A new fitness center dedicated to kids, called My Gym, held a grand opening for a revamped location a mile away from their old spot in Fresh Meadows last week.
For 17 years, My Gym operated on Union Turnpike in Utopia Center, but its last day in operation was marked by a New Years celebration with families that regularly attended the center’s classes and events. Last week, My Gym moved 11 blocks over to 187-10 Union Tpke. The new space is larger and includes a party room where the gym could host celebrations.
“It’s just a complete dream come true to take my business and this facility to another level,” said the owner, Maria Borrero.
My Gym, which has over 700 locations around the world, is designed for kids from six months to 12 years old. For the babies and toddlers, classes with parents are focused on building fine motor skills and developing communication skills.
But the older kids, who are separating from their parents for the first time, can join fun classes such as ninja training or take a preschool prep class where they socialize with other kids their age. Older kids have programs to stay fit in one of the gymnastics or cardio classes.
Assemblymember Nily Rozic attended the grand opening on Thursday, Jan. 18 with her five-month-old daughter, who was able to try out the swings. Leaders from the Queens Chamber of Commerce, as well as the architect who designed the space, were also in attendance among new and old families.
Borrero acquired the new space in July 2020, but construction didn’t begin until Sept. 2023. With close to two decades of experience under her belt, she wanted to ensure the new gym would be a state of the art facility that could offer the families in the community even more than the previous location.
The new space features a zip line and exposed beams which serve both as an architectural feature to compliment the 12 foot ceiling, and as a place to incorporate new swings and rides.
She stressed the importance of the facility as a way for the children to socialize and build friendships while also developing a range of skills. Especially coming out from the pandemic, Borrero says that spaces like My Gym are necessary to rekindle the kids’ social skills.
“We’re a community. We celebrate the kid’s first birthday, we celebrate their first haircut, we celebrate when they go to preschool,” said Borrero. “So when people come here, it’s a home. So I’m proud of that.”
