New place to workout comes to Sparta

sparta-On Saturday, Sept. 18, Sparta's first Pilates Reformers and Group Fitness studio is set to open its doors for business. The New Image Body Center located on Main Street in Sparta will be hosting a comprehensive open house for the community from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. New Image will offer both Reformer and Mat Pilates, Yoga, Cardio Step, as well as comprehensive programs for children. These programs include Yoga for Kids, and the popular Hip-Hop Dance Class. The founders of Sparta's New Image Body Center, Colleen Boyle, Gigi Shannon, and Vicki Vara, all have extensive experience in fitness athletics and education, as well as group and individualized fitness instruction, and leadership. Boyle and Shannon are nationally ranked competitive fitness athletes who have been highly successful as teachers, mentors, and managers of a variety of Group Fitness programs across many populations. In addition, Shannon is an Adjunct Professor at County College of Morris teaching in the Exercise Science and Dance Department. Partner Boyle, holds two personal training certifications and seven certifications in the Group Fitness field. Boyle was a dancer for the AVIA dance team and has been a dance choreographer for the past 15 years. Vara is a graduate of the University of Delaware and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in fitness management. She was instrumental in the redevelopment and implementation of the University's group exercise program. Vara has experience with small studios, large health clubs to corporate fitness where she assisted to manage GE Capital's headquarters in Stamford CT. The New Image Body Center features state-of-the-art equipment, including the Pilates Reformer, a special machine used to increase muscle strength, joint mobility, flexibility, and muscle balance. The Reformer method is used for fitness and rehabilitation, which focuses on posture and alignment to promote the client's fluidity and grace in movement. The owners claim that both the mat and Reformer workouts stimulate circulation and blood oxygenation, boost the immune system, and help improve mental clarity and function. Olympic swimmers, professional football players, dancers, and people at all levels of fitness who desire to improve their breathing and stamina use the Pilates Reformer. The club promises in its mission statement, "Personal attention is our sole commitment." It says its Pilates Reformer classes will be the first offered in Sparta. The New Image Body Center open house will feature 15-minute sessions on Pilates Reformers and will provide a variety of refreshments and raffles. Boyle, Shannon, and Vara will be on hand to provide demonstrations, answer questions, and share their fitness knowledge with their open-house guests. For more information, call the studio at (973) 729-2002 or visit newimagebodycenter.com