Water Mill Gym Owner Makes It About More Than Just Staying in Shape

Walk into the converted potato barn that houses in Water Mill, and you'd be hard pressed to see the gym's owner, Jim O'Hagan, sitting down.

O'Hagan, who has a degree in exercise science and holds many certifications for personal training, opened the gym in January 2006 after being dissatisfied with other gyms in the area. Since then, he has made a name for himself helping others achieve their fitness goals, never accepting excuses, while encouraging clients, employees and friends to better themselves physically and mentally.

But O'Hagan, a Hampton Bays resident, has made himself known in the community for more than that. Since opening the gym, he has used it not just to help locals get into better shape, but also to help charities raise money by hosting events.

“The gym gave us a platform to give back to the community,” O'Hagan said recently during a rare break in his busy schedule. “We can use fitness and have fun, especially for people who don't usually come to a gym.”

Past events include a fundraiser for the South Fork American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, in which participants donated $10 to take part in a fun fitness game, and a 12-hour “Bike-A-Thon” held last December, which drew 108 people and for the Maureen's Haven shelter program at Southampton Village's .

But for O'Hagan, helping people applies to everyone, not just those less fortunate. It's also about helping people who may be frustrated at not achieving their fitness goals, or who aren't sure how to get started.

“The challenge is the best part [of personal training],” O'Hagan said. “I help people do things that they never thought they'd be able to do, whatever their goal is.”

Recently, O'Hagan had to apply that motivational spirit to one of his own employees and friend, certified personal trainer and running coach Jim MacWhinnie, who suffered a near-fatal accident last year.

Several weeks after the accident, O'Hagan visited MacWhinnie and found him sitting on the couch, looking defeated and depressed and having to use a walker to get around. Unwilling to let him stay in this condition, O'Hagan practiced some tough love and forced him to get back on his feet.

“I told him, 'You're a trainer. I want you to develop a training program right now.'” And after a few months, he said, “it was like it never even happened.” These days, MacWhinnie is back at the gym helping others find the motivation to better themselves.

O'Hagan's generous spirit and outgoing nature have helped make Core Dynamics a different kind of gym, said Antonia Mennis, a massage therapist who has worked there for the past four years and raved about its inspiring work environment.

“He's very smart and very passionate about what he does,” she said. “That's why he's good at what he does. He's one of the best gym owners and trainers I've ever met, and he's constantly inspiring everyone who works there.”

O'Hagan, she said, inspires the "never give up" attitude at Core Dynamics, while creating a family atmosphere.

“It's not just about having people come in and give us their money,” she said. “This is such a different place than other gyms, there's a whole different dynamic. There's definitely something special about the place. He's very honest, and he doesn't let someone give him excuses ...  because of that, he really helps people.”