People make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, eat better or go to a gym. Birchwood Fitness at 105 Edella Road in Clarks Summit is just one of several places in the Abington’s you can go to work out.
Birchwood Fitness has been open for many years under different ownership and most recently owned and included as part of the Birchwood Tennis Facility. Joy de Soto the present owner bought the fitness business in 2012 and separated it from the Birchwood Tennis Facility. It has always been important to her to uphold the same values and intent as the original owners and complement the services they offer.
“I was already very enmeshed in Birchwood Fitness as a trainer, manager and instructor over the years,” she said. “It made sense to me when the owner offered me the chance to step into this role. I have always loved the atmosphere and feel of what we offer as it differs from any of the other gyms in the area. We are unique in many ways.”
De Soto graduated from Abington Heights High School in 1982, University of Delaware in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Syracuse University in 1988 with a master’s degree in Human Nutrition.
The fitness center has an array of new Life Fitness cardio equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, arc trainers, stair climber and recumbent and stationary bikes. In addition, there are sectorized strength machines, free weights, kettlebells, rowers, battle ropes, boxing equipment and other functional tools. The facility also has Pilates reformer machines that are used for training are unique to the facility.
There are also many classes to choose from including cycling, body sculpting, Zumba, yoga and various types of high intensity and bootcamps which are a combination of cardio and strength. Classes that focus on range of motion and balance are offered for senior citizens. The fitness center hopes to build their schedule by bringing back Pilates, more yoga, qigong and new and unique classes.
De Soto explained why people should go to a gym.
“I really cannot think of a single reason someone should not get out and exercise,” she said. “Exercise is wrongly thought of as a tool for someone who needs to lose weight. While that is a nice bonus, there are hundreds of physiological changes that occur when someone exercises. It is one of our only tools we all possess that can make a positive change in our lives and health. The best part is that some of those benefits can be felt at the very moment you begin. While many people struggle with the motivation to exercise, once they try the first step, there is usually never a regret.”
In the future, Birchwood Fitness sees a need to help youth safely engage in fitness for their own wellbeing or performance. They should not walk into a gym and figure out what they need to do. They need to be taught how to lift weights safely and the fitness center wants to offer more instruction in that area.
“The economy of healthcare has shifted, and there is a shortage of services and funds that bridge illness and injury with fitness,” de Soto said. “Many people don’t know how to exercise or feel strong once they have been ill or in physical therapy. We have formed good relationships with many of these services and practitioners to help participants to engage in fitness once they have completed their rehab or recovered from their illness.”
De Soto is the daughter of Dr. Melvyn and Marilyn Wolk. She has two daughters – Dana, who lives in New York City, and Elena, who lives in Atlanta.
When she finds time away from the fitness center, she enjoys working out and walking her dogs or hiking. She’d like to pursue the activities of biking and traveling. She also enjoys visiting her daughters.
Birchwood Fitness offers Silver Sneakers programs, and many insurances offer benefits for people enrolled in fitness programs. A person should check with their health insurance to see if they offer discounts for gym memberships.
The gym offers towels, water, steam rooms and locker rooms.
For more information call 570-585-4030, visit the fitness center web site at or www.BirchwoodFitness.com or the Birchwood Fitness Facebook page.
