By: Fern Sidman

As Americans, we are deluged with news items concerning the deleterious health effects of carrying a few extra pounds on our frames or in some cases, dealing with the proverbial “battle with the fork” as obesity continues to plague our nation.

A great many of us tend to acquiesce to procrastination as it pertains to altering our eating habits, but the real challenge seems to be extricating ourselves from a sedentary lifestyle and getting ourselves to the gym for regular workouts and exercise classes. While some of us may be intimidated by the gym experience, there is fantastic news for those who truly want to keep in shape.

For those Brooklynites who don’t want to travel very far to attend exercise classes and for those who loathe crowded and highly impersonal surroundings, your wishes have come true.

Walking into Physique 57, located at 372 Avenue U, is tantamount to stepping into what can rightly be called the next best thing to “Nirvana.”  As a self-professed couch potato, I had absolutely no idea what to expect last week when I arrived to garner some information for this story.

I entered the lower level of the state-of-the-art medical office building which also houses a physical therapy treatment center and was warmly greeted by a very friendly receptionist in an ultra-modern lobby replete with a bottled water refrigerator with the finest of spring waters and an entire selection of the coolest and most contemporary gym gear. I must say that my favorite was the socks with the gripping on the bottom, but the leggings and other exercise gear really tickled my fancy.

Within a moment, the pièce de ré·sis·tance of the day was in front of me, when I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Physique 57 owner and hands-on operator, Marcey Gindi.  A woman with an infectious smile and jovial character, Ms. Gindi welcomed me warmly and with a palpable excitement in her voice began to show me around the brand-spanking new gym for women that celebrated its grand opening only days before.

Showing me the lockers and shower area created a sense of security as the place was clean as a whistle, so for those concerned with hygiene in public spaces in this post-Covid world, there is nothing to be concerned with on that level.

The main gym and training area was a cavernous room, with more than plenty of space to stretch and move every limb.  With exercise bars on the walls and all kinds of gym equipment, even the laziest of us will be inspired to get up and move. Unfortunately, due to scheduling difficulties I could not catch a class with a Physique 57 instructor but Marcey was kind enough to introduce me to her young and highly enthusiastic staff of professional trainers.

“Our exercise methodology is truly unique and our members are really benefitting tremendously from our classes, “ said an exuberant Marcey. She explicated that the two morning classes as well as the evening class focus on extensive stretching and working on glutes. This aerobic exercise is a powerful stimulant for the endorphins in our brains that bring us the energy necessary for exercise routines and work outs.

For her part, Marcey told me that exercise has always been of paramount importance to her personally and has helped her enormously with living the kind of healthy life-style that she does.  Exceptionally well-toned and without an ounce of fat on her slender frame, Marcey is the embodiment of ultimate fitness.

“I know just how important a regular exercise routine is and how empowered we feel when working out not only for our bodies but for our mind and spirit, “ Marcey declared with an exuberance that reverberated in her voice. She added that she was once a student of yoga and Pilates throughout the course of her life. “Our clients have achieved a new level of strength, endurance and unparalleled results with our high intensity, low impact workouts. The fact that they are low impact opens them up to just about anybody who wants a vigorous work out.”

“Our interval training and strength training delivers a safe and exhilarating experience for our clients and the energizing exercise sequences maximize every minute and deliver unmatched results in just a few workouts. Our clients have given us exceptionally positive feedback and for that we are grateful that we are there to help them in their journey to the kind of fitness that they desire,” she said.

Having lived in Manhattan with her husband for a year Marcey was introduced to Physique 57 for the first time and she immediately was taken with the classes offered.  “While residing in the city, the closest gym to where we lived was Physique 57 and I enjoyed it so much that I became a regular.  After a while, my husband and I decided to purchase a franchise and here we are, “she said.

The path to the establishment of the Physique 57 gym on Avenue U was fraught with some pretty serious obstacles, however, Marcey and her husband hung in there until this venture came to fruition.

“We had planned to start this business in February of 2020 and as we are know, the world essentially stopped for everyone in March 2020 due to the Covod-19 pandemic.  Like the rest of us, we were in limbo and our plans for this gym came to a screeching halt. It wasn’t until last year at this time, did we decide that we can now jump start this gym because Covid was in the rear view mirror, if you know what I mean,” she explained.

For Marcey, the process of establishing a branch of Physique 57 was a very personal one as she was and remains a tireless champion of giving back to the community she was raised in. “I really wanted to get Physique 57 going in this community here in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn because I wanted to share with my dear friends and community members and everyone else who resides in this area, the incredible opportunity to take part in our unique and highly effective classes. Because I gained such a great deal from Physique 57, I knew others would and I wanted to be the catalyst for them to enjoy what I have learned is so beneficial for all of us. This community has graciously given me and my family so much that I really wanted to give back, “ Marcey explained.

She added that the world-class trainers motivate and inspire her clients through dynamic movement sequences and invigorating music and that the methods that are utilized at Physique 57 meets each client where they are and equips them with the tools to witness first hand progress from the very first work out. “Our clients love seeing and feeling the changes in their bodies and frankly, there is nothing more gratifying than that, “ Marcey said.

What makes Physique 57 different from other gyms is that its method embraces a more intimate, dynamic workout environment that incorporates creative choreography. It’s based on the belief that fitness isn’t just about results.  It’s a tool for becoming the best version of yourself as well as gaining strength and confidence along the way.

According to their web site, Physique 57 was one of the first barre-based, boutique fitness studios to pop up in New York City in 2006. It was born from former Wall Street professional, Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi, and wellness expert, Tanya Becker’s shared love of the original barre class, The Lotte Berk Method. With a deep understanding of how barre workouts can strengthen, lengthen and tone with incredibly fast results, they designed their signature 57-minute workout.

The Physique 57 approach helped jumpstart a global boutique fitness phenomenon, becoming a fast favorite of wellness enthusiasts like Kelly Ripa and Sarah Jessica Parker. Just months after opening, even the waitlists had waitlists.

In 2013, Physique 57 led the barre sensation overseas, opening its first studio in Dubai. It has since expanded around the world, with multiple locations across the U.S., Dubai, Bangkok, Mumbai and Manila. To help clients bring fitness into their home and daily lives, the method was released as a DVD workout series in 2009 and eventually converted into fresh, online workout challenges. Clients can access classes live or on demand wherever they are.

Marcey said that while people are coming back to the gym for in-person classes, Physique 57 also offers Zoom classes, live streaming and all online options in which women can take part in these unique classes.

“Since our grand opening, we have 46 lifetime members and each day we are getting more clients through word of mouth referrals. This gym is not only accessible to women in this predominantly Syrian-Jewish community but we have members who are not part of the community and we are absolutely thrilled that they have chosen to be a part of what we are doing,“ Marcey explained.

As to costs, new members are offered specially discounted introductory packages. They can enjoy unlimited classes for two weeks at $99 as well as annual memberships. There are three options available as to a founding membership. Gym goers can enjoy four classes a month at $103, or 8 classes a month at $159 or unlimited classes a month at $183.

For further information about the exciting benefits of becoming part of the Physique 57 family of health conscious individuals, please contact them directly at 917-791-5003 or visit them at their website at: https://physique57.com/brooklyn/.