By Anna Gustafson
After opening Personal Best Fitness in Whitestone about one month ago, Cathy Quinn is one step closer to completing her goal in life.
“I want to make everyone fit one person at a time,” said Quinn, a lifelong Whitestone resident.
Quinn on Oct. 5 officially opened the business, which offers yoga, pilates, zumba, belly dancing and kickboxing classes. There is also yoga for children and seniors and personal training. Personal Best Fitness is at 21-54 Utopia Pkwy.
After spending most of her life as an athlete and years as a sports coach, Quinn said she has long believed in the merits of being physically fit and has been worried about the increase in obesity among Americans. That experience and concern inspired her to open her business, which has attracted more than 50 people to its hour- and half-hour-long classes.
“I know personally people in my life that didn’t take care of themselves, and I watched the deterioration of their health as I got older,” Quinn said. “I coach and I see kids every day that need to stay fit. I really want to emphasize that the younger generation needs to take care of themselves. It’s not about being a size 2 but being healthy and fit.”
Classes run Monday through Saturday and each course costs $16. Packages are available, including a five-class package that costs $80, a 10-course package that is $160 and a 20-class package that is $320. The 10- and 20-class packages include one free class and the 20-course package includes three classes at no cost.
Quinn, who grew up in Whitestone, now coaches softball at St. Agnes High School in College Point. She has practiced yoga, pilates, zumba and belly dancing for years and furthers her fitness regiment by running.
“I’ve run 15 half-marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks and three full marathons,” Quinn said.
A wide variety of men and women have been attracted to Personal Best Fitness, including individuals who have recently beat cancer to those who just want to see their quality of life improve.
“I really, truly want to get the message out that people need to be fit and healthy,” Quinn said. “They should be able to walk up stairs and not be out of breath.
For more information, call 718-352-4900 or visit Personal Best Fitness’ Facebook page.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 174.
