Biz of the Week: Sunrise Fitness

For the past 12 years, retired Suffolk County police officer Ivan Deabreu, along with Cathy Keely and Cindy DeMasi, has been providing the Sachem area with a positive atmosphere for fitness.

Sunrise Fitness, on Sunrise Highway in Holbrook, is 12,500 square feet of cardio, free weights, personal training, classes, a children's playroom and endermologie.

What started as a side venture to stay in shape while in the line of duty has expanded to a full service gym. With no contractual agreement, the monthly rate of $49 includes free personal training and access to the class of your liking, including zumba, spinning, body sculpt, infusion (a blend of pilates), yoga and free weights, boot camp and lower body blast among many others.  Guests may purchase anywhere from one day at $10 to 12 months from $490.                 

"It's a nice crowd here, not a real muscle head gym," said Deabreu, 59, who keeps the cardio room at a cool 68 degrees and the spinning and aerobic room where classes are held at 60.

Sunrise fitness is open every day at 4 a.m. until 11 a.m. and is fully stocked with plenty of water and protein shakes, lockers, showers and many ways to reach your individual goals.

Irma Danielsson, 66, from Ronkonkoma comes to Sunrise three to four times a week after work and claims she has already seen results in the two months that she has been taking the zumba class, an upbeat workout with lots of Spanish style hip shaking.

"I do it for the health benefits," said Danielsson, expressing her concern to remain in shape later in life.

The aerobic room where the classes are held is rented out to jazzercise and karate as well as any other interested groups.  Certified instructors teach the classes and the personal trainers are all certified as well. Fran Klingel, 42, from Bohemia runs the aerobic program at Sunrise and has been instructing classes like body sculpt, core work and interval training for nearly 25 years. Klingel got the idea to teach from another teacher whom she took classes with and made the suggestion.  With a free membership included, instruction became a way to get through college for Klingel, who used to teach elementary school until having children.

"A lot of instructors think you have to have a lot of choreography, but if you have a great personality it works," said Klingel on her strategy. " You have to have a sense of humor."

The facility's childcare room is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is two dollars and is limited to two hours for children six months to 12 years old. In addition, Sunrise offers endermologie as part of their cellulite reduction program in which $65 gets you one session.