Time-saving fitness, figured out

Koko FitClub

34 East Park Avenue

Long Beach

(516) 442-7200

www.kokofitclub.com

If time is a valuable commodity in your life, and you’d like a personalized workout but don’t relish the “gym scene,” then Koko FitClub might be the place for you. These innovative new health club franchises are popping up all over the country, and recently, one has opened in Long Beach.

The technology of the Koko Smartraining System™ is compared to having a world-class personal trainer coaching you each time you do your 30-minute workout. Whether you want to lose weight, tone up, build muscles, condition for a sport, increase your flexibility, or all of the above, your goals will initially be defined. A year-long plan is then customized and choreographed for you, designed to work the entire body. Your own strength, limitations, and fitness level are put into the equation. Once this is done, you come in, and the Koko Smartraining machine greets you by name and guides you through the workout. Another 15 minutes on one of their Koko Cardio machines increases the effectiveness. Progressive training programs can even be designed for people with chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, bad pain, etc. The machine records the individual’s strength, range of motion, etc.

Husband and wife team, Tom and Marie Cantone, opened the Long Beach center on June 13 of this year. Both had different careers when they made the decision to start a business together. Tom had been an insurance broker based in Franklin Square, and Marie, an early education teacher in Oceanside. After researching their options, they became intrigued with the Koko FitClub concept. Plans for the near future are to open four more centers.

The Long Beach center houses five Smart Trainers, three treadmills and two elliptical machines. While Koko FitClub does not take appointments, people can call 10 minutes before getting there and an available machine will be reserved for up to five minutes. Since people are on and off the machines quickly, and the number of members is limited, there is usually no, or very little, waiting. Your progress will be tracked on a private web page.

Membership is available on an annual or month-to-month basis. The latter is slightly higher, but still less costly than a personal trainer. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent (15 is the age minimum). The height minimum is 4-feet 10-inches. Club hours are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Members get a key FOB for using the machines during unstaffed hours. Clubs are protected by security systems, cameras and a button for police that can be accessed from an iPod.