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Wellness As On-going Way of Life Is Mission of Momentum Fitness

Keeping fit has long been a way of life for Tony Vlahovic, president and founder of Momentum Fitness at 377 Wall Street. It was – and is – his desire to share the benefits of exercise, conditioning, and a healthy life-style that led him to open Momentum eight years ago this May.

"I had been in charge of a rehabilitation program in Newtown, Pa. to help patients get over injuries," he explains, "but I decided I wanted to take it a step further and create a space for everyone – people in condition, out of condition, injured, healthy, old, young, everyone!"

Always interested in conditioning and involved in sports, Mr. Vlahovic brings a unique set of credentials to his role as fitness director.

At the age of 14, after a football injury, he woke up in the middle of the night in pain and paralyzed from the waist down. Rushed to the hospital, he was found to have cancer. After surgery, he recovered completely, but the treatment process left him thin and weak. He cites this crisis as the time he recognized his mission in life.

"Even at that age, I knew that if I could take care of myself and recover, I could help others do the same."

He became his own personal trainer and fitness expert, and built himself up not only to a level of normal wellness for a teenager, but to a stage of elite athleticism. So much so, that he became a professional athlete, joining the Boston Red Sox in 1982 as a pitcher.

Unexpected Turn

His life took another unexpected turn in 1986, when on the way to spring training, his car was rear-ended by a drunk driver, and he lost his left leg.

Not only was his career as a ball player over, it took him a year and a half to learn to walk. Again, he did not give up, but facilitated his own recovery, learning everything he could about rehabilitation.

"Going through rehab, I thought about my life and life in general," he recalls. "I knew that wellness involved both the mind and body together, and the mind and body must both be active in the process.

"I decided to go back to school. My dad really pushed me to go, and I ended up attending graduate school and getting a masters in psychology (later adding certification as a sports psychologist)."

Momentum is the outgrowth of Mr. Vlahovic's personal understanding of what it takes to overcome and survive obstacles on the path of life, a skill essential both to physical training and recovery.

"One of the things I try to do now is be aware of my clients' motivation and help them identify their goals and achieve them," he explains.

Something More

A number of fitness centers were located in the area, but he wanted to offer a state-of-the-art facility, with all the latest strength and cardio equipment, but with a special focus on the well-being of each client, and a top-notch, caring staff.

"I felt there was no place with all of what I wanted to offer," he says. "The area needed something more. I wanted to build a staff that I was comfortable with, including trainers from different backgrounds. They are or become nationally-certified, and they are internally certified at Momentum, too. We have a specific program here for our trainers.

"Our staff makes a huge difference. Clients say that it feels like home here. It is such a friendly, dedicated staff. Our 14 trainers are always ready to help and advise members, if they need help adjusting a machine or someone to check their form. Helping the client is the most important thing they do.

"There is an aura about the facility, an energy to it," continues Mr. Vlahovic. And it is one of the cleanest places you'll ever see. We even have a special antiseptic detergent to wipe off the machines."

The setting is impressive and spacious, including two stories for all phases of fitness conditioning, group classes, and massage therapy. Resistance machines of every type, a variety of cardiovascular equipment (bikes, elliptical trainers, treadmills, rowing machines, etc.) free weights, as well as a heated resistance pool for aqua aerobics and continuous resistance swimming are available.

"All of our equipment is top-of-the-line," adds Mr. Vlahovic. "I try to mix different lines and pick the best machine for a particular muscle group."

State-of-the-Art

Upstairs, clients will find steam and sauna areas, state-of-the-art locker rooms, with all the amenities, showers, and individual changing areas.

Regular group classes in yoga, meditation, Pilates, spinning, cardiosculpt, kickboxing, and others are conducted by 20 to 25 certified instructors.

In addition, a cafe offers complimentary tea and coffee on a daily basis, and fruit twice a week.

Clients, who join with an initial membership fee, then pay on a month-to-month basis, are all ages, body types, and at varying levels of fitness. They are eligible to use all the equipment and take as many classes as they wish. It is a very diverse clientele, adds Mr. Vlahovic.

"We help post rehab patients, covering the spectrum, including people with knee replacements, those recovering from surgery, accidents, etc. We continue the regimen that has been established by their own rehab program. We also have athletes training here, including cyclists, and the U.S. Rowing Team."

The majority of members are representatives from the general population, however, and in many cases, age 50 and older. More tone, less sag is the target! And it's never too late. Members in their nineties avail themselves of Momentum's services.

"Many people want to lose some weight and get into some kind of condition," reports Mr. Vlahovic. "My biggest pleasure is the reward of seeing people make some changes, feel better, and feel better about themselves. It helps their confidence and self-esteem. Also, I think being in condition and exercising gives a boost to the immune system, and it certainly helps to reduce stress. This is very important."

Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals and not over-doing the work-out is also important, he emphasizes. "The program is a process. We take into consideration what people like to do and don't like, and what their capabilities are."

Once the program has been designed, working out three times a week is a realistic minimum goal, he points out. If one is conscientious, results can be seen in six weeks to two months. It is also best to rest muscles 24 to 48 hours in between workouts.

It is helpful to exercise at home, he adds. "Just walking is good. Taking the stairs instead of elevators, parking a little farther away from your destination – all this is good exercise."

In addition to the overall fitness program at Momentum, a Cancer Wellness Program, which is offered free-of-charge to cancer patients and survivors, has been available for the past four years.

"As a cancer survivor and having a successful business, I wanted to give back to the community," explains Mr. Vlahovic. "The program, which is dedicated to my father, who died of cancer on September 11, 2001, is non-profit and is free for adult cancer patients of all ages. We have people who are currently undergoing treatment or who are post-treatment.

"It meets twice a week, September through May, on Tuesday and Thursday 1:30 to 2:30. Sometimes, we have three people, and sometimes 12. It's a wonderful support group for the participants, too, as they make new friends. The program includes nutrition information, yoga, meditation, massage, aquatics, Pilates, martial arts, aerobic and strength training."

Even if people are limited in active participation, it is good for them to attend, advises Mr. Vlahovic. "It helps the person to have more self-esteem. They feel stronger. They feel their body coming back, and this helps them gain confidence. I want to get the word out so that people know this is available, and you don't have to be a Momentum member to come."

Reflecting on the long journey that has brought him to this point in time and to Momentum's success, Mr. Vlahovic says he looks forward to doing more of the same.

"I am very lucky to be living this dream, to have started a business from scratch, and have a staff that is like a second family. To have taken this from a vision to reality is a thrill.

"We look forward to growing as an organization and touching even more people in terms of their health and well-being. That is a goal worth having."

Momentum also offers a children's program for ages 8 and up. Hours are Monday through Thursday 5 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (609) 430-1050.