For those in the NYC area, check out the Grassroots Fitness Project that is co-founded by Heather Gunn Rivera and Wil Rivera. We took some time to find out more about this gym that focuses on increasing the strength of those that walk through their doors regardless of their age or gender.
ATHLEISURE MAG: How would you describe Grassroots Fitness Project?
HEATHER GUNN RIVERA: Grassroots is a close-knit community that provides top-notch individualized fitness training (in private or small group format) in an empowering, judgement-free environment.
AM: What led to the creation of GRFP and what is its ethos?
HGR: Grassroots was created in 2004 by personal trainers, myself and Wil Rivera. I feel that we were ahead of our time, as we had a vision that would soon become the norm.
Coming from a big box gym, in a time when there were only big box gyms, memberships, and large group fitness classes, we wanted to open a small mom and pop studio where community, one on one and small group training were the focus.
This speakeasy gym was home to many on the Upper West Side, because it felt like home, and everyone was treated like family.
Grassroots Fitness Project (originally named, The Studio on 80th), started out as a live-work space in a residential building, and eventually developed into a thriving business in a 2,200 square foot storefront on the UWS. Steeped in community, for over 16 years, this mom and pop space is still a place where clients come because everyone knows your name.
AM: What are the programs that are offered at GRFP for those that are looking to get in a great workout?
HGR: Grassroots offers the following:
Small group training:
Hiit
Hiit express
Superset
Core and Restore
Women’s Strength 6 week Series
One on one training (adult/child):
60/45/30 minute training programs with focuses on the following:
sport specific
post rehab
general fitness
pre/post natal
osteopenia/osteoporosis
strength
mobility and flexibility
senior and youth
climbing
parkour
yoga
Pilates
in-home training
In-home Training
30 minute stretching or reiki sessions
Youth Semester Programming:
epic obstacle
parkour
tween/teen strength
Special Events
Youth Camps
Outdoor Climbing Trips
Workshops
AM: Although we’re navigating winter at the moment, are there upcoming programs offered in the Spring that our readers should know about?
HGR: YES! Our women’s strength training program.
The women’s strength classes were created based on a need and want. At the age of 30 women start to lose 3-5% of their muscle every decade and after menopause, that number increases drastically. As personal trainers, for over 20 years, we have seen this to be true first hand, and with the saturation of cardio classes in the industry, we felt it was important for us to create balance. Clients (women ages mid 30’s through 50’s) were coming in and saying that they wanted to get stronger and work on strength. This willingness gave us the green light to start strength classes for women! The classes are programmed for a 6-week cycle. Every day is the same workout for 6 weeks so that women can work on form and see improvement via increasing weight.
As an example, every Monday is the same for 6 weeks, but Tue is a different workout from Monday and so on. The program is set up for people to come every day or choose a few days or choose 1 day. We recommend 3-5 strength days per week. Depending upon goals.
We also have our core and restore class Tue/Wed/Thur for recovery work.
The strength classes focus on teaching and breaking down movements so that the client fully understands what they are doing. Strength is the focus. 8-10 minutes at the end of the class is a higher intensity portion.
AM: In addition to offering fitness classes, does GFP offer nutrition, post recovery options and more?
HGR: We don’t offer nutrition programs, as we are not nutritionists, but we do offer accountability sessions and food journal check-ins. We have found to be super effective and important for clients.
If there is a need that is specific to weight loss, eating disorders or auto immune-related, we refer out.
Post recovery, we offer manual stretching sessions, our core and restore classes and our CBD products.
AM: Are there additional services, equipment, on-demand features (for those that may wish to work out but can’t do this onsite) that are available that our readers should know about?
HGR: Additional services would be in-home sessions, online programming or Skype sessions coupled with access to our YouTube programs.
We sell an eco friendly calf stretcher and a recycled heavy rope
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