to the needs and interests of families with children with all types of special needs, allergies, likes and dislikes further accounts for the variety of programs at Jodi’s Gym.

That sensitivity came close to home, shaping the parenting style of Jodi and her husband, Hal, who made physical activity and music a big part of their children’s lives. It also served as the inspiration for some innovative classes at Jodi’s Gym. For example, Jodi introduced gym and music classes after noticing how much her then two-year-old son, Will, enjoyed music. Later, when her daughter, Marly turned two, she enjoyed the musician Bobby Doowah so much that Jodi began featuring him in Jodi’s Gym birthday parties.

Now that Will and Marly are young adults and Jodi and her husband, Hal, are empty nesters, Jodi is thrilled that both children love working with kids. Will is a medical student, plays guitar and enjoys a lot of sports, including running, hiking, and skiing, while Marly, who is a junior in college, sings a capella, enjoys working out, yoga and dance. “And she recently became a Zumba instructor!” said Jodi.

Given all the successes, does Jodi have any regrets about her business? To her credit, Jodi freely admits a few: delegating more earlier on, asking for more help, taking less to heart, and being able to see more of the big picture. Would she do it all over again? A resounding definitely: “I have learned so much about people, relationships and myself. The bottom line is I feel I am really making a difference, and that makes it all worthwhile!”

Jodi’s Gym has plans to add more fitness and wellness-based classes to its offerings as well as expanding the “Jodi’s To Go” side of the business, which brings the Jodi’s Gym brand to schools, daycares, camps, and other locations in New York City and Westchester.

Nearest and perhaps dearest to Jodi’s heart is her plan to start programs for underserved populations in New York City and Westchester: “I would love to fill the gap for kids who come from homes where an active, healthy lifestyle is not so easy.”

That expresses not merely Jodi Levine’s business acumen, but more importantly, her warm and caring heart. Jodi is truly an “all-around” winner. Gymnastic aficionados will know that means “a strong competitor on all events.”

Vicki de Vries is a freelance writer/editor and educator living in Westchester “country.”

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: children, fitness, Gymnastics, Jodi's Gym

Fine & Fun Benefits of Being a Part of WeeZee…

March 5, 2013 by The Inside Press

weezee10. Kids leave WeeZee’s World saying “YES, I Can!!”

9.  ZEN-Den for parents who need a MASSAGE knowing their child is SAFELY Learning (oops! Playing!)

8. BIRTHDAY Celebrations are most unique & affordably out of this world

7.  FOCUS-phonz in the After-School Zone–improve Memory Skills while doing Homework by stimulating the middle inner eardrum!

6. FUN Zone–HOLIDAY Play–structured FUN for your kids when schools are Closed!

5. Judgment-FREE Zone–“Geek is GOOD” at WeeZee…

4. CAMP Sensational… our Summer Day Camp for 3-12 year olds. 10 different Theme Weeks.

3. Swing Bean Café sells homemade healthy snacks and has seating for all ages.

2. Parents’ Night Activities engage parents in a world of Sensory Exploration.

1. WeeZee kids IMPROVE Academic, Athletic, and Social Skills by 30%!

Filed Under: Top Ten Sponsors Tagged With: child care, fitness

Smart Strategies for a Spring Shape Up

March 5, 2013 by The Inside Press

scott and grace
Scott Reilly, owner, and Derek Alberto, trainer, with Grace. They are helping her meet her fitness goals.

With Spring break right around the corner( even though the ground is still covered with snow), clients are beginning to ask me how to lose those winter pounds and get in shape for the spring. Whether it’s fitting into that bathing suit for April vacation, or getting ready for spring tennis,  both goals and mindset need to shift to achieve our personal best. As a trainer in Chappaqua for the last 17 years, Prescriptions for Fitness has been able to help our clients to not “panic” about the up and coming spring or summer vacation. We design  a realistic plan to achieve these goals. Below are some of the most effective tips to help you get in the best shape of your life.

First and foremost, many people must change their overall eating and exercising habits. It doesn’t have to take over your life, you just need to make smart choices.

10. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Many people think by skipping breakfast, or by starving themselves, they will lose weight, when in fact by doing this, they will actually gain weight. Smaller meals speed up your metabolism, and create the proper environment for your body to use excess fat as fuel for your workouts.

9. Drink more water, and use nutritional supplements wisely. In order for your body to digest food correctly; it needs water to accomplish this. Water will also keep you full and curb some of your cravings. While you reduce calories, your body absolutely needs proper nutrients to preserve your muscle tissue and burn fat. This is where proper vitamins, and essential oils come into play.

8. Check our supplement recommender. Go to www.prescriptionsforfitness.net: under “Nutrition,” you will find the best ways to burn  fat fast and reach your goals.

gym7.  Increase your weight training and circuit training. The only place in your body that body fat is actually burned is inside your muscle tissue. If you just do cardio, you body will burn muscle for energy. When you lose muscle, you lose the ability to burn body fat. This is a fact, not a myth. Contrary to what many women think, weight training will not bulk them up. It will lean them out–and sculpt the bodies they want.

6. Consult your personal trainer to design a safe and effective weight training program for you.

5. Exercise for at least 25-35 minutes within 80-90% of your target heart rate. This creates what’s called EPOC, or excess post oxygen consumption. High intensity workouts will not only burn more calories during your workout, but will burn additional calories during your recovery period as well.

Higher intensity=larger oxygen deficit /longer recovery=more post workout calories burned.  A high intensity weight/cardio workout will continue to burn calories for the next 24 to 36 hours after you have finished working out. The more calories we burn the faster we reach our goals.

4. Set goals. If you have a goal of losing 15 pounds, break it down into five and three pound goals. This way it will not seem so overwhelming. If you fall off the wagon, brush it off and get back to focusing on your goal. Always stay positive and move in the right direction.

3.  Lift weights that are heavier than your purse if you want to change your body. Lifting two-pound weights for 300 reps is more of a cardio workout–not a strength workout.  Stop listening to celebrity trainers who tout the two-pound/many reps solution to their celebrity clients. You don’t have a private chef to prepare all your meals or  a stress-free lifestyle. Scientific studies have proven lifting heavier weights with fewer reps will help you reach your goals in the shortest time possible.

2.  On your cardio-only days, increase your sprint intervals. Science has proven that slow and long cardio, is not nearly effective as high intensity interval cardio. Many people may not like this because it is challenging, but so is trying to lose weight.

1. Leave your comfort zone. Sometimes we have to work hard if we want to accomplish our fitness goals. If you keep doing what you have been doing for years, don’t expect to see results if you don’t change it up.

These ten tips may not be the easiest changes to your workouts, but they will definitely be the most effective. Everything in life that we want to achieve takes work. Good luck. Make sure you work with your personal trainer when implementing these changes. This way you will educate yourself as well on how to make life long changes to your fitness program.

Scott Reilly is the owner of Prescriptions in Chappaqua, a private personal training facilty. Scott and his staff of professional trainers have been helping people get and stay in shape for over 16 years. They work with people with all different goals and needs. From professional athletes to 10-year-old kids, or women with osteoporosis, Scott and his staff can help you get in the best shape of your life. They also specialize in golf and tennis conditioning as well.

Filed Under: Top Ten Sponsors Tagged With: fitness, gym, weight training

  • « Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4

Primary Sidebar

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Visit Our Sponsors

William Raveis – Chappaqua
William Raveis – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Douglas Elliman: John Buckley
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
White Plains Hospital
Amy Singer – Houlihan Lawrence
Compass: Usha Subramaniam
World Cup Gymnastics
Oak Lane Child Care Center
Beecher Flooks Funeral Home
Corcoran: Robin Roy
Rocks by Jolie B. Ray

Download our Latest Issues

Discover New Castle PDF Inside Chappaqua PDF Inside Armonk PDF Inside Briarcliff PDF Inside Pleasantville PDF

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Organic Wine and Cheese Social at Life Energy Art Gallery
  • True Beauty at Fundraising Event for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital
  • Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown at the Paramount–December 7
  • Picking a Pre-School For Your Child
  • Top Tools to Have in the Kitchen When You’re Cooking with Kids
  • Ten Best Reasons to Walk Your Dog

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime for the print editions of either Inside Chappaqua, Inside Armonk–or both?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2019 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in