New Free Motion Transformation

Carmen Fermin put her foot in the band and started doing a back hip extension. Then she turned and kicked out a different way, demonstrating the multiple muscles she could work without ever switching machines.

“The new Free Motion equipment adapts and fits your body,” said Fermin, the fitness director at . It is also meant to be more three-dimensional, helping train your muscles in ways that actually correlate to real-world experiences, rather than the typical fixed-path exercise equipment.

The recreation center just finished installing around twenty new pieces of Free Motion equipment in its fitness wing and is holding orientations this week multiple times a day, anywhere from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (for the most updated schedule, ). These trainer-led orientations are free for SBDCRC pass-holders and available to non-pass holders at the normal day rate of $6.

Fermin pulled out five different colored sheets of paper from a rack on the wall, each with multiple diagrams of different ways you can use the five new Free Motion cable machines. The fewest exercises suggested for one cable machine is eight, but one has as many as 22 suggested possibilities. Between the five machines there are 70 suggested exercises.

Along with these cable free motion machines, the center replaced a total of 17 strength training machines, five treadmills, two recumbent bikes and two elliptical machines.

Most of the new strength training machines look very similar to what is normally found in a gym: chest press, lat pulls, leg extensions, etc. But, again, the Free Motion aspect comes into play, adapting to your body, having more flexibility, and requiring various muscle involvement for each exercise.

Larry Levy, a personal trainer who has been with the rec center for 13 years, demonstrated the new chest press. Instead of just moving forward and back, it made a slight inward arch when he pushed it forward, which worked the chest, shoulders and triceps—not just the chest as would occur on a  typical chest press machine.

When Fermin came to SBDCRC five years ago, she says she called it a “museum of fitness” because of how outdated a lot of the equipment was. But since then she has worked to get some of the best equipment and classes made available to the center’s patrons.

“Transforming the fitness center is important to be able to later transform people,” she said.

Transformations are also coming over at the , as it prepares for a down week where the whole facility will be closed for cleaning and renovations from Aug. 29 through Sept. 5. Chinn and SBDCRC alternate each year having a down week to do some deep cleaning and renovations. This year Chinn is up to bat and during its closed week all pass holders are welcome to use the facilities at SBDCRC, the Freedom Center, or the Warrenton Aquatics & Recreation Center.

Chinn will be installing a rock climbing/traverse wall and a sound system in the gym as well as replacing 31 pieces of cardio and weight equipment including rowers, treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and assisted chin/dip machines.  They will also begin the installation of bars to accommodate new equipment.

Then there will be general cleaning and maintenance such as draining, cleaning and refilling the pools, re-caulking and repairing tiles, installing coat hooks for before/after school programs, replacing some front walk concrete, refinishing the racquetball floor, etc.

Sally Wood, the general manager at Chinn, said they are doing as much as possible as economically as possible. She said they have comment drop-boxes for customers to regularly let them know desires for changes or improvements. “We read those and keep them. And we try to answer as many as possible,” she said.

Also to put on your calendars if you are considering starting a membership with either SBDCRC or Chinn, both places are offering discounts on membership in the near future. From Sept. 11 to 16 SBDCRC is offering 10 percent off six or 12-month passes, Chinn is offering the same from Oct. 1 to 15. And for one day only, on Sept. 10, SBDCRC will have its biggest sale of the year: 20 percent off six or twelve month passes. Also that morning will be a free Fitness and Wellness Expo at SBDCRC, with demonstrations, tours, give-aways, and more.