Hundreds attend Elmont fitness clinic

Hundreds of local residents attended the “Athletic, Health and Fitness Clinic,” a free fitness clinic held on Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Valencia Gym in Elmont. The clinic — hosted by Sen. Jack M. Martins (R-Mineola) — is expected to be an annual event for all ages.

Valencia Gym, which has been in business for more than 30 years, is located at 1319 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. Lenny Vannatta, the gym's owner, as well as the staff of the gym, have partnered with Martins to create this event.

Specialized classes — including include Diet and Losing Weight, Athletic Training, Athletic Boot Camps, Diet and Fitness, Sports Clinics, Strength and Conditioning, Senior Fitness, Women’s Health and Fitness, and Male Fitness — were provided, and sessions were held for seniors, college students, men’s and women’s fitness clinics. Local fitness experts led by Lancelot Theobald, Pierre Devaris, Tony Danvers, Gael Salvant, Noam Tamir, Herve Duroseau, Mariana Alcubilla and Joyce Lopez offered their talents to attendees. Throughout the day, free samples of healthy foods, diet consultations, shakes and massage therapy sessions were offered.

Actor Mario D’Leon — from television shows "Ugly Betty," "Law and Order CSI," "One Life to Live" and recent movie blockbuster film “The Smurfs” — and MTV and feature film choreographer Lancelot Theobald also attended.

Two local Elmont athletes — Gael Salvant and Herve Duroseau — were on-hand to provide fitness expertise. Duroseau is the winner of the 2011 Daily News Golden Gloves, and will be offering a boxing training class during the day. Salvant is a well-known bodybuilder and fitness expert who has won several competitions throughout New York, and will be offering a special bodybuilding class.

Additionally, Athletic Boot Camp classes were led by NFL combine-rated trainer Pierre Devaris, who played professional Soccer for the Puerto Rico National Team, and was a DI track and field and football star at Western Michigan University. Devaris won two Gold Medals from the Central American Games for Pole Vaulting and is a special consultant to numerous professional athletes.

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